FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chamber Leadership Class selects the Asante Foundation’s Francis Cheney Family Place for community initiative

MEDFORD, Ore. (December 16, 2024) – The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County’s 2024 Leadership Class selected the Asante Foundation’s Francis Cheney Family Place for its annual community service initiative. This initiative will aim to enhance this vital resource for Asante patients and their families.

Cheney Place provides affordable, temporary lodging for patients and their families receiving care at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center or nearby Asante facilities. Located within walking distance of Rogue Regional, the 8,000-square-foot facility serves as a home-away-from-home for patients and their families traveling from outside the Medford area. Thoughtfully designed, Cheney Place ensures that patients and their loved ones have a comfortable, supportive environment during challenging times.

The Chamber Leadership Program, a flagship initiative of The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County, equips local business leaders with essential skills to drive community development. Each year, its participants select a capstone project to benefit the community. This year’s focus on Cheney Place highlights the class’s commitment to strengthening local organizations that provide essential, affordable resources to local families in need.

The 2024 Leadership Class will tackle several key upgrades to the Francis Cheney Family Place, including:

• Modernizing its living quarters with updated furniture and linens;
• Expanding its laundry facilities with an additional washer and dryer;
• Enhancing its outdoor aesthetics with refreshed landscaping;
• Revitalizing its kitchen with a new tile backsplash;
• Adding an outdoor play structure for its younger guests; and
• Restocking its food pantry.

“We believe this project will have a positive impact on countless families across Southern Oregon, providing essential resources and support to those in need for many years to come,” said Mandy Hurley, co-project chair of the 2024 Chamber Leadership Class.  

The Chamber Leadership Class is seeking donations to help fund materials, equipment, and labor for these improvements. Donations can be made to the Rogue Valley Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID No. 93-0903879), and may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution.  

Media Contacts:

Isis Thornton-Saunders                                                                                                 

Leadership Co-Project Chair                                                                                       

 (785) 410-1345 | isis@ustrategies.org

Mandy Hurley                                                                                                                

Leadership Co-Project Chair                                                                                        

(541) 944-8263 | mandy.hurley@peoplesbank.bank

MORE ABOUT THE CHAMBER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Chamber Leadership Program cultivates a deep understanding of the Rogue Valley and its dynamic community. By offering participants a comprehensive, hands-on experience, the program inspires commitment to the region and equips emerging leaders to address future demands. Since its launch in 1983, this distinguished and highly regarded program has graduated over 1,000 individuals, many of whom now serve as influential leaders shaping the growth and vitality of the Rogue Valley.