Eugene Nonprofits and Charities

I was a law clerk this past summer at Our Children's Trust, and I had an absolutely amazing experience. I've always admired OCT's work from a distance, and I admire the organization more than ever after meeting and working with OCT's staff. Everyone at OCT is so kind and genuinely dedicated to the incredibly important work they do. I learned so much about litigation, legal research, and advocacy from the attorneys there. I'm excited to keep supporting OCT as they help their youth plaintiffs realize their rights to a livable environment and stable climate.

ELAW has global impact that makes a crucial difference. It provides scientific and legal expertise to environmental organizations around the world. This gives minimally funded environmental organizations the scientific and legal expertise they would otherwise lack that helps them win legal battles against multi-national corporations.

Tried to call and spoke with their bookkeeper. She was very rude and untransparent with her companies finances (all publicly available via reporting). Was calling to arrange a large scale donation and was hung up on. I will not use this non-profit for any events or donations.

I have been a volunteer at Cascades Raptor Center for the past 8 years and it has been a truly rewarding experience. I have volunteered with a number of organizations since retiring as a teacher (3 in Utah and 4 here in Oregon). Cascades Raptor Center ranks among the best, if not the best. <br> <br>As a volunteer, I feel like I was very well trained/mentored and have been given a wide variety of experiences (animal care, greeter, animal transport/rescue/release, and education). There are always opportunities for learning new information and skills. There are also social events that help volunteers/staff get to know each other better. Admittedly, the work (animal care) can be hard and dirty at times (I was prepared), but is so rewarding. I am still in awe, after all these years, at how lucky I am to be volunteering among such amazing raptors and people. <br> <br>The aviaries and grounds are always kept looking clean and beautiful. We have an amazingly skilled facilities crew (mostly volunteers) who do a tireless job building/fixing aviaries and numerous other tasks on the property. As a greeter, I have often heard guests mention how everything looks so nice and well taken care of. <br> <br>I am truly in awe of the dedicated staff at Cascades Raptor Center. Their backgrounds and expertise are all quite impressive, and yet they are very down-to-earth and approachable. Many are involved in their professional organizations (members, presenters, and board members/officers). They are up on and contribute to current animal training research/recommendations. The staff work just as hard as the volunteers (well, actually harder) and aren't afraid to get as dirty/sweaty/wet/cold as we do. They are always enthusiastic and willing to answer questions and share knowledge/information with volunteers and guests. From the start, I have always felt tremendous support and appreciation from the staff. <br> <br>Finally, I love volunteering at an organization whose mission focuses on both public education and rehabilitation. The health and well-being of the birds is always a top priority, along with educating the public about all things raptor-related. Cascades Raptor Center reaches a large number of people, including students, locals, and vacationers. I know most of our visitors leave with a greater knowledge and appreciation for raptors and their value to the environment which hopefully can lead to better protections for these birds. <br> <br>I highly recommend volunteering at Cascades Raptor Center for a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.

I began interning with Skipping Stones this summer and I have really enjoyed being able to read and learn from the variety of submissions we receive from all around the world. The multicultural magazine provides a platform for young adults to express themselves through art and literature and I am constantly shocked by the level of intelligence these young artists and writers possess. The best part about being able to read through all the submissions is that they are always unique and vary in length and content. Each individual entry is personal and insightful, while at the same time relatable. Topics include stories and poems about racism, friendship, family, traveling, history, nature and many more. Skipping Stones teaches you to be open minded and to embrace people from all walks of life, while simultaneously inspiring and educating you.

My daughter was excited to be accepted in the Portland Youth Community program. She applied because the program states that crew members will build trails and fences, engage in conservation work, and remove invasive plants. She was also looking forward to the educational component of the program. She wanted to work outdoors, be of service to her community, and grow her skills. She paid $200 in "tuition", with the understanding that she could earn a stipend of $375 for each of the five weeks of the program. <br> <br>Unfortunately, in her three weeks, she never got to do any trail or fence building, conservation work, and only limited invasive removal. Instead, most of her time in the program was spent doing agricultural work. Her crew spent the first two weeks weeding for small non-profit gardens. While this work may have been of service to these community gardens, it was hardly the type service described by the program. The kids were required to wear hardhats to weed pepper plants in 90+ degree weather. When my daughter asked if she could wear a hat with sun protection (far more appropriate for agricultural work), she was told the hardhats were required by OSHA. (I doubt OSHA requires hardhats for agricultural work). For the educational component of the day, they took turns reading aloud from the OSHA handbook. <br> <br>In the third week of the program, the crew was put to work on private property, removing invasives. The nonprofit organization, Friends of Trees, had planted natives on this private property, and the kids were supposed to pull out any invasive plants. The owner of the property did not allow them to use a restroom. This arrangement was not only confusing (why were the kids working on private land?), but also bad optics for NYC and Friends of Trees (BIPOC kids doing free work for a rich white guy?). I suspect that the owner was a donor to Friends of Trees, and so they gave him a kickback of free labor. All good for FoT and the rich white guy, but not so great for the kids. Meanwhile, still no sun protection, no education, and no available bathroom. This was the week my daughter decided the program was not worth her time, and gave her notice. <br> <br>The program failed in every way to deliver on their promise to these kids. They learned no new skills, and had no education of any value. The crew leaders, sadly, did not foster any sense of team spirit, but instead allowed kids to engage in discussions that were highly inappropriate to a workplace (constant talk of sex, constant sexual harassment) - hardly a "skill" you want your kid to learn on the job. <br> <br>The final blow was the "stipend" my daughter received. The website states that participants who leave the program early will be paid a prorated stipend to the last full day of work. My daughter worked 11 days, plus one day the crew was given off because the crew leaders had to go to training. So she should have earned 12 days of stipend, or $900. Instead, a month later, she was paid only $225, with no explanation. This was only $25 dollars more than what she paid in tuition, barely enough to cover transportation. $25 for 11 days of being on the job from 7:30 - 4:30. Certainly this $25 was no compensation for the incredible hoops the kids have to jump through to get into this "program". <br> <br>What a disappointment. Nevertheless, my daughter learned some good lessons: Don't take a "job" you have to pay to get. Don't sell you time for cheap. Don't work if your health and safety are not properly protected. Don't stay in a toxic environment where sexual harassment is tolerated. Don't participate in a program that doesn't deliver on its promises. My hope is that she will carry these good lessons for life. Thanks for that, anyway, NYC. <br> <br> <br>

Red Panda Network is a simply wonderful organization to volunteer for. I started off as just a fan of red pandas, and learned about the organization through visiting pandas at accredited zoos. Upon doing more research, I was amazed at the work being done by RPN, so I became a donor, then a recurring donor, and finally started volunteering for them as well. I have learned so much about how in situ conservation works because of this organization. They understand that saving a species requires helping the local humans that live there, protecting the habitat the species lives in, and so much more. My entire understanding of what it takes to save a species in the wild has grown and changed by observing the amazing work done by RPN, and seeing the amazing results that are already happening because of it!

As a mother I appreciate NCAP's diligence in reporting on and championing for pesticide alternatives. I enjoy their newsletters and updates and especially appreciate their community events. Thank you NCAP for all you do to make our world safer for our children.

blueEnergy is a fantastic organization that makes the most out of its limited resources. Nothing is wasted and operations run efficiently and effectively. More importantly, they are committed to employing local citizens which makes for and excellent cultural exchange. It also builds local capacity to solve problems so that impact can last even after volunteers leave.

Wow! Looks like it's been three years since my last review and I'm still here! :) Previously I'd mentioned the founders' endless commitment and compassion, and it's still going strong. I'm so proud to be part of an organization that is so clear and dedicated to its mission, the communities in which they operate, and the volunteers. One of many experiences I'll never forget is when they'd arranged to deliver and fit twin, 16-year old boys with donated power-chairs. These practically full-grown 'young men' had been being carried by their mother, who was a small woman! The whole town came out for the occasion and they'd brought snacks and even a pinata. Gayle and volunteers were helping to fit the chairs properly, and once they were finished and the family was trained in how to care for and keep the chairs charged, those boys took off. Watching their faces as they experienced physical freedom for the first time was absolutely unforgettable.

This organization does the work that I would love to do but simply can't make an impact as an individual. Since they fight for the causes I believe in and are quite successful in winning these battles, I am happy to support them. You should consider these honorable folks to support as well.

I've been involved with the Long Tom for over ten years, first as a volunteer and now as a Board member too. Originally volunteering to slosh through creeks seining for macro invertebrates I got to know the restoration staff and director. Their commitment to watershed restoration was inspiring. After attending some meetings I was impressed with the grassroots nature of the organization, and how a Board of disparate personalities and occupations could work so well together in pursuit of a common goal. That combined enthusiasm and dedication of staff and Board is what has kept me coming back all these years. I've served on quite a few non profit Boards over the last thirty years, and this is by far my favorite. All organizations should be so well run - and as much fun!

This is a great program. Students get hands-on learning in the outdoors. The staff are caring and knowledgeable. My daughter was thrilled when she learned how to start a camp fire using a bow-drill. We go for walks and she can point out certain plants and explain their properties and uses. After spending time with this program, her confidence in the outdoors has increased.

McKenzie River Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means McKenzie River Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. McKenzie River Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.

I should start by saying, that i typically do not take time to write reviews. Having said that, i felt compelled to share my thoughts on the National Trail Association as well as their Executive Director Al LePage. I first met Al in 1998. Al knocked on our door one evening as he was out canvassing and raising money for NCTA. I was blown away by Al's passion for the issue of trails and trail access along our coast. His knowledge of the issue, his caring and his clear desire to work at a grass-roots effort to move the needle helped to persuade me to make a donation from what was a very tight personal budget. Since that night, Al has kept us up to date on all the good work that is being accomplished at the NCTA. I have consistently been amazed at the amount the NCTA has been able to get done with such a small budget. Often, i see non-for-profits with bloated budgets that mostly go to overhead, salaries and fancy offices. The NCTA could not be further from that model. Al just gets it done and with such a small amount of resources. That fact, along with Al's earnest and deep passion as well as knowledge of the issue - keeps us giving every year. I would encourage others to take a meeting with Al and i am sure they will see what i have tried to explain in this note. Namely, that the NCTA is a great group, doing important work and run by a skilled and passionate leader.

Oregon Toxics Alliance has a new name, Beyond Toxics, which indicates the forward thinking of this public health advocacy group. Serving the public interest in Lane County, Oregon the reach of this organization can be said to encompass the entire Southern Willamette Valley and beyond. Air Quality - effective campaigns include: Benzene Partnership Program with Don't Idle and Don't Top Off related to gas powered vehicles. This program has reached many schools, businesses and public institutions. Oregon's legislative 2009 field burning ban is another great example. OTA was part of the public health advocates helping lawmakers understand that field burning is detrimental to healthy lungs and healthy hearts. <br>My personal knowlege is of asthma sufferers whose condition is worsened every summer by field burning smoke. OTA report on field burning and hazardous air toxins. Submitted as testimony at the Legislature. You may read the report here :http://www.oregontoxics.org/field_burn/whitepaper/whitepaper.html <br>Water Quality Issues - Involuntary Toxics Exposures - Industrial Forestry use of pesticides is the focus of the 2012 camaign for public health. Among many too numerous to list.