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Marion County approves $150,000 opioid-settlement grant for Valor Mentoring youth coffee shop in north Salem
Summary
The board approved a $150,000 grant from opioid settlement funds to Brothers of Valor Inc. (Valor Mentoring) to open a public-access, substance-free coffee shop at 2421 Lancaster Drive NE to provide mentoring, after-school programming and a safe space for youth.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $150,000 grant agreement on June 25 with Brothers of Valor Inc. (doing business as Valor Mentoring) to support development of a public-access, substance-free coffee shop and youth mentoring space at 2421 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem.
Kelly Luis, Marion County community services director, presented the agreement and said the project was routed to opioid settlement funds after county staff reviewed CDBG/HOME submissions and identified an alternate funding source. The grant term is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Tim Davis, founder and CEO of Brothers of Valor Inc., described planned daily after-school programming, partnerships with local schools and law enforcement, and a 24-hour first-responder access arrangement for officers to take breaks. Davis said the proposed site sits across from McKay High School and that students from McKay, McNary and Blanchet have been engaged through an advisory board to help shape programming and menu choices.
Commissioners discussed the project's focus on preventing early substance use and opioid involvement; staff confirmed the source as opioid settlement funds. Commissioners expressed support for building relationships between youth and public safety and noted that community health workers (CHWs) and counseling hours would be offered at the facility.
A motion to approve the grant agreement was made and seconded; the board voted in favor by voice vote.
County staff listed the project as scheduled to begin in the new fiscal year, with the county and community partners aiming to open programming by the start of school in September. The county recorded the location, grant amount, term and funding source in the action record.
