Following an unexpected loss of federal funding, a Eugene-area non-profit for runaway and homeless youth is getting a local boost.
Looking Glass Community Services helps about 8,000 people each year. Most clients are between the ages of 11 and 21. When the agency announced it was losing a federal grant, local donors with the Richard P. Haugland Fund responded with a $50,000 challenge match through the Oregon Community Foundation. So now, every contribution to the agency will be doubled.
Kirsten London is Director of Runaway and Homeless Youth Services. She says the funding allows them to keep serving kids in trouble on the streets at the current level.
“For some folks we’re talking about education, for some folks that’s talking about shelter, for other folks that’s talking about accessing our drop in center,” London says “that will allow them to come in and take a shower and get some food and be on the computer looking for jobs.”
The Looking Glass challenge match continues through June 25th.