Upcoming SHiNA Neighborhood Meeting 2/15/2023

Topic: Understanding Homelessness

Wednesday, Feb 15, 6:30-8:30PM
Hilyard Community Center
2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene

Contributed by SHiNA Chair Chris Jockheck

We see it every day.
We see it everywhere; Eugene, the Valley,
the coast, through out the state and beyond.
We turn our heads so we don’t have to engage.
We avoid certain areas, certain streets.
We see the tents, push carts, all the belongings, what is
kept and what is left behind.
We see the people: individuals, couples, children, young
and old. And we get angry. And we should be angry.

But to whom (who)? To ‘them’?, to local government?, to state government?, to federal government?, our economic system?, education system?, health care system? As we start a new year, both local and state government leaders want to address the homeless issue making it a priority. But what does that mean? How are they proposing to have the discussions so there’s a full understanding of what has created the situation? Are they dealing with the symptoms or are they going to get ‘down and dirty’, and look at dealing with the origins of the crisis? And the future (numbers are only growing).


There are many questions, and many of us think we have ‘solutions’. And we have our bias. But in order to understand the discussions that will be taking place we have to understand the issue. Who are the homeless? How does someone become homeless? Why are some people in a chronic long term situation while some are able to make a transition to a better life? What is in those carts? What role do drugs play? What role does mental health status play? A day in their life???

To help provide that understanding, SHiNA will be hosting a panel discussion and ‘community conversation’ on homelessness. Panelists will be Heather Sielicki, community advocate and; Tracy Joscelyn, manager of Nightengale safe sleeping site; and, Kelly McIver, Communications Manager, Unhoused Response, City of Eugene. We hope to see you there. This will be an in-person meeting only.

SHiNA Picnic 2022

The annual SHiNA summer picnic, this time in collaboration with our Friendly Area Neighbors, FAN, returns this summer to a new location, Washington Park and YOU are invited to join in the fun! This free, family-friendly event is an annual tradition with friends and neighbors gathering on the grassy expanse behind the Community Center at Washington Park.

Sunday, August 21, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Washington Park, 2025 Washington St. 

* Bring your own picnic, blanket or chairs* 
Live Music • Games for the Young and Young at Heart
Enjoy a Free Root Beer Float served by Friendly Street Church of God! 
Community Walkway of Community Organization outreach tables
Prize Drawings for Gifts from Neighborhood Businesses
The Blank Slate Banner – Give us your Feedback !

This year we will be co-hosting the picnic with our adjacent neighborhood association, Friendly Area Neighbors (FAN). Not only will you have the opportunity to meet and greet your SHiNA neighbors, now we also get the opportunity to meet and celebrate with FAN’s neighbors!

Tighten up your sandals for races for the young and young at heart! The games will happen following the first set of music, and there might even be prizes!! The park’s spray play will also be operating to keep everyone cooled off and entertained.

Come learn what is going on in our community. The community walkway offers opportunities to talk with representatives from community partners and nonprofits that benefit our neighborhood and community. You can learn what SHiNA and FAN neighborhood associations are up to and how you might become involved. Get your burning questions answered and share your comments about the work being done in the community.

Be sure to sign-in to receive a ticket for drawings for gifts from our wonderful neighborhood businesses. Our area businesses are a vital link in supporting a healthy and vibrant community, and we thank them for their donations to the picnic. (A complete list of donors will be shared at the picnic.)

Last but not least, there will be a beautiful paper banner to accept all your thoughts about your neighborhood association, what do we do well, what you would like to see happening, how can we improve and better engage. Your thoughts will help strengthen our neighborhood associations.

Help make this a waste-free event by bringing your own utensils  & taking them home! 

Eugene Ready! Disaster Preparedness Event

Registration for this event closes this coming Sunday, August 22.

What: Eugene Ready!
When: Sunday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Amazon Community Center in Eugene
Cost: Free, lunch provided by PathfinderEX

To register for the free event, please use the PFX form at:
https://www.pathfinderex.org/event-details/eugene-ready-disaster-preparedness-exercise/form

Eugene Ready!, is a hands-on, interactive event to practice emergency response skills. The sponsors and organizers are PathfinderEX, a group of veterans and medical people. The event will focus on neighborhood response during a major disaster, neighborhood surveying to find strengths and needs of those who live nearby, and neighborhood communication. This is not a power point presentation, more like a drill. The event is meant to empower neighborhoods in the event of a disaster. 

State and local guidelines for Covid will be followed.

Vaccine Clinic for Residents of the Whiteaker Neighborhood

If you have any friends or family who reside in the Whiteaker Neighborhood the WCC, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority and Wallgreens will be conducting a Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, March 12th from 10:00am – 6:00pm.

This clinic will be conducted in the Whiteaker, prioritizing eligible Whiteaker residents, but we have slots available for other neighborhood residents who are eligible under the State guidance (Phase 1A groups 1 – 4 and Phase 1B groups 1 – 5) per Oregon’s Vaccine Distribution plan. You must sign up with the form to attend.

WCC Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Friday, March 12th from 10:00am – 6:00pm

  • WCC has 400 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine for prioritized distribution to the Whiteaker community (who live, work or own property there). This is a Whiteaker-based vaccine clinic for Friday, March 12th from 10:00am – 6:00pm.
  • The doses are only for persons who are eligible by state guidelines  (Phase 1A groups 1 – 4 and Phase 1B groups 1 – 5) per Oregon’s Vaccine Distribution plan.
  • Social distancing and mask wearing will be adhered to at all times.
  • The WCC is scheduling people for appointments only if they complete this survey. Walk-in appointments are not accepted at this time.
  • Any questions about the clinic can be addressed to WCC at-large board member Ian Winbrock at WhiteakerCommunityCouncil@gmail.com or by phone / text to (530) 574-1592.

Interested in Electric Cars? – Three upcoming online events with EVEVA

EVEVA online meeting on March 8 at 5:00pm PST with Rep. Peter DeFazio on Transportation Electrification in our community. Contact Phil Barnhart for the Zoom link phil@philbarnhart.com Information can be found on the Facebook event page here.

Congressman Peter DeFazio will address federal initiatives to support transportation electrification at EVEVA’s Quarterly Meeting, by Zoom. We’ll discuss pending state legislation to support electric vehicles as well. Please join us! Write contact@eveva.org to get on a list to receive the Zoom link. Visit our website at eveva.org and look under “Upcoming Events” for more details.

EVEVA, is also offering our free Zoom workshop again on March 11 and March 16 at 7:00 pm. The online workshop is for anyone interested in finding out about electric vehicles. There is even a $1000 discount offered on the purchase of an electric car from a local dealershipThe workshop is offered in partnership with the City of Eugene, EWEB, and the University of Oregon Office of Sustainability.

Register at: revupeugene.org