Samantha Patterson
(she / her)
Activities/Volunteer Coordinator

Samantha has been working for JBarJ Youth services for over a year and is also a full-time college student born and raised in beautiful Bend, Oregon. True to being a Bendite, She loves rock climbing, paddle boarding, hiking, caving, swimming, and floating the river. When the weather doesn’t permit for the rest of the year, Samantha loves a good book (fantasy, normally) in a café with over-priced coffee or watching movies. Her schedule is pretty hectic between working at the Academy, going to school, and taking care of her niece over the weekends though she finds the hecticness of it all fuels her optimism about life.

She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University (Go Beavs!). Samantha recently graduated from Central Oregon Community College with an associate degree in Sociology. In just seven more terms, she plans to transition into the Peace Corps, where she aspires to work on public health initiatives in Guatemala while continuing her mission to make a positive impact on the lives of youth and families.

Growing up throughout her life, Samantha has always known she wants to be in the helping profession servings troubled youth. Her experiences with dysfunctional family patterns, poverty and addiction have allowed her to grow from many difficult circumstances while developing resilience and insight. Empowering young individuals and families to overcome adversity, whether similar or distinct from her own experiences, brings her immense pride and joy. She extends her gratitude to the Academy and the families we are privileged to serve.