Updates from Looking Glass
The 16th annual Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Looking Glass fall fundraising event (moved this year from a breakfast to a lunch) had record high attendance with roughly 160 supporters gathered at Venue 252 on Tuesday, October 20th to learn about the agency’s residential treatment programs, the two Regional Crisis Centers. This year’s event included a panel of RCC staff members engaged in a Q&A with event emcee (and Looking Glass Board Chair Elect) Mary Reilly.
Ben, a Looking Glass housing client, recently shared his positive experiences with the program and expressed deep gratitude for the life-saving services provided. Housing program staff member, Lane Duckett, also explains the resources available to young adults in Lane County when they engage with our housing support team.
Since 1990, Looking Glass’ Lane-Metro Youth Corps, which is part of the Riverfront School & Career Center, has operated work crews year-round and provided paid work experience each summer to Lane County youth. Work projects restore local natural resources and natural habitats. As this year’s crew experiences comes to a close, the Army Corps of Engineers are thankful for the impact Looking Glass crew members had on creating fire lines for upcoming prepared burns. These prepared burns are an important part of habitat management and help to reduce fuel loads during critical fire season.
The 2025 Looking Glass Auction Gala Fundraiser - the 25th annual such gathering - held on Saturday, APril 12th at Venue 252 in Eugene, had a Wicked/Wizard of Oz theme. The decor was plentiful and attendees (almost 300 of them) came dressed in a mix of movie themed looks and classy suits and dresses. There were lots of Glinda’s and several scarecrows, Lions, Tin Men, Dorothy’s and witches. Ceiling-spinning acrobats (Revelers Aerial Works) accompanied a fantastic live band (The Michael Allen Harrison Trio) and in the end, a huge amount of donations were given and fun was had by all.
After constructing a first tiny house for SquareOne in the summer/fall of 2023, the students enrolled in the Skilled Trades program at Looking Glass Riverfront School & Career Center were eager to work on a 2nd project. SquareOne was thrilled with the quality craftsmanship done on the first project and have expressed interest in a longer term partnership. The students did not disappoint with their 2nd effort, completing their next tiny house project in early September of 2024.
The Looking Glass Counseling Program continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our clients. We continue to hire more therapists and although we are not quite fully staffed still, we have made great progress in recent months and are doing our best to meet the growing need for therapy in our community, for clients of all ages. Here is a new video about the counseling program, highlighting the various ways our program meets our clients where they are, providing trauma-informed care from a diverse group of caring professionals.
About a dozen students and a roomful of family and friends gathered to celebrate the 2024 Riverfront School & Career Center graduation at the Unitarian Universalist Church next to Riverfront on Thursday, June 13th. This year’s keynote speaker was Eve Gray, Director of Lane County Health and Human Services.
The 2023 Riverfront High School graduation was held Thursday, June 15th at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene (next door to Riverfront). Graduates shared their experiences and a UO pep band helped the attendees rock out and celebrate! This year’s keynote speaker was Rick Hamilton, recently elected to the Eugene 4J school board.
The 2022 Riverfront High School graduation ceremony was held in-person on June 16th at the Unitarian Universalist Church next door to Riverfront for the first time in 2 years. Senator James Manning was the keynote speaker at the event. “Where you are now is part of a transition in life,” Senator Manning said to the graduates. “Never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve a higher level. I believe in you!”
Looking Glass has provided housing assistance for youth since 1970 through various programs including providing rental assistance funds for security deposits, renters insurance and, in some cases, covering monthly rent for up to 2 years. We recently sat down with a current housing client, Jordan, and his case manager Jack and other Looking Glass staff to hear how these programs work and the impact they can have. (VIDEO)
