US Rep Val Hoyle (right) with Looking Glass CEO Chad Westphal, Senator Ron Wyden, former Looking Glass CEO Craig Opperman, and Looking Glass Board Members Jeanne Staton, Juine Chada and Alicia Beymer, pose together during a visit from Wyden and Hoyle to the newly renovated Looking Glass Rural Program building on May 27, 2025.
Senator Wyden (right) shaking hands with Looking Glass CEO Chad Westphal during the visit.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle visited the newly renovated Looking Glass Rural Program building on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Senator Wyden, along with Senator Jeff Merkley, helped Looking Glass to secure $195,000 in Congressional Directed Spending to help with a significant portion of the expenses of renovating the new building for the rural program. The previous building in Cottage Grove for this program was much smaller and offered far fewer supports for at-risk youth served in South Lane County.
The visit prompted several media outlets to attend as well, providing great media coverage for Looking Glass during a time when federal funding and support has come under increased strain and scrutiny. Several Looking Glass staff members and Board Members also attended during this visit.
“What this is all about is helping at-risk rural kids get off the street and make sure that they have a safe floor under their feet,” said Wyden during the visit. “And Looking Glass really puts it together for these at-risk kids.”
The new, larger facility in Cottage Grove is able to provide a much bigger gathering space for youth as well as showers, laundry, and a full kitchen. The new building opened in late 2024 with a grand opening in January of 2025.
Representative Hoyle also commented about the importance of services provided to youth at the Looking Glass rural program - “We are very lucky to have two senators that really care about putting money where it can used and make a difference. In a rural community, when you don’t have the kind of economy of scale we need to be sure we’re using every dollar well and that is something that Looking Glass does.”