Looking Glass staff members received Distinguished Service awards at the 2024 All Staff Meeting at Venue 252 on Wednesday, May 29th.
At this year’s All Staff Meeting, 8 Looking Glass staff members and one community partner received the Looking Glass Distinguished Service award. This annual gathering, at Venue 252 in Eugene, included lunch and a special guest speaker - Ayisha Elliot Anti-Racism Coach & Equity Strategist, Black Girl From Eugene.
Looking Glass CEO Chad Westphal, with guest speaker Ayisha Elliott
Ayisha Elliott is a Race, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive Strategist and Advisor, content producer of the Podcast Black Girl From Eugene, and award-winning columnist and public speaker. In the past 25 years, Ayisha’s distinctively unique approach strives and continues to challenge systemic status quos, while collaboratively pursuing a holistic approach in developing inclusive work environments and culture. She has an activist heart with a multiculturalist lens. Her work has a national reach while working with institutions of higher education, state level government sectors, national healthcare systems, and nonprofits.
This year’s Distinguished Service award recipients, which were nominated by their peers, were as follows (including the very kind comments by those who nominated them):
Johnny Green - HYS - Johnny’s most notable accomplishments (although there are many, many others) include creation of the PLAY Committee (HYS’ Youth Action Council), revitalizing HYS’ social media, coordinating the start of the Syringe exchange program and other harm reduction programing, navigating and creating Lane County’s Behavior Health Resource Network Hotline, and last but certainly not least being an absolute integral part in the creation and success of the PEER Shelter. Johnny is truly a one of kind human being. Their ability to balance meeting youth where they are at while simultaneously supporting them in their individual growth is nothing less than the gold standard.
Chantelle Brown - Station 7 - Chantelle was integral in ensuring HYS can provide high quality, accessible support to youth and their families who do not speak English by tirelessly advocating for partnership with a 24/7 translation service until this partnership came to fruition. They are continuing to do this essential work by their participation with the agency’s Cultural Awareness and Equity Committee and by holding all staff and programs accountable to including diversity, equity, and inclusion in each case staffing and event planning.
Katie Connor - RCC - Katie is the receptionist at RCC. Katie has been called a “ray of sunshine” by her peers. She is always willing to help where she can, with a smile on her face and great attitude. Katie also is involved in many different committees in Looking Glass including the Safety Committee and HR committee. She also goes above and beyond and does the monthly CAEC boards at RCC. Thank you Katie for all the hard work you do!
Hallie Mossman - RCC - Hallie is an extremely dependable and consistent SSA, who recently became the RCC CAEC representative. Hallie is youth-focused; she takes a professional approach and maintains a positive attitude in all aspects of her job. Hallie is a trusted lead; she makes both youth and staff feel safe and supported while working with her. Hallie also goes above and beyond to be a team player. She maintains positive regard for youth and staff and always steps up to the plate.
Irene Gomez - CP - Irene has played a key role in our counseling program’s efforts to provide linguistically and culturally responsive services to our Spanish-speaking Latine community. She is a rock star within our business team; a wonderful bilingual receptionist, intake coordinator for Spanish-speaking clients, and translator of documents. She is appreciated both by clients and staff.
Alex Potts - CP - Alex works relationally with clients, his lens is attachment and trauma-informed, client led and play-focused, while also incorporating structure and boundaries that can flex as needed to meet an individual where they are. He teaches and helps his clients practice skills while helping them to navigate challenging thoughts, developmental challenges, and their emotional worlds. He holds his clients and his coworkers in the highest regard and that is experienced by those around him.
Marielle Hart - Riverfront -Marielle wears many hats at Riverfront including Education Supervisor, Language Arts teacher, and curriculum specialist. Marielle embraces the Looking Glass mission and values. Marielle is respected by her coworkers and is role model and mentor for Riverfront teachers. She provides a culturally responsive and inclusive classroom to create an equitable learning environment for all students.
Lynda Whitener - Center Point - She leads with wisdom, patience, and humanity. She encourages originality and creativity. For her team, she offers room for personal responsibility and growth in the work that we do. Her leadership has helped many youths navigate difficult waters to find hope for a more successful and fulfilling future. Our school, our organization, and our community are all greatly bettered by her sacrifices and her service.
Dr. Van Scoy - COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD -
This award was nominated by staff at the Looking Glass Regional Crisis Center - Dr Van Scoy has been the local Primary Care Physician for all RCC youth since it’s beginning. His dedication to providing care to our youth is unwavering. Dr. Van Scoy has a commitment and passion to helping our youth and we are continuously grateful for him, as well as the nurses and staff at the South Hilyard Clinic.