Staff Spotlight: Ken Downing

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.

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Virtual Auction Event Inspires Donors Despite Distance

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Virtual Auction Event Inspires Donors Despite Distance

The annual Looking Forward, Giving Back auction gala fundraiser was held virtually this year, due to the pandemic, of course, but was a huge success despite the fact that we could not gather physically with supporters. On Saturday, April 10th, Looking Glass fundraising staff members turned the large conference room at administrative offices into a production studio and interacted with over 100 supporters via Zoom and an online auction platform that made for some very competitive and last minute bidding. In the end, donors helped to raise more than $130,000 for Looking Glass youth & family programs (and post-event cleanup was much easier).

See videos shared at the event in this post!

Center Point School Students Learn Stop Motion Animation

Center Point School Students Learn Stop Motion Animation

Using an iPad and the app Stop Motion Studio, Looking Glass’ Center Point School students are designing, directing, and producing their very own motion pictures. “I wanted to teach some kind of filmmaking class, so when I saw this stop motion animation iPad application I thought it was great because the students can build it with their hands, they didn’t have to have specific drawing or tech skills,” explained Lin Boyea, Educational and Behavioral Specialist at Center Point School and the creator and teacher of the class.

Peer Support Specialist Spotlight

Peer Support Specialist Spotlight

Looking Glass Counseling Program is excited to have received funding from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for a grant that will enhance our counseling service offerings by integrating a strengths-based, trauma-informed Youth Peer Support Program. This funding allows the Counseling Program to directly support those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many socio-economic and cultural barriers for people of color to receive social services, including mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment.

Youth Development Division Funding

Youth Development Division Funding

The Youth Development Division (YDD) awarded Looking Glass with a grant that provides funding for Reengagement programs within our Riverfront School and our Adjudicated Youth Services (AYS) School. Reengagement programs are focused on providing young individuals with support and access to education, with the goal of completing high school and finding a career path or post-secondary education.

National Safe Place Partnership

National Safe Place Partnership

National Safe Place is a national program that provides youth with safe places to seek help 24-hours per day. Youth ages 11-17 can access any of the 68 Safe Place sites across Lane County identified by the yellow and black diamond-shaped signs.

Counseling Program Spotlight

Counseling Program Spotlight

The Looking Glass Counseling Program is here to support you! All of our therapists have transitioned to working with clients via telehealth with limited in-person services. The last year has been filled with many uncertainties, which can cause high levels of stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression. If you are looking to inquire about our counseling services, please call our office at (541) 484-4428. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking services, please call (541) 246-2256.

Event: Suicide prevention for the Latinx community - Evento: Prevención del suicidio para la comunidad latinx

Event: Suicide prevention for the Latinx community - Evento: Prevención del suicidio para la comunidad latinx

The Looking Glass Counseling Program is pleased to partner with the Springfield School District to discuss suicide prevention among youth in the Latinx community. This presentation will be presented in Spanish and is open to the general public.

El Programa de Consejería Looking Glass se complace en asociarse con el Distrito Escolar de Springfield para discutir la prevención del suicidio entre los jóvenes de la comunidad latinx. Esta presentación se presentará en español y está abierta al público en general.

Giving Tree Success: Best Year Ever?

Giving Tree Success: Best Year Ever?

Despite the pandemic and challenges surrounding this year’s annual Giving Tree program (or maybe because of them), Looking Glass programs received an amazing amount of support and donations - enough to ensure every youth who requested them a gift covering their needs and wishes. Covid-19 may have closed a lot of the businesses that would have normally hosted physical trees and ornaments but it didn’t close the hearts of our donors. In addition to the physical gifts picked up at Valley River Center, Oakway Centre, Umpqua Bank, McKenzie Commercial and other amazing business supporters, we received thousands of dollars in restricted cash donations and dozens of Amazon wish list items.

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Donates to Looking Glass

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Donates to Looking Glass

In October the local bike donation nonprofit Free Bikes 4 Kidz delivered 20 bikes to Looking Glass for various program use and direct youth client access. The bikes were delivered to Looking Glass residential programs as well as Riverfront’s Independent Living and Job Training Program clients and also the Looking Glass New Roads homeless youth program.

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