The main goal of this project was to provide unhoused people in Eugene safer access to the dining resources provided by Food for Lane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team behind the project was a collaboration between the UO School of Architecture’s Spatial Justice program and the American Institute of Architecture Students Freedom by Design group.
Food insecurity is an issue that many university students face. The Student Food Pantry was founded in 2011 and has served many University of Oregon students throughout the years, but its services have limitations. The Student Food Pantry is a small space that gets most of their food from the local food bank, which doesn’t always have access to high-protein, nonperishable food.
Equal access to science, technology, engineering, and math fields are limited, specifically focusing in coding. This gap is what inspired Michelle Lo to bring an Hour of Code event to the Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley. The goal of the service grant is to spark interest in coding and the STEM field to children in the Eugene community who may not normally get the exposure.
The UO chapter of LiveMove sponsors a yearly speaker series to promote healthy and sustainable communities through increased transportation, livability, and advocacy. Their 2016 speaker series focused on advocacy and equity, and showcased a variety of speakers. The service grant was able to help promote family biking in the Eugene/Springfield community.
Helping make sustainable change in early childhood development in Lane County was the goal of this Service Grant project. In partnership with Head Start of Lane County, Selam Wako implemented Recess Time from Playworks—a program that would make an impact beyond its completion. Through this project, five local early childhood educators were trained and supported in facilitating Recess Time, which helps children build their social and interpersonal skills by engaging them in structured and unstructured intentional play.
Having a calming space to relax and take a break from life’s pressures is important, especially at a hospital, where high-stress situations are often present. Through this Service Grant, Jessica Adams partnered with with Junction City Oregon State Hospital and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Lane County—which has a resource center at the hospital—to create a Serenity Garden. The garden is used by patients, staff, and visitors as a place of reflection, quiet, and meditation. Through this project, NAMI is able to increase its services to rural Lane County residents.
