That evening almost 20 of her neighbors showed up and demanded to know what the emergency was all about. She was moved so much that she immediately called a meeting at her home with neighbors. Loretta couldn’t sit back and allow the town she loved and its future to be turned over to drugs. That moment in time ten years ago changed Loretta Hoagland’s life forever. What happened next is compelling and heartwarming. As the true events of this story unfold, it becomes clear that love, faith, big dreams, passion and the determination of ordinary people resulted in what many perceive as a “miracle.” “This can’t happen in my town!” she wanted to shout. To her dismay, Loretta observed the kids completing a “drug buy!” She was shocked and angry. But while she watched, something happened as the kids walked to the steps of the home they were approaching. Loretta always worried about kids not having any place to go or anything to do in this little town 12 miles away from Lincoln City to the north and Newport to the south.

No doubt they were going to have a fun gathering of friends after school. They were approaching another home up the hill. They looked like good kids, dressed nicely, full of enthusiasm, and handsome, probably just got out of school. The history of Neighbors for Kids and the Kids Zone After-School Program begins on a beautiful afternoon along the Oregon coast while Loretta Hoagland was sitting on her porch overlooking Depoe Bay, the “smallest harbor in the world.” Loretta observed several young teens walking by her home and up the hill. Jack and Maggie Brown and Loretta Hoagland. The community of Depoe Bay and surrounding areas will be forever grateful for the special contributions of NFK’s original Board and team: Dr. As written by Steve Sparks, NFK Board member, including contributions from NFK Board members, staff, students and other stakeholders.

Lawrence Park by Loretta Hoagland