Updates from Looking Glass
The Looking Glass residential program retreat took on a different look this year with staff members at each program wearing different colors and large, bouncy balls flying (or wobbling) around a kickball diamond as a new tradition was “kicked” off with a kickball tournament for the ages. In the end, Stepping Stone Program took home the gold (probably plastic really) trophy but fun was had by all.
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.
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 annual Looking Glass All-Staff Lunch & Awards gathering took place on Wednesday, May 15th at LCC with CEO Craig Opperman sharing organization updates and discussed the constantly changing landscape of youth and family services in Lane County and Oregon. The annual meeting begins with a touching appreciation of the length of employment of various program staff members, with the longest tenured staff standing and receiving heartfelt applause. Several awards were handed out as well.
For national Thank a Youth Worker Day, Franz Bakery generously donated over 100 boxes of donuts to Looking Glass’ over 250 staffers. Thank you to Franz and all our hard working staff for helping youth in our community.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) department of Looking Glass met at Wayne Morse Ranch for their annual retreat on Friday, June 22, which featured presentations, cultural awareness training, and strategic planning.
Every year Looking Glass staff from all of our programs gather to enjoy a nice brunch at the Valley River Inn. With live music from John Shipe and balloons by Debbie McDowell from Destination Events, Looking Glass celebrates the hard work our employees do to provide for youth, families, and adults in Lane County.
