The City Club of Eugene Podcast

Kids’ Mental Health: How They’re Doing and How We Can Help

Our children have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as shown by the increased reports of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. City Club of Eugene brought together three experts to address aspects of this concerning issue.

Our speakers include Dr. Beth Stormshak, head of the Counseling Psychology & Human Services Department, University of Oregon; Ellen Thornton-Love, LCSW, clinical supervisor, Lane County's Child & Adolescent Health Behavioral Services; Jessica Swensen, psychiatric occupational therapist, PeaceHealth Child & Family Behavioral Health and Young Adult Behavioral Health.

Note: If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255, 24/7. Help is available!

You may also want to hear the episode on adult mental health.

Watch this episode, including Q&As, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on February 11, 2022)

Collaborating on Permanent Housing Solutions

If agencies working on sheltering the homeless could coordinate and collaborate, would it result in better or faster permanent housing? City Club of Eugene examines how local nonprofits are teaming their resources on this issue.

Speakers include Debi Farr, manager of community relations at Trillium Health Plan; Jacob Fox, executive director of Homes For Good; Michelle Hankes, CEO of ShelterCare; and Sarai Johnson, housing and shelter strategist for Lane County. 

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on January 28, 2022)

Lessons From the Pandemic: UO’s Impact on the Next Normal

The University of Oregon is committed to teaching, research and service. How did it fare during the first two years of the pandemic? What lessons is it applying to its operations and mission? Dr. Michael Schill, president, gives us his update and perspective on the university's "new normal."

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on January 14, 2022)

Student Leadership in Climate Education

What are our youth learning about climate change? A group of local high school students and their teachers talk about their awakening to the issue, the education they are receiving on the topic, and their suggestions for combatting environmental damage caused by the changing climate.

Note: We apologize for the poor sound quality.

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on January 7, 2022)

 

Gifts to the City 2021

If you were asked to give a gift to Eugene, what would it be? In a City Club of Eugene tradition, 10 people offer their presents.

Gift givers include Dr. Silky J. Booker, Gabe Casteel, Karin Clarke, Aisha Elliott, Holly Go Slugly (Debbie Williamson-Smith), Roger Jensen, Ryan Moore, Lyllye Reynolds-Parker, Sandra Shotridge and Beth Stein. Dan Bryant is the moderator.

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on December 17, 2021)

Measure 11: Repeal, Revise or Retain?

Oregon's voters chose to add minimum mandatory sentences for certain crimes. Measure 11 has been in effective for nearly 30 years. Does it deter crime? Does it give too much authority to prosecutors, not judges? Over the years, Measure 11 has been modified by the legislature. Should it be amended again or should it be narrowed to apply only to those found guilty of murder?

City Club of Eugene asked Sen. Floyd Prozanski and Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow to weigh in.

Read the Criminal Justice Commission Report mentioned in this episode. Watch this episode, including Q&A, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This program was broadcast on Dec. 10, 2021)

 

Understanding the Local Labor Shortage

Recovery from the pandemic-induced recession has been hampered by the difficulty in finding workers. The speakers in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode look at the labor shortage from different perspectives. Henry Fields is the workforce analyst/economist for Lane and Douglas counties for the Oregon Employment Department. Kristina Payne is executive director of Lane Workforce Partnership. Leonard Stoehr is a labor rep for Teamsters Local 206.

Read the Oregon ALICE Report mentioned in this episode. Watch this episode, including Q&A, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This program was broadcast on December 3, 2021)

Hate Crimes: Facts and Fixes

Days before this program, a young man was arrested in Lane County for an alleged hate crime against a gay man. Eugene has a robust reporting system, which means residents can learn more about the prevalence about this crime than they might if they lived in other areas. But what is the origin of hate crimes? How do we make them rare?

We'll hear from Fabio Andrade, civil rights and equity analyst for the City of Eugene; Ryan Dwyer, supervisory special agent for the FBI's San Francisco and Portland field offices; and Lindsay Schubiner, director of the Western States Center's Momentum program.

Watch this episode, including slides and Q&A, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This program was broadcast on Nov. 19, 2021)

Finding Fairness in Wages

Labor is either a cost to be minimized or a place to invest, according to one of the speakers in this episode, "Finding Fairness in Wages." What's a fair wage? Why do we pay child care workers a wage that doesn't seem to reflect the value of their important work?

Learn more from these speakers: Henry Fields, Workforce Analyst and Economist for the Oregon Employment Department in Lane and Douglas Counties; Sarah Kalloch, Executive Director of The Good Jobs Institute; and Megan Pratt, Coordinator of the Oregon Child Care Research Partnership.

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This program was broadcast on Nov. 12, 2021)

The State of Our Homelessness Crisis

If 70% of a crisis is unsolved, the crisis continues. That's where the homeless population of Eugene and Lane County find themselves. The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce studied the issue recently and shares its findings and recommendations with City Club of Eugene.

Speakers include Eugene City Councilor Randy Groves; Brittany Quick-Warner, president and CEO of the chamber; and Heather Sielicki, co-lead for Everyone Village.

Watch this episode, including speakers' slides, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

(This episode was broadcast on Nov. 5, 20201)