Heritage foundation receives grant for old schoolhouse
CRESWELL – The Creswell Heritage Foundation will receive a $27,873 grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust to support upgrading the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and building an ADA-compliant restroom in Creswell’s old schoolhouse.
“This grant assures us that we have the funding to proceed this year with the upgrade project,” said Verlean McCoy, board president of Creswell Heritage Foundation. “We completed the exterior work last year and are excited to begin on the interior. This is the next phase in the overall restoration of the historic building to a sustainable public use. “
The award to CHF was one of 11 awarded by Oregon Cultural Trust for organizations in the South Valley/Mid Coast Region and 138 awarded statewide.
Mental health clinic receives grant
COTTAGE GROVE – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley last week announced a total of $346,000 in federal funding from the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) headed to three Oregon communities to upgrade facilities so they can better serve families and increase access to essential medical services.
Of those communities, South Lane Mental Health in Cottage Grove has received $58,200. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a covered gazebo, picnic tables and chairs to facilitate outdoor COVID safe therapy sessions, HEPA air purifiers for offices to further protect clients and clinicians and a new key fob system to increase security and the ability to screen visitors for COVID. South Lane Mental Health has several care facilities in the community of Cottage Grove.
These facilities do not have an air filtration system or outdoor meeting areas. These improvements are needed to reduce the impact and spread of COVID by allowing for safer meeting spaces, healthier air quality in offices and the ability to more safely screen for symptoms upon entry into the facilities.
New funding aims to advance racial justice
SPRINGFIELD – At an outdoor celebration on Sunday, Aug. 28, United Way will announce how it’s helping advance racial justice locally —by sharing next steps for its new Racial Justice Fund grants. Open to the community, the Racial Justice Community Gathering will take place from 1-3 p.m. at the Eugene Science Center Outdoor Field and feature local music, arts activities, and food carts. The Fund’s advisory council, composed of local leaders of color, will share what ideas have been generated for use of funds and next steps as United Way prepares to distribute grants.
“United Way envisions a community where every child succeeds in school and life,” shared Collina Beard, local community leader and co-chair of the fund. “We cannot reach this vision without recognizing and addressing historic and present-day injustices, allowing marginalized communities to identify solutions, and investing deeply in this work. We’ve had some really incredible conversations with our communities over the last few months, and we’re eager to share back what we’ve heard and what’s to come.”
The purpose of United Way’s Racial Justice Fund, launched in late 2021, is to move substantial resources to help communities of color build power, access, influence and wealth. Over $56,000 has been donated by community members thus far. To shape how funds could be best used, the fund’s advisory council has hosted listening sessions and conversations with communities of color over the last few months.
In addition to the 20-minute program, the event will feature food from local carts Yardy, Bold Flavor, and Irie Jamaican Kitchen; art activities with local artists Helen Liu and Lola Buckwald, music from the Invisible Arts Project, resources from local nonprofits, and activities for kids. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at unitedwaylane.org/events. People of color interested in helping shape the fund can do so at unitedwaylane.org/racial-justice. Those interested in donating to the racial justice fund can do so at unitedwaylane.org/donate.
Scammers impersonating Sheriff’s Office Employees
Lane County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a telephone scam. The scammers commonly identify themselves either verbally, by text or by email as employees of the LCSO.
Oftentimes the scammers identify themselves using the names of real employees and provide a fraudulent number for the victim to call back.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for money, awards, or compensation of any type over the telephone. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, please contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.
