Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention News

Heidi and Annie.

Connected Lane County piloted Direct Cash Transfers for Lane County youth. See the news coverage below! KLCC Executive Director Heidi Larwick and Program Lead Annie Dropek (pictured above) sit down with KLCC Reporter Michael Dunne to discuss Connected Lane County’s pilot program for Direct Cash Transfers to prevent youth homelessness. Listen to the interview 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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EWEB Industry Tour News Coverage

In March 2024, Connected Lane County coordinated a tour of EWEB’s facility. Dozens of youth from schools across Lane County came to EWEB to explore the Utility Service Industry. The high school youth learned about various high-wage, high-demand jobs and saw how a large utility company like EWEB operates. The youth visited various stations and…

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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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Endless Mileage Project News Coverage

The Agency worked with Endless Mileage to create new tree tags that display athletes’ finishing times. The Endless Mileage is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable environments and programming that inspires the next generation of track and field athletes to break barriers. Read more!

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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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Youth Highlight: Elliott

Elliott in front of Connected Lane County Signage.

Elliott has been an engaged member of the Connected Lane County community since August 2023. Elliott appreciates the inclusive and welcoming environment at Spark locations, where they can unwind, access support, and engage in various activities. To learn more about Elliott’s story, read their interview below! How did you find Connected Lane County, and what…

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marketingJAM makes waves in a three-day weekend competition

Marmalade Marketeers team photo.

marketingJAM, the three-day marketing competition, wrapped up a successful showcase! We had 12 teams and saw competitors from Bethel, Creswell, Junction City, Siuslaw, Springfield, and 4J. Teams took on real-world challenges from local nonprofits, including Springfield Education Foundation, Lane Workforce Partnership, City Club of Eugene, and Positive Community Kitchen. Marmalade Marketeers from Creswell High School…

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Youth Highlight: Daniel

Daniel and his group at their summer Internship.

Meet Daniel, our monthly youth highlight! Daniel came to Connected Lane County through his school’s Career Center. He struggled to find employment and wanted to expand his skills. Our team placed Daniel in a paid summer internship with Bitforest based on his interests. Following his summer internship, he participated in codeORcreate, where his team won…

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