Runaway and Homeless Services

Staff Spotlight: Trafficking Prevention Specialist and Survivor Advocate

Staff Spotlight: Trafficking Prevention Specialist and Survivor Advocate

The Trafficking Prevention Specialist and Survivor Advocate plays a crucial role in providing trafficked youth with a safe space and assistance with extricating themselves from a dangerous situation. For the safety of the employee in this unique role, we are not identifying her by name. For the importance of the education of this community, we are sharing some of her experiences.

Trafficking of youth comes in many forms, but most often comes down to a vulnerable young person trading favors or services in exchange for housing, food, or other basis needs. Or, in some cases these services are traded for drugs or alcohol, which, in turn help these victims endure the assault or abuse at the hands of those holding power over them.

Looking Glass New Roads Kitchen Remodel is Underway

Looking Glass New Roads Kitchen Remodel is Underway

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.

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.

Celebrating Pride

Celebrating Pride

On Saturday, June 27th, the day before the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Looking Glass Station 7 hosted a Pride celebration with Trans*Ponder and HIV Alliance. Youth and staff enjoyed a barbecue in the backyard while getting the chance to learn about these valuable LGBTQ+ resources in our community.

Program Spotlight: Rural Program - Cottage Grove

Program Spotlight: Rural Program - Cottage Grove

"Rural homelessness for youth is almost invisible, even to folks living in these communities," explains Looking Glass Rural Program Supervisor Amanda Hampton. "Youth are rarely out on the streets in a visible way, which means it requires targeted, intentional and collaborative effort to be able to reach the folks who are in need of our services."