Updates from Looking Glass
Thank you to Northwest Christian University for sending a great group of volunteers to help us build our ping pong tables for our upcoming Paddle Battle event (to be placed at various LG programs after the event). As part of Enhance the Community (ETC) Day NCU sends students, staff, and faculty to local nonprofits for an afternoon of volunteering.
Looking Glass got its start back in 1970 in a house off River Road helping runaway and homeless youth (RHY) with a safe place to stay and services to help them with basic needs. Almost 50 years later, RHY is still at the core of what Looking Glass Community Services provides in efforts to help Lane County youth stabilize their lives and create a solid foundation from which to build a more successful and healthy life. See our video and hear about a recent Outreach Team experience from our Marketing & Development Director.
Looking Glass currently has five residential programs: Pathways Boys, Pathways Girls, Parole Revocation Diversion, Stepping Stone, and Kyanite. All of these programs provide intensive 24/7 care and treatment to our clients. Watch our video overview and learn about one client’s first and last days in our girls program.
Serving 14 students with year-round curriculum, Center Point School could be described as a small school - but the impact made on the lives of the students and families enrolled at the school can be pretty large. "It's an amazing place," described Angela Larsen, parent of a 3rd year Center Point School student.
Looking Glass' Riverfront School and Career Center, an accredited alternative high school located on West 12th in Eugene, offers opportunity for academic success for students in Lane County and also helps youth find a career path. Daniel, a recent Riverfront graduate, is thankful for the school offering him a 2nd chance after he dropped out (see video).
As part of Center Point School's twice a week "Out and About" off-site trips, students were able to meet Mayor Lucy Vinis and learn about their local government. "Exposing students to activities and parts of their community they haven't had a chance to see or experience is important in their growth and education," explained Center Point School Family Services Coordinator Crystal Hall.
The Inaugural "Hike for Hope" event, a group hike fundraiser up Mount Pisgah held Saturday, August 11th, was a resounding success in all aspects. The $4,000 fundraising goal was exceeded by $135 and a group of generous supporters of about 50 people joined together to follow hike leader and former Looking Glass client and employee, Nick "the trainer dude" Hammond.
Thank you to Grocery Outlet on River Road for designating Looking Glass as the beneficiary for this year's Independence from Hunger program. This program brought in $4,000 to help feed youth in Looking Glass programs! This money will directly benefit the health of youth in Lane County.
Through the Rapid Rehousing Program, Looking Glass assists with rent for up to 2 years to provide homeless youth with secure housing along with mediation and ongoing case management support. Currently, we have 5 clients awaiting the opportunity to get off the streets and into housing, due to a shortage of property managers willing to rent to our clients. We need your help.
