Updates from Looking Glass
Looking Glass has been selected as this year’s exclusive nonprofit beneficiary for the 2021 Market Fest event held September 10-12 along the streets and shops nearby 5th Street Market.
“This is quite an honor,” explained Looking Glass Director of Marketing & Development, Tyler Mack. “To be selected among so many worthy nonprofits in the area is humbling. We look forward to the great exposure our organization will receive and the funding of course as well.”
Lane Transit District’s Transportation Options Marketing Specialist Julia Woolley helped coordinate a week long series of free bike tune ups provided to Looking Glass staff members as a way to give back to social service workers affected by the pandemic.
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.”
Looking Glass Human Resources Specialist, Tiffany Rosman, and therapist Maiyra Espinoza, share tips for good self-care for anyone working in a high stress environment. This video was created for internal training purposes, but staff members want it shared more broadly as these tips may be helpful to other organizations. [VIDEO]
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.
The Looking Glass Rural Program, with current 500 square foot facility in Cottage Grove, hopes to expand services and capacity by nearly 400% when it moves into a new building down the street which is just under 2,000 square feet and has much higher visibility from the road as well.
Purchased in 2019, the new facility is in need of major renovations before staff can move in and serve clients.
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.
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.
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.
