Updates from Looking Glass
The annual Looking Glass staff picnic event, held on Wednesday, August 28th at Alton Baker Park, included a recognition and “Guiding Light” award given to Pat and Paul Frishkoff, longtime board members and supporters. The “Guiding Light” award is given to longtime supporters and true advocates for Looking Glass programs and staff and none were more deserving of this award than the Frishkoff’s.
Every day, Looking Glass residential treatment clients are taken to the Eugene YMCA to play basketball and use the exercise equipment as part of their healing and education on living a full, healthy life.
“The YMCA is a safe way to get the clients' energy out - in our residential facilities, clients got to where they are by making some bad choices usually when they do not have healthy alternatives to those lifestyles,” Explained Aaron Hinkley, a Program Supervisor for Pathways Boys and PRD programs.
Looking Glass is a proud founding member of the Child and Adolescent Network (CAN). Over decades of experience hosting a 24-hour crisis line for parents and children in Lane County, starting in 2005 the need for non-police crisis intervention became apparent. Working with Jasper Mountain and The Child Center, we expanded the 24/7 Crisis Line (541-689-3111) to become the Crisis Response Program (CRP) that combines the crisis line with in-person interventions when necessary.
A group of Looking Glass supporters, board members, staff and elected officials met on Wednesday, July 10th to celebrate the successful opening and operation of the new Regional Crisis Center. Supporters included Department of Human Services Director Fariborz Pakseresht, PeaceHealth CEO Mary Kingston, Oregon State Representative Nancy Nathanson and Oregon State Senator James Manning.
A group of supporters, staff and board members gathered at Hop Valley in Eugene on Tuesday to thank Amy and Alex Haugland and recognize the impact of their help facilitating a $50,000 donation from Alex’s father’s Oregon Community Foundation fund. The Haugland’s offered these funds from the Richard P. Haugland Fund as a way to challenge other local donors to step up and try and raise $100,000 in total. Over the course of about 8 weeks, Looking Glass received donations large and small from roughly 85 individual donors and the full match was achieved!
A gathering of Looking Glass counseling clients and family members enjoyed a casual evening of fun, food and prizes at the Eugene Science Center on Tuesday, June 25th. The Intensive Outpatient Support Services counseling group (IOSS) is a strength-based, team oriented, and community involved approach focused on making positive changes in a child’s individual and family functioning level. The family fun nights, a new initiative, are offered quarterly and aim to allow the youth and families an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing and fun environment in a safe and stimulating venue.
This year we had some amazing high school graduates from our three alternative schools. Riverfront, Center Point, and New Roads School provide high school degrees and GEDs to youth needing a specialized school environment. Our students have overcome much to reach graduation. From mental illness, learning disabilities, poverty, trauma, and other barriers to reach their education goals, we are so proud of all our students have accomplished.
An article published in The Register-Guard on Saturday, June 22nd outlined details surrounding a former counselor employed at Looking Glass’s Kyanite residential treatment program who was terminated in January. An internal investigation led Looking Glass staff to alert the Eugene Police immediately and the investigation by EPD is ongoing. “Upon discovering the alleged actions of this former employee, we immediately contacted Eugene Police, “ said Craig Opperman, Looking Glass CEO and President. “We are unable to comment further about this matter as it is an ongoing investigation.”
When “Sally” first came to use Looking Glass services, she was unable to leave her room in order to attend therapy sessions. Instead, Looking Glass made home visits and offered support in the space where she was most comfortable. Over time, working with our Counseling program’s Intensive Outpatient Support Services (IOSS), “Sally” eventually moved therapy sessions to her living room and, ultimately, made it into the Looking Glass counseling building. This June, “Sally” will graduate from the Riverfront School ‘s GED program and has applied for college.
Looking Glass’ Cultural Awareness and Equity Committee (CAEC) provides a yearly scholarship to Looking Glass staff to further their training and education to improve cultural sensitivity in the care we provide our clients. Through a generous expansion of the scholarship fund, Alexis Yalon and Lindsay Fairchild were each granted $1,000 to go towards upcoming training opportunities.
The week of June 3rd was Spirit Week at Looking Glass' Center Point School. The activities of the week ended with an open house at the school preceding graduation events on Thursday, June 13th.
