Tonya's House

The Board of Directors for Tonya’s House has refined the organization’s policies and bylaws thanks to an agreement with Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI).

Through a funding contract with GOBHI, Tonya’s House will partner with Lifeways to provide housing and life skills training to at-risk females ages 13 up to 18, as well as outreach services to at-risk youth and their families.

Per the agreement, GOBHI will provide funds to Tonya’s House for girls living in Tonya’s House who meet the Lifeways intake criteria. This has allowed Tonya’s House Director Sondra Kerby to hire more staff to supervise residents at the house 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide care for up to five girls at a time.

Tonya’s House coordinates with Lifeways to develop a treatment program and life skills training to residents to help them transition back to life outside of Tonya’s House. Tonya’s House creates an environment where these teenage girls can focus on their education, life skills, health care and reuniting with their families.

“This funding will enhance our ability to fulfill our original mission by providing greater financial stability and also an expanded range of relationships with local service organizations,” said Tonya’s House Board Chairman Chris Burford.

The on-going support from community agencies and individuals has allowed Tonya’s House to provide housing and life skill services to teenage girls and outreach to male and female teens since 2001, when the organization was founded by ElRae Wells. Without this support Tonya’s House would not have survived. The GOBHI funding allows expansion of Tonya’s House services to serve more youth and revamp the therapy strategy.

The support has been from hundreds of individuals, in the form of volunteer work on the house, supplies, and monetary gifts. Community agencies such as Umatilla-Morrow United Way, CAPECO, the Wildhorse Foundation, the Pendleton Foundation Trust, service clubs and other generous donors have also assisted. Periodically, grants have been received and there is an annual fundraiser. Donations of everyday supplies, such as paper towels, cleaning supplies, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and laundry or dishwasher detergent also are donated by the community. To make a donation, contact Sondra Kerby at 541-276-2900. All donations are tax-deductible. Tonya’s House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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