Who We Are

The Bly Mountain Bonanza Community Development Group is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been serving our rural community for several years. We are not a distant organization or a government program. We are your neighbors — farmers, ranchers, tradespeople, families, and retirees — who believe that a community thrives when people show up for each other.

We are based in the Bonanza and Bly Mountain area of Southeastern Oregon, a place of profound beauty and real challenges: wildfires, economic uncertainty, and the isolation that comes with rural life. We exist to make sure no one faces those challenges alone.

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Our Mission:

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To empower residents in our underserved rural community by connecting them with tools, education, and opportunities to foster economic stability and community leadership — so neighbors can support each other in times of need.

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What We Do

​Our work has two sides: everyday support and emergency response.

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Everyday Support

​We help residents build self-reliance and stability through:

• Hands-on classes — Homesteading, poultry and rabbits, horticulture, fire preparedness, food preservation, water bath canning, and pressure canning.

• Emergency home repairs and property cleanup (private and community spaces).

• Food boxes and resource assistance.

• Financial counseling (by request).

• General homestead planning and management — from solar and water systems to gardens and small livestock.

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Most classes include a free lunch and are usually held at the Bonanza Branch Library, with additional meeting space generously provided by Living Springs Fellowship Church.

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Emergency Response:

When crisis hits — especially wildfire season — we shift into coordinated action:

• We work alongside United Way during fire evacuations and other emergencies.

• Neighbors share skills and equipment to help each other evacuate horses, livestock, and other animals quickly and safely.

• We prioritize checking on elderly residents, ensuring they have transportation, medication, supplies, and a clear plan to leave if needed.

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In short: when a fire starts, we don't wait for help to arrive. We become the help.

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Our Community Partners:

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We are proud to work closely with:

• Living Springs Fellowship Church — providing meeting spaces and ongoing support

• United Way — coordinating emergency response, especially fire evacuations

• Bonanza Branch Library — hosting our class series

• Local Fire Departments and EMS

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Our Philosophy:

​We believe that strong communities are built from within. A prepared homestead is a good start. A prepared community is an unstoppable force.

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We are not about fear. We are about empowerment — replacing uncertainty with a plan, and isolation with a trusted team.

 

"We support those in need, as a community."

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Join Us:

​Whether you have skills to share, animals that may need evacuation help, or simply want to learn how to preserve your first jar of garden tomatoes — there is a place for you here.

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Your land is your kingdom. This group is your alliance.