Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene

Come Join us at the River House Outdoor Center (301 N Adams St, Eugene, OR 97402) this Friday May 15th from 3-6pm. We will have FREE PFDs for youth to take home. We will have stand up paddle boards and kayaks out to be able to go play in the water!

We are looking forward to tomorrow night!

Join us this Friday at the Sources of Strength teen-led mental health resource fair hosted by Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene

Whether you're looking for resources or just want to connect – we'd love to see you there!

📅 Friday, May 8th | 5pm to 8pm
📍 Farmers Market Pavilion @ 85 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR

Community, Creativity, and Clean-Up!
Our amazing Resolve youth volunteers teamed up with **Nearby Nature** to transform the Frohnmayer Bridge near Alton Baker Park! They covered graffiti and brought new life to the space with a vibrant **stencil mural**—adding beauty, color, and care to a well-loved local landmark.

Passersby couldn't stop cheering them on with kudos and kind words, and the youth loved the chance to make a positive, artistic impact in the community.

Thank you to everyone who made this collaboration possible!

🐐✨ YEP Goat Adventures: Smiles, Snuggles, and Some Serious Goat Vibes ✨🐐
Last week was un-baa-lievably fun! On Thursday, our amazing Resolve Volunteer crew spent the evening at a local goat farm in the Bethel area — cuddling, socializing, and straight-up vibing with both adult and baby (kid) goats.
Highlights? Meeting Bob, just 11 days old with the world’s best baby goat smile. And of course, Diane from Accounting — not actually from our office, just an incredibly talented goat dancer. 😂💃🏽
Then on Friday, for our no-school day, we road tripped out to Monroe for Goat Yoga at No Regrets Farm and Sanctuary — and let us tell you: 10/10 RECOMMEND. The vibes, the goats, the peacefulness... chef’s kiss. You have to check it out.
💛 Warning: these photos may cause uncontrollable smiling.

Summer Youth Empowerment Programs are here!
Registration opens on April 22nd at 9am.
For more information and the link to registration: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4888/Youth-Empowerment-Program

A Week of Adventure at Counselor in Training Camp: Building Connections, Learning, and Growing Together

This week at Counselor in Training camp was filled with adventure, growth, and unforgettable experiences! From team-building activities that helped us connect as a cohort to hands-on projects that allowed us to give back to the community, it was a week we’ll always remember.

We kicked off the week with a variety of team-building activities that brought us closer together. Through trust exercises, problem-solving games, and group challenges, we not only learned about each other but also developed skills that will help us become better leaders and future counselors.

One of the highlights of our week was our visit to Grass Roots Garden, where we had the chance to plant greens and harvest broccoli for Food for Lane County. It was an incredible opportunity to see the impact of community farming and contribute to the local food bank that serves so many in need. We left feeling proud to be part of something that supports our community in such a meaningful way.

We also visited Parker Learning Gardens, where we helped braid the living willow fedge (a new term we learned that refers to a living fence-hedge). It was amazing to see how nature can be shaped and used to create something beautiful and functional. We learned about sustainable gardening practices and the importance of maintaining these green spaces for future generations.

A very special moment during the week was meeting Simon Longnight, a talented actor from the cast of Hamilton. Simon, who plays both Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, shared his incredible journey with us and offered valuable advice on pursuing dreams and overcoming challenges. A fun fact we learned—Simon is a graduate of South Eugene High! We’re so grateful to the Hult Center for connecting us with Simon, and we thank him for taking the time to inspire the young people in our community.

We wrapped up the week with some fun and relaxation. On Thursday, we took a refreshing swim at Echo Hollow pool, cooling off and enjoying each other's company. The highlight of the week was our beautiful hiking trip to Sweet Creek Falls, where we connected with nature and took in the stunning scenery. The peaceful sound of the falls was the perfect way to end such an adventurous week.

A big thank you to everyone who made this week possible—our mentors, the organizations we worked with, and all the amazing people who made this experience unforgettable.

A Huge Thank You to Parker Learning Gardens!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Parker Learning Gardens for hosting our Counselor in Training Camp for a morning filled with valuable hands-on learning about permaculture farming. 🌱

During our visit, we had the opportunity to dive deep into the important role of willows and how they’re used to create beautiful, sustainable fedges (living willow fences/hedges). We learned how bio-char is produced and the significance of this process for improving soil health.

Our group also had the chance to interact with some of the farm animals that help make the garden thrive! 🐐🐷 We fed the rabbits, pet the goats, and observed the pigs, learning how these animals play a crucial role in building and maintaining a thriving farm ecosystem.

One of the most memorable activities was braiding and tying together willow, which was both relaxing and informative. We also helped prepare the fire ring for the production of bio-char, gaining insight into how this process benefits the farm's sustainability.

A big thank you again to Parker Learning Gardens for giving us the chance to learn in such an engaging and hands-on way. We left feeling inspired and grateful for the experience! 🌿🌾

🎤 YEP and Hult Center Collab! 🎤
Last week, our Youth Empowerment Program, funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax, teamed up with Hult Center for an incredible podcast collaboration! 🙌

Our talented Resolve volunteer youth had the amazing opportunity to join Simon Longnight for a Q&A. ✨ Simon, who plays Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway production of *Hamilton*, shared his journey and insights! 💫

And the best part? *Hamilton* is hitting our town this week! 🎭 You don't want to miss it! 🎟️

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode now and get a sneak peek behind the scenes!

https://hultcenter.org/blog/community-conversation-podcast-draft/

📅 **Catch *Hamilton* in town—let us know if you're going!**

Special thanks to Simon Longnight from the cast of Hamilton, who spent the afternoon with 24 youth from the Youth Empowerment Program through the City of Eugene Recreation. Youth had the opportunity to see the show last night through our Bridge to Broadway program, and today, got to ask questions about the show and what it is like being on tour.

The Youth Empowerment Program is funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax, and works with community partners to empower teens by building life and job skills, offering access to caring youth and adult mentors and increasing access to other vital community resources.

Thank you Hult Center for the Performing Arts, City of Eugene for partnering with Youth Empowerment for this amazing opportunity!

Special thanks to Simon Longnight from the cast of Hamilton, who spent the afternoon with 24 youth from the Youth Empowerment Program through the City of Eugene Recreation. Youth had the opportunity to see the show last night through our Bridge to Broadway program, and today, got to ask questions about the show and what it is like being on tour. The Youth Empowerment Program is funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax, and works with community partners to empower teens by building life and job skills, offering access to caring youth and adult mentors and increasing access to other vital community resources.

🎉 New Free Teen Programs at Washington Park Teen Center! 🎉

Calling all teens! We’ve got some exciting, free programs coming your way this spring! Whether you’re into arts and crafts, cooking, or learning new skills, there’s something for everyone. Check out our awesome line-up:

✨ Stuffed Animal Mondays
🗓 May 5th - May 26th | 🕓 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Ages: 12-18
Join us to create your very own stuffed animal! It's a fun, hands-on way to bring your creativity to life!

✨ Jewelry Making 101
🗓 Mondays, April 7th - April 28th | 🕓 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Ages: 12-18
Learn to create custom earrings, bracelets, and rings! Unleash your inner jewelry designer!

✨ Junior Chef Cooking Class
🗓 April 1st - April 29th & May 6th - May 27th | 🕓 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Ages: 12-18
Chop, measure, and sauté your way to culinary greatness! Perfect for beginner chefs looking to sharpen their skills.

All classes are FREE! But registration is required to reserve your spot.

🖥 Register online at www.getrec.org or call 541-682-5375.
📍 All programs take place at the Washington Park Teen Center – 2190 Washington Street.

Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities – sign up today! 🙌