Updates from Looking Glass
"We are thrilled to once again find our agency name listed within the Top 100 Nonprofits in Oregon," said Looking Glass CEO Chad Westphal. "It is a testament to our incredible and diverse team of staff. They have worked to create and sustain a supportive team culture that is always prepared to respond to the needs of our most vulnerable community members. I am thankful for and proud of all of them."
Also check out a new VIDEO from our happy employees!
In December of 2023, Looking Glass Center Point School applied for and received funding from the 2023 EWEB Electric Mobility Community Grant to purchase an electric vehicle and charging station. Staff did a ton of research on cars and charging stations and, in the end, purchased a 2023 Kia Niro EV and Emporia charging station. Staff members mostly utilize the vehicle to run errands for school needs, including picking up food and other items for the students. The time and cost savings for Looking Glass has been extremely helpful.
Looking Glass New Roads Kitchen Remodel is underway and we need YOUR help with temporary outdoor kitchen services. Beginning in May the New Roads day program for homeless youth services will begin construction on the current kitchen to enable cooking of full meals. To-date, the New Roads staff have been without adequate ventilation and equipment to provide a full kitchen and thus meals have been quite challenging to provide 3 times per day to homeless youth.
At the annual board meeting for Looking Glass Community Services, held this year at The Graduate Hotel on Wednesday, November 1st, CEO and President Craig Opperman presented the Looking Glass Community Leadership Award to Oregon Department of Human Services Director, Fariborz Pakseresht. This year’s annual board meeting included an update on the state of the agency, by Opperman, and was hosted by board member, Mary Reilly.
Looking Glass Community Services has opened a new, low-barrier homeless youth shelter called the PEER Shelter (PEER stands for Persevere, Enlighten, Empower, Renew). The 24-hour accessible low-barrier shelter is for youth ages 16 – 24 years old who are unhoused or otherwise in crisis. The shelter provides youth at risk of being victimized on the streets, a safe, supervised living environment, medical care, basic needs, case management, and substance abuse and mental health treatment access to assist them in moving towards stabilization.
Dr. Patrick Luedtke, Lane County’s Senior Public Health Officer, as well as the Chief Medical Officer for the department of Health & Human Services, served as the keynote speaker at this year’s Looking Glass annual board meeting, held Wednesday, November 2nd at The Graduate in Eugene.
This year’s meeting also included a recognition of a longtime supporter of Looking Glass, Linda Hamilton, who was presented with the Looking Glass Community Leadership award for her ongoing stewardship and advocacy.
Looking Glass Riverfront School & Career Center is offering summer GED instruction for youth ages 14 to 21 and paid outdoor work crew opportunities for ages 16 to 21. Also providing a Teen parent Work Experience Program.
Crew members remove invasive species, collect native seeds, plant native species, build small structures, remove fences, and assist in the renovation and maintenance of park sites.
This past month, we asked our community to help accrue more yarn for the Pathways Girl Program, who have been crocheting as a form of therapy. We are so thrilled that many of our donors and local community members came together to help us obtain over 10+ boxes and bags full of yarn. This will allow the girls to continue to master their crochet techniques as well as helping them with their recovery during their stay at the Pathways Program.
Happening at Looking Glass:
Looking Glass Counseling Program received a grant from MHS 20 Funding through Lane County HHS and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) health equity grant funds that funded Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC) support groups, which allowed us to host 10 sessions of hourly long Zoom Telehealth meetings. Both facilitators identify as BIPOC, to help assist in cultivating an inclusive environment. This support group is open not only to Looking Glass clients, but to community members, as well.
Center Point School held their physically distanced graduation in the parking lot behind the school on Friday, June 18th. We held an individualized ceremony for each of our 4 graduates with their families in attendance. William’s graduation is highlighted here. Center Point School Director, Lynda Whitener made opening statements. “About 25% of students in the U.S. do not graduate from high school because of the commitment and hard work that it takes; you should feel so proud of yourself for accomplishing this, despite all of the challenges you have faced.”
On Thursday, June 17th, we celebrated the achievements of our high school graduates from Riverfront School and Career Center. The graduation was socially distanced with graduates and families gathered around their cars and in their family “pods”. Two Looking Glass board members were in attendance - Jeanne Staton and Paul Frishkoff. The key-note speaker this year was longtime Looking Glass supporter Pat Frishkoff. Thank you to everyone who participated in this awesome celebration!
Looking Glass Riverfront School is pleased to announce that we will be offering a Summer Enrichment Program for 4j students. Students in grades 9 – 12 can sign up for one or more courses. There is no eligibility requirement to participate. Credit will be granted in Language Arts, science, social studies, health, applied and fine arts, PE, and electives. First Aid/CPR certification will be available as well as a limited number of paid summer work experience slots.
