A BRIEF HISTORY
IVCanDO has been supporting the Illinois River Valley since 1995…
…when an ambitious group of volunteers from rural Josephine County obtained funding from the USDA to become one of 36 nationwide Enterprise Communities, and obtained funding to draft the first ever community strategic plan. Formerly known as the Illinois Valley Community Response Team (IVCRT), these dedicated community members worked to improve the quality of life for Illinois Valley residents by building strong partnerships and new institutions focused on tourism, infrastructure improvements, educational support, and economic development.
In 2005, IVCRT adopted our current name, Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (affectionately known as IVCanDO) to better describe the focus of the organization you know today!
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
You might know us from…
IVCanDO has successfully supported a variety of important local projects – of the past and present – throughout the Illinois Valley, including:
Operating Oregon Caves Outfitters from 2001 – 2018, contracting with the National Park Service to provide lodging, restaurant, and gift shop services at the historic Chateau Lodge at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve.
Supporting the formation of the Kerby Water District, securing over $3.2 million and a long-term partnership with the City of Cave Junction to provide over 200 residents of Kerby with a reliable water supply and strategically placed fire hydrants to for increase fire resiliency.
Increased accessibility, recreation opportunities and safety at Forks State Park in partnership with Oregon State Parks that includes trail improvements, a dedicated park host, plans to build a natural playground and equine facilities. IVCanDO collaborated with the community and our partners to formalize our Adopt-A-Park agreement to ensure the park is kept open, accessible and safe for all.
In partnership with Oregon State Parks and Bureau of Land Management, improved trail accessibility, added carved wood benches, and plans to improve parking area, facilities, and interpretive signage.
Providing an opportunity for Illinois Valley residents to support child-focused programs by donating bottles and cans. Since 2017, Cans for Kids has raised over $ for these important programs!
OUR MISSION
The Illinois Valley Community Development Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to collaborative programs and inclusive partnerships that improve and change lives across communities of rural southwest Oregon. With a community based strategic plan focused on People, Place, and Prosperity, we champion sustainable development for vibrant economic, social, and cultural conditions.
OUR CORE VALUES
Start from a place of Respect & Service
We approach every project with the knowledge that we are solving a need as identified by the community. Our purpose is defined through a collaborative process, not the whims of the loudest voice in the room.
Culture of Collaboration & Connectivity
We are just one member of a team, and we strive to honor and utilize the unique skill sets each player brings to the field. The way we make a difference in our community is by bringing people together.
Dedicated to Engagement & Diversity
Our office has more than an open-door policy, it has no door at all. When we set a table for innovation, problem-solving and creativity, everyone is automatically invited to take a seat. We will always value those who make the effort to show up, but we’ll also consider who is missing and why. When needed, we’ll go to them, wherever that might be.
Partnerships and innovation drive our lasting results.
To accomplish a stated goal, we’re willing to wear many hats and play many parts. We pride ourselves in knowing when to step-up and when to step back. We depend on new voices to join and inspire our work. And when these leaders emerge, we promise to support them – every step of the way.
Equal Opportunity
The Illinois Valley Community Development Organization is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our Team
Lindsey Jones oversees relationships, resources, and results for their organization. She loves all of IVCanDO’s projects, but she is particularly passionate about expanding and improving the wheelchair accessible trail at Rough and Ready Wayside. She has a very special connection with that area—so special that her husband and she took their wedding photos there! Lindsey also looks forward to any project where they are engaging collaboratively with other groups. She believes in the power of partnerships and utilizing her unique skills and strengths to achieve their goals. It all seems possible in the Illinois Valley, which is her favorite thing about living there. If someone wants to get something done, there is a way to do it and people to help!
Diana is IVCanDO’s Finance & Operations Manager, keeping the organization running smoothly through her steady leadership and attention to detail. She ensures strong financial systems, clear processes, and dependable support for the team and community partners. Her family moved to Oregon in 1976, and she’s loved the Illinois Valley ever since. Surrounded by forests and wildlife, she finds peace in rural living. Outside of work, Diana enjoys cooking and baking, reading, working on her property, and spending time with her animals — finding joy in the simple rhythms of life that make the Valley feel like home.
Erika joined the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDO) to be part of a team dedicated to supporting the people and places of our community. Drawn to the Valley’s beauty and spirit, Erika first visited in 2017 to see her son—and quickly knew she had found home.
With a professional background as a chemist, Erika now channels her energy into more grounded passions: gardening, spending time with her animals, and enjoying family life here in the Valley. She’s a devoted animal advocate, active grant writer for pet-centered nonprofits, and currently serves on the board of Rescue Pink, an organization focused on expanding access to low-cost spay and neuter services.
Joy leads IVCanDO’s Energy & Infrastructure Team with dedication, creativity, and a deep commitment to improving living conditions across the Illinois Valley.
The projects she leads includes community-centered work with organizations such as Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority, where she supports initiatives that prioritize rural and underserved populations. At IVCanDO, she has grown into her role through hands-on experience — learning the ins and outs of energy efficiency, residential retrofits, and program delivery one project at a time.
Joy manages a wide range of partnerships and coordinates with contractors, homeowners, and agencies to help bring real, tangible upgrades to local homes. Whether coordinating air purifier distributions, launching workshops, or troubleshooting heat pump installs, she’s a driving force behind the program’s momentum and accessibility.
Joy believes that everyone deserves a comfortable, efficient home — and she’s proud to lead a team helping make that possible.
Rheanna Spivey is IVCanDO’s new Project Team Lead for Energy & Infrastructure Programs, supporting weatherization, clean energy upgrades, and efficiency efforts throughout the Illinois Valley.
A proud graduate of Illinois Valley High School, Rheanna served in the United States Navy, where she had the opportunity to travel the world and gain a deeper understanding of diverse communities and the importance of strong support systems. Her past experience includes community-focused work, such as helping senior and disabled residents access secure, affordable housing at Valley Village Apartments in Cave Junction — a role that deepened her passion for supporting vulnerable populations.
Rheanna is excited to bring her skills and passion for service to IVCanDO’s energy team, where she will help coordinate projects that improve comfort, reduce utility costs, and support local contractors.
In her free time, Rheanna enjoys gardening, working in her flower beds, and going on nature walks with her dogs. Her husband of 23 years and their two children are the heart of her world.
Sydney is a Project Assistant on the IVCanDO Energy & Infrastructure Team, bringing heart, experience, and a deep love for the Illinois Valley to her role. A lifelong local, Sydney returned to her childhood home five years ago after attending college and living in both San Diego and Grants Pass.
Prior to joining IVCanDO, Sydney spent eight years with a company that gave her the opportunity to travel abroad — including a life-changing two-week trip to Tanzania, which remains one of her most impactful experiences.
Today, she finds joy in raising her three children alongside her husband, spending time in the outdoors, and soaking up all that the valley has to offer. Whether hiking, horseback riding, or gathering with friends and family, Sydney values connection, community, and care.
She’s excited to be part of an organization that gives back to the place she calls home — and where her children will grow up.
Tom is a Project Assistant on the IVCanDO Energy & Infrastructure Team, bringing with him a rich background shaped by hands-on work, mentorship, and a love for the outdoors. His life has unfolded through a series of diverse and meaningful roles — from chimney inspector and arborist to youth climbing team coach — each one offering valuable experiences that continue to inform his work and perspective today.
Whether guiding young climbers or assessing trees, Tom has always gravitated toward roles that blend problem-solving with service. His passion for the natural world and his commitment to working with integrity led him to IVCanDO, where he now supports residential energy projects that strengthen homes and communities.
Drawn to the Illinois Valley for its incredible diversity of trees, mountains, and people, Tom is excited to contribute to a mission that uplifts the region he’s proud to call home.
Shawn coordinates IVCanDO’s Cans for Kids program, helping local organizations receive and organize community bottle and can donations. His work supports youth programs and activities across the Illinois Valley — one can at a time!
You can bring your clean, uncrushed recyclable bottles and cans every Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. behind our local Chevron to support local kids and say hello to Shawn while you’re there.
If your organization would like to sign up for a Saturday collection, reach out to info@ivcdo.org to learn more about how to get involved.
Sodie may not say much, but she sure knows how to rally a community. As the official mascot of IVCanDonate – Cans for Kids, Sodie brings a little extra cheer to Saturday mornings and reminds us all that small efforts can make a big impact.
Whether she’s perched near the donation trailer or making guest appearances on social media, Sodie represents the heart of the program: consistency, care, and a wagging tail of encouragement for every volunteer group that shows up to help. She’s especially fond of kids, high-fives, and the occasional can-shaped treat.
Because when it comes to showing up for our neighbors? Sodie CanDO.
Originally from Salem Massachusetts, her love of nature and desire to live amidst the mountains
brought her to the Illinois Valley where the wild rivers and full forests set her soul at ease. In her
professional life, Autumn has experience in administrative work, managing business in metropolitan and
rural areas alike. She admires the unique and palpable community presence in the area and is excited to
aid in bringing your dreams of a future to fruition. In her new role as Business and Economic
Development Manager, Autumn is looking forward to becoming a strong ally for business owners and
entrepreneurs that share your vision of what this valley deserves.
Mercy is IVCanDO’s Communications & Outreach Coordinator, helping amplify the organization’s story and strengthen community connections across the Illinois Valley. A Selma native, she left for love and education, earning her MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix and spending 17 years in healthcare. Her lifelong passion for service includes volunteering with PTA, AltaMed, the National Association of African Americans in HR, and local soup kitchens. Now back home, she’s embracing her tiny-house homesteading journey with her boyfriend, four dogs, and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys teaching painting classes, hiking local trails, and designing creative projects in Canva.