Meet Ryan, our young adult highlight!

Ryan found Connected Lane County during a rough time in his life. He was unhoused, couch surfing, and facing various barriers to education and employment. Hosea Youth Services shared Connected Lane County as a resource, and Ryan was able to receive support through our Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention Pilot before joining our other programs.…

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Meet Gianna, our October youth highlight!

Gianna thinking about welding.

Gianna’s journey from San Luis Obispo, California, to Eugene, Oregon, has been full of discovery and growth. Now a North Eugene High School student, Gianna found her passion in her wood and metal shop classes. Her curiosity about working with her hands and creating tangible products led her to participate in Connected Lane County’s Elevate…

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Meet Kira, our August youth highlight!

Kira, a Cottage Grove High School graduate, found Connected Lane County during her senior year and has been involved in both Navigate and Elevate programming! Kira has participated in various events, including Wonder Wednesday, Job Fairs, Elevate Job Shadows, Wonder Week, and work experiences.   “I’ve always had great fun at these events. I got to…

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Meet Julio, our June Youth Highlight!

Julio speaking at the Spark Program Fundraiser.

Julio is a rising senior at Springfield High School who has been involved with Connected Lane County for over two years. He started with Invention Club, an after-school program, in the spring of 2022, and that experience led him to participate in the summer cohort of Invention Lab. After completion of Invention Lab, Julio was…

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May Young Adult Highlight: Meet Jaiden! 

Photo of Jaiden.

Jaiden (she/her) has been an engaged Connected Lane County community member since joining the Navigate Program in July of 2022. Jaiden has faced challenges and barriers to employment and has demonstrated significant professional and personal growth throughout her time with us.  To learn more about her story, read her interview below!  What Connected Lane County…

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Meet Leo, our April youth highlight!

Leo Youth Highlight 2024

Meet Leo, our April Youth Highlight!  Leo (they/them) has been a Connected Lane County participant since the summer of 2023 when they were a Summer Intern! Leo was placed at Volunteers in Medicine and learned more about what a career in health care would look like.  This internship gave them insight into the mental health…

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Meet Mars, our March Youth Highlight!

Mars taking a selfie with Governor Tina Kotek and Julio.

Mars’ pronouns: Any Meet our STEM Superstar, Mars! While enrolled in the Migrant Education Oregon program at Hamlin Middle School, Mars learned about Connected Lane County’s BIPOC STEM program, Invention Club. Mars participated in 2021, and using limited materials, her team created a catapult to launch an item into a target. Mars’ group won first…

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Governor Kotek Visits Spark at Booth-Kelly

On Thursday, December 14, we had some special visitors! Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson toured Spark at Booth-Kelly as part of Governor Kotek’s One Oregon Listening Tour! Koteck met with program youth, staff, and local leaders to learn about barriers youth in our community face.  Our director, Heidi Larwick, shared a…

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Youth Highlight: Carmen

Carmen smiling at the camera with Spark on 7th's mural of a interconnected light bulb in the background.

Navigate Support  Carmen entered the Navigate program at 17 years old, unemployed, and dropped out of school. The combination of a difficult home life and a severe car accident that totaled her only source of transportation left her struggling with mental health issues and unable to re-engage with education. With support from the program, she…

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