Spring Break
Reach Out Yoga raising money for mind, body awareness
Non-profit organization offers yoga to those who might not normally have access to it
Lauren Sigel
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: News
Reach Out Yoga, a nonprofit organization based in Corvallis, is more than aware of the benefits that yoga can bring to a person's body and mind.
According to their website, their mission is to bring the "transformative power of yoga" to at-risk populations in Corvallis and surrounding communities.
On Nov. 21, Reach Out Yoga held their first fundraiser at the Corvallis Odd Fellows Hall.
The fundraiser included a silent auction, a yoga class with live music and a dance party. The goals were to raise the necessary funds to file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the federal government (a necessary process for non-profit organization), to provide financial resources for immediate needs and to raise awareness in the community about the work Reach Out Yoga is doing around Corvallis.
Lisa Wells, the president of the board of directors for Reach Out Yoga as well as its founder, started the program in the fall of 2006 teaching at Linus Pauling Middle School.
The students in this particular class had a variety of issues that made focusing difficult, and according to the website, the yoga class "included poses, movement, breath and relaxation skills that gave each student opportunities to succeed."
Matthew Hartman, Liz Riley and Dave Chiller joined Wells during the summer of 2007 and adopted the name Reach Out Yoga.
"There are a lot of at-risk teens and adults who are 'on the edge' in their lives due to a number of factors," Wells said. "These factors include homelessness, addiction and alcoholism."
Reach Out Yoga currently serves the Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Milestones Inpatient Treatment Facility, Old Mill Center, The Children's Farm Home and a free community yoga class for teens.
They are planning on expanding their offerings during the coming year to the Benton County Jail and Detention Center and the Benton County Drug Court via a free community class for people in recovery from addiction.
They also plan to return to College Hill High School, an alternative-learning high school that works to keep students from dropping out before graduation.
According to their website, their mission is to bring the "transformative power of yoga" to at-risk populations in Corvallis and surrounding communities.
On Nov. 21, Reach Out Yoga held their first fundraiser at the Corvallis Odd Fellows Hall.
The fundraiser included a silent auction, a yoga class with live music and a dance party. The goals were to raise the necessary funds to file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the federal government (a necessary process for non-profit organization), to provide financial resources for immediate needs and to raise awareness in the community about the work Reach Out Yoga is doing around Corvallis.
Lisa Wells, the president of the board of directors for Reach Out Yoga as well as its founder, started the program in the fall of 2006 teaching at Linus Pauling Middle School.
The students in this particular class had a variety of issues that made focusing difficult, and according to the website, the yoga class "included poses, movement, breath and relaxation skills that gave each student opportunities to succeed."
Matthew Hartman, Liz Riley and Dave Chiller joined Wells during the summer of 2007 and adopted the name Reach Out Yoga.
"There are a lot of at-risk teens and adults who are 'on the edge' in their lives due to a number of factors," Wells said. "These factors include homelessness, addiction and alcoholism."
Reach Out Yoga currently serves the Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Milestones Inpatient Treatment Facility, Old Mill Center, The Children's Farm Home and a free community yoga class for teens.
They are planning on expanding their offerings during the coming year to the Benton County Jail and Detention Center and the Benton County Drug Court via a free community class for people in recovery from addiction.
They also plan to return to College Hill High School, an alternative-learning high school that works to keep students from dropping out before graduation.
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