Featured Stories
Sustainability Meets Workforce Development in This Agency Project
When the Eugene Family YMCA moved to its new location, it faced a challenge: what to do with the materials left behind? Instead of sending them to the landfill, the Y embraced sustainability by salvaging thousands of pounds of materials—including old vinyl. Rather than letting those nondegradable banners go to waste, they found a creative…
Read MoreMeet 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.…
Read MoreMeet Gianna, our October youth highlight!
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…
Read MoreMeet 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…
Read MoreMeet Julio, our June Youth Highlight!
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…
Read MoreMay Young Adult Highlight: Meet 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…
Read MoreMeet Leo, our April youth highlight!
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…
Read MoreMeet Mars, our March Youth Highlight!
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…
Read MoreGovernor 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…
Read MorecodeORcreate a Three-Day Youth Technology Competition Ends With a Weekend Showcase
codeORcreate is an annual three-day youth technology competition. Connected Lane County hosted 48 youth from 13 schools and 7 school districts. The youth had three days to create a tech-based solution to community problems and were paired with tech mentors. At the end of the weekend, youth got to present their projects to a panel…
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