Looking Glass Staff Kickball Tournament Returns!
Officially, the 2nd annual staff kickball tournament was held on Wednesday, July 20th at Tugman Park in Eugene - after the first year (way back in 2019) gave way to 2 years canceled by Covid. Looking Glass staff members competed from programs include the Regional Crisis Center, Homeless Youth Services, Rural Program and Adjudicated Youth Services while members of the admin staff cheered on.
Spring CAEC Staff Recognition - Award Nominations and Winner
Each quarter, the members of the Looking Glass Cultural Awareness and Equity Committee (CAEC) review nominations of staff members who have gone above and beyond their job requirements to promote cultural awareness and equity on the job. Nominations come mostly from staff peers. Then the committee randomly selects one nominee to win a $100 gift card. And the randomly selected winner is Adam Todd, from the RCC. Adam has been with the agency and the RCC since February of 2020.
Staff Spotlight: New Roads School Teacher Dane Eckweiler
Looking Glass’ New Roads School Teacher, Dane Eckweiler, who started at the school for homeless youth clients of New Roads drop-in center in January of 2022, has always enjoyed helping people, particularly the challenge of helping youth who require a little more creativity in their academic approach. In early months on the job, Dane is enjoying the flexibility to help the students he works with to learn at their own pace and find subjects that interest them to help spark that passion for learning needed to keep going in the face of so many other life challenges.
Cultural Awareness & Equity Committee, Quarter Staff Nominations!
Annual Board Meeting - Senator Manning Receives Award from Looking Glass
The annual Looking Glass board meeting was held Wednesday, November 3rd at the Graduate Hotel in Eugene with a small gathering of in-person guests and board members. The event included a keynote speech by Fariborz Pakseresht, the Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services, and also a presentation of the Community Leadership award from Looking Glass CEO Craig Opperman to longtime supporter Senator James Manning.
Self-Care Tips for High Stress Workers
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]
Thank a Youth Worker Day & Teacher Appreciation Week
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.
Staff Spotlight: Ken Downing
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.
Staff Spotlight: Marielle Hart
For the past five years, Marielle Hart has taught at Riverfront School and Career Center, and currently serves as their education supervisor.
Marielle says that it is rewarding to support the kids when they are struggling and help them get the quality education and services that they deserve. When asked what her hopes are for her students, Marielle says, “The kids that we work with are so resilient. They are amazing. They deserve the world.” She wants them to know that they have the love and support of the Riverfront community.
3 Key Messages from the 2019 FYSB RHY Grantee Training
Staff Spotlight: Stepping Stone Program Supervisor, Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson is the Program Supervisor at the Stepping Stone Program, a residential program that provides long-term treatment to male juvenile offenders, ages 12-18, with a history of family conflict, chronic delinquency, substance abuse, and poor school performance. Scott left behind a career in finance before joining Looking Glass, saying that he was unhappy in his previous line of work and wanted to accomplish something meaningful.