Looking Glass Blog — Looking Glass Community Services

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Girl Scout Troop #24761 Donation Drive

Girl Scout Troop #24761 Donation Drive

This past May and June, Girl Scout Troop #24761 hosted a donation drive to collect toiletry items for Homeless Youth.

Their leader, Amy Mahady reached out to Looking Glass to learn more about the services offered so that the girls’ could learn more about how homelessness impacts youth in our community.

Looking Glass Development Coordinator, Amanda Zacharda, joined on a Zoom call during one of their meetings and was able to educate the Troop about all of the services provided at Looking Glass, especially the Homeless Youth Services.

The girls were able to come up with over 30 bags of toiletry items to donate, along with $350+ donations from multiple businesses in our community.

Homeless Youth Services - Youth Action Committee

Homeless Youth Services - Youth Action Committee

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) is a group of homeless youth ages 16-21, who access services from New Roads, Station 7, or New Roads School. The group consists of 6 youth and are hoping to expand to 8-12 youth in the future. They meet once a month at New Roads School and are served dinner as part of the meeting.

One of the goals of the group is to provide feedback in how we serve homeless youth in our Homeless Youth Services at Looking Glass. They will provide input on how the program is running, what changes they would want, and what ideas they have for the community.

Thank a Youth Worker Day & Teacher Appreciation Week

Thank a Youth Worker Day & Teacher Appreciation Week

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week & Thank A Youth Worker Day… we’d like to celebrate our staff and say thanks for your hard work!

The Development Director, Tyler Mack & his assistant delivered Starbucks Coffee & Lochmead Ice Cream appreciation treats to Looking Glass programs as a way to say thanks to our staff and teachers on Thank A Youth Worker Day & Teacher Appreciation Week.

Looking Glass staff and teachers make a difference in youth and families lives throughout Lane County. Thank you for all that you do!

Thank you to Starbucks at Valley River Center & Dari Mart for the coffee & ice cream and helping us show our appreciation to our staff this week.

Staff Spotlight: Ken Downing

Staff Spotlight: Ken Downing

For the past 9 years, Ken Downing has been Center Point School’s Social Skills Development Teacher. Center Point School is an Oregon Department of Education registered private alternative school which offers academic services in a therapeutic environment for middle and high school aged youth with emotional, neurological, developmental, and/or behavioral challenges.

Ken received his degree in Behavioral Psychology with a minor in Philosophy and a 2-year music studies diploma with guitar emphasis from Utah State University in 1990. He can be seen using his guitar to teach during class, which has been engaging for youth.

Peer Support Specialist Spotlight

Peer Support Specialist Spotlight

Looking Glass Counseling Program is excited to have received funding from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for a grant that will enhance our counseling service offerings by integrating a strengths-based, trauma-informed Youth Peer Support Program. This funding allows the Counseling Program to directly support those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many socio-economic and cultural barriers for people of color to receive social services, including mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment.

Youth Development Division Funding

Youth Development Division Funding

The Youth Development Division (YDD) awarded Looking Glass with a grant that provides funding for Reengagement programs within our Riverfront School and our Adjudicated Youth Services (AYS) School. Reengagement programs are focused on providing young individuals with support and access to education, with the goal of completing high school and finding a career path or post-secondary education.

National Safe Place Partnership

National Safe Place Partnership

National Safe Place is a national program that provides youth with safe places to seek help 24-hours per day. Youth ages 11-17 can access any of the 68 Safe Place sites across Lane County identified by the yellow and black diamond-shaped signs.

Counseling Program Spotlight

Counseling Program Spotlight

The Looking Glass Counseling Program is here to support you! All of our therapists have transitioned to working with clients via telehealth with limited in-person services. The last year has been filled with many uncertainties, which can cause high levels of stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression. If you are looking to inquire about our counseling services, please call our office at (541) 484-4428. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking services, please call (541) 246-2256.