Lane County residents are fundraising to help buy a home for a beloved community member.
Lyllye Reynolds-Parker worked at the University of Oregon in the Office of Multicultural Academic Success for over a decade.
The fundraiser was started by Mo Young, Lane County’s Equity and Access Coordinator, and a UO grad, as a way to give back to Reynolds-Parker.
“I mean I think she saved more lives than she will ever know,” Young said. Just, like, the care that she has given students of color, young people of color...she was at U of O for over 17 years, and through those 17 years and then beyond, she stays in touch with all of us. We were at the Em’s game and she ran into, like, three of her previous students, just like you do, when you’re beloved.”
The original goal was to reach $50,000 to help Reynolds-Parker afford a down-payment on a house, but after reaching that goal in less than three months, Young set a new one of $75,000.
Multiple local organizations have participated by holding sales and donating portions of the proceeds, including the Eugene Emeralds, a jewelry shop and a plant and gardening store.
