About

4J ID PROGRAM

In the spring of 2015, the Junior League of Eugene began collaborating with 4J School District to develop a check list for obtaining an Oregon Identification card (issued by the DMV). Proper identification is a necessity, especially for teens and young adults. Identification is needed to get a job, open a bank account, and perhaps most importantly, to take the G.E. D. test. The program is available for select students enrolled within the 4J School system. The main objective is to facilitate a pathway to obtaining an ID card for students that might not otherwise be able to navigate the complex system. After demonstrating the success of the program (101 Oregon IDs, 25 Birth Certificates obtained and 33 4J GEDs passed) JLE worked with Senator Lively to obtain grant financing for the program. By the Winter of 2019, the school district had taken over management of the program and it is now self-sustaining.

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15TH NIGHT OF EUGENE

The Junior League of Eugene is an official partner of The 15th Night of Eugene. The 15th Night is a broad community partnership designed to prevent youth from running away or “hitting the street” and to intervene quickly if they do. 15th Night is aligning itself with existing community resources in innovative ways: partnering with an existing 501©3, OSLC Development, Inc. OSLC will provide coordination, management, financial oversight and evaluation.

Our city’s youth are at the heart of The 15th Night’s approach. “Nothing about them without them” is the motto. They have an active Youth Advisory Council (YAC) whose members are currently homeless, or are transitioning away from homelessness, as well as youth who have never been homeless but want to help their fellow peers.

The goals and measurable outcomes for the 15th Night are:

• Launch a powerful sustainable public awareness and education campaign about homeless youth by engaging the community in meaningful and creative ways to achieve success.

• To have pledged providers, community members and businesses that can provide resources or services to meet the individual, immediate and stabilizing needs of each youth through a navigator type role.

• The navigator will assist youth while accessing and engaging in services. Additionally, they will act as a guide, mentor and advocate.

• Empowering and mobilizing youth to create a caring culture in schools and community by raising awareness of the challenges faced by youth who are experiencing homelessness, the dangers of living on the streets and where to find help before or after they end up on the street.

• To establish, promote and maintain a 24hr/day “Rapid Access Network.” This network is the access point for youth, advocates, providers and the community, to find help and receive immediate help if necessary via a hotline, mobile app, website or text message.

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ECASEY

The Eugene Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth (ECASEY) is a joint venture of some of our communities most prominent youth service based organizations. As one of many founding members, The Junior League of Eugene has partnered with Springfield Public Schools, Beth School District, Eugene 4J School District, the Lane County District Attorney’s office, the City of Eugene, Looking Glass, Kids’ First, and others, to help fight the epidemic of child sex trafficking in Lane County. The organization seeks to pool the resources of the countless youth advocate institutions locally, and rapidly connect advocates and providers with the at risk youth they seek to help serve.

Since it’s formation in 2015, ECASEY has hosted numerous workshops and informational gatherings. These workshops have included impactful trainings hosted by the FBI (which seek to train local groups about the trafficking issue in Oregon) as well as a reoccurring “Teens and Technology Night” which educates our community about the ever-growing dangers of technology (and what parents can do keep their children safe). As ECASEY continues to gain traction, educate and advocate within our community, JLE is dedicated to continuing to support and assist the group in whatever ways we may be impactful. We are honored to call ourselves one of the groups founding members, and we look forward to helping grow the organization with the end of goal of ending human trafficking in Lane County.

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HOSEA YOUTH SERVICES

The Hosea Drop-In Center provides hospitality and first response to young people who are being impacted by the streets. The young people who walk through the centers doors have access to: laundry, a computer lab, showers, clothing, and other support services. Once per month, Junior League members prepare and serve a family-style meal for the youth. Junior League volunteers and the Hosea staff make every effort to know young peoples names, stories, and needs in order to make them feel welcome, at home, safe, and supported.

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ST. VINCENT DE PAUL HOMELESS YOUTH HOUSE

Junior League of Eugene’s Signature Project for the league year 2017-18, was the Saint Vincent de Paul’s all-girl homeless youth home. This is a residence for thirteen homeless girls to call home.  The home provides homeless female high school students with the secure housing and social services they need to graduate high school and to enhance their chances of becoming successful and productive citizens. Junior League of Eugene has helped to stock the kitchen with supplies and also provided welcome kits filled with essentials to the residents.