Eugene Nonprofits and Charities

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.

CLOUD/GREENHILL AUGUST 20, 2023 <br>The following is regarding recent activities for a lost cat by Greenhill <br> <br> <br>Recently, I was disappointed and actually appalled by GreenHills response regarding the happenings of a cat that was found and brought into GreenHill. <br> <br>I was actually considering donating to GreenHill, however, the method that they used when this cat was brought in seriously concerns me with regard to their methods and actions. <br> <br>A cat was brought in, and Greenhill told the people that they would NOT take the cat and try to find the owners because it “looked healthy and like it had owners.” so, Greenhill released the cat back to the people who found it, who took it over 10 miles from where the cat lives and they released it into the neighborhood. Where it DIDN’T COME FROM. <br> <br>The owners came to Greenhill, looking for their cat and was told what had happened to it. The cat was CHIPPED, BUT GREENHILL DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CHEK IT OUT, WHICH, IF THEY HAD, WOULD HAVE FOUND THE OWNERS IMMEDIATELY AND THE CAT WOULD HAVE GONE HOME. <br> <br>SO, HAD GREENHILL DONE THE PROPER THING, the cat brought in by the people who found it, would have been checked out for a chip, Greenhill would have immediately found the owners and the cat would have been returned home. <br> <br>Now, if Greenhill does not have a chip reader, THEY SHOULD HAVE!!! This is exactly why, those of us who can, get our pets chipped so if they get lost can be found and returned in a quick manner. <br> <br>It is why my cat is chipped. I DIDN’T REALLY HAVE THE BUDGET FOR IT, BUT FELT THAT TO BE A CARING AND RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER, I SHOULD DO IT. <br> <br>To be an animal shelter, and not have the proper tools to return lost animals to their owners is unconscionable, and poor service to the community. <br> <br>To release a pet into strangers care when they have done NOTHING to find the owners is unconscionable and poor service to the community. <br> <br>The very LEAST Greenhill COULD have done would be to take the cat and keep it for a few days until the owners would have come in looking for it. Checked to see if there was a chip that would lead them to the owners. <br>But they DID NOTHING. <br> <br>THIS POOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHY I WILL NEVER SUPPORT GREENHILL. THEY ARE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PET CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY. <br> <br>THIS LETTER WILL GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY SHOWING THE POOR JUDGEMENT AND ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF ANIMALS IN THE LANE COUNTY AREA, AND HOPEFULLY BRING ACTION REGARDING GREENHILL’S POLICIES AND BEHAVIOR. <br> <br>I only recently had reason to visit Greenhill, and thought their methods to be fairly organized regarding pet adoption. But their methods regarding lost pets is appalling and severely lacking in responsibility and proper actions. <br> <br>SHAME ON GREENHILL FOR SUCH A TERRIBLE POLICY AND LACK OF COMPASSION AND RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD PETS AND THEIR OWNERS. <br> <br>

Reiki Home is offering a series called Master Story. Reiki Masters who have practiced for over 30 years share their paths and experiences. Each has a unique background and story to tell. Listening enriches my life and is invaluable. I’m deeply grateful - thank you Reiki Home!

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 volunteered with Bags of Love,for 10 years.This organization is incredible for helping children in need.We give out over 200 bags each month for kids,that really can use the help.We provide a bag with several outfits of clothes,toiletry items,books,toys,school supplies and a stuffed animal.If you love to volunteer,this is the place for you.We have sewers,quilters,office helpers,shoppers,bag fillers,clothes sorters and more.We really are making a difference to so many children in our community.

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.

As a parent of a delightful son on the autism spectrum, for 25 years I have participated with Kind Tree as a volunteer with the art program outreaching at community events and venues, hosting an adult peer support group, as well as helping with the annual Friends and Families Camp now engaging 250 campers, care providers, family members and volunteers. Currently I serve as the Kind Tree Board President. <br>My reason for continuing with Kind Tree includes my son, certainly. When I talk with other people experiencing autism, parents, caregivers and the folks we support at Camp, their first comment is, "This is the first time my client, or my child or myself feel accepted and allowed to be who we are." <br>Instead of saying, "You poor thing. How can we fix you," Kind Tree says, "So, you experience autism. What do you want to do?" Whether it is teaching skills or having fun, Kind Tree seeks to lift up all who seek us out.<br>Michael Omogrosso 541-844-8719

The IWRC has been an indispensable part of the work I've done within wildlife rehabilitation - whether for networking with other people in the field, expanding my vision of wildlife rehabilitation or supporting me with educational materials and courses. The team has been extremely welcoming and is always open to new ideas to move the profession forward.

The villages where India Partners is working are in desperate need. I understand that safe water is a key to transformation, by bringing safe water the lives of children are changed in areas of health and education. India Partners selects very specific villages where my donation will do the most good. I know that my gift is making a difference.

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>

I enjoy having Jaydenar and Kimberly in ballet. They love it and the cleanliness is exquisite.

Food for Lane county goes far beyond most food bank programs to tackle food needs from so many angles; local food barrel collections, coupons for food donations, local food distributions in various communities including senior home areas, where it is set up like a store, not a hand out feeling for the clients. The application process for client's isn't demeaning and allows the client's dignity in receiving food. <br> <br>I not only donate food to them, I also have donated 'non edible food' as well, because they also run programs for recycling waste of food that cannot be given as 'food' for their population, helping out the local sanitation with recycling needs as well.

I started volunteering with Dove over a year ago and was blown away with how loving, kind and open the staff were. I was just helping wash laundry for them once a month but they started to invest in me personally. This organization is filled with professional and passionate people. Every single person that comes in is communicated to that it is their choice, they have time and we will listen. It is completely a patient centered process and facility. Every person working at Dove is all in to care for these patients, absolutely no matter what! No matter the individual's circumstances, beliefs or decision. They are loved and cared for at Dove. Plus the services are free and confidential. It is truly unbelievable.

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.

I just want to say that I would not take you cat here. I got my sweet mia fixed here because I couldn’t afford to go to our other vet to get her spay. They did the surgery super fast and I got her back within the same day. But day two Mias lower stomach area where she got her incision started to swell and got infected. We did everything the vets told us to do and when we tried to go back in to get the free checkup that we were offered they said we’d have to wait till later that week to get her in. But that was too late because her incision was already pretty bad day 3. We took her to our normal vet and they had to clean, disinfectant, and stitch up her incision because they (WAG) used glue to hold her skin together when they should’ve done stitches. Even our vet told us that they get a lot of animals that have problems who got work done here and many of them don’t make it. We were lucky and got mia in soon enough to give her antibiotics and as of right now she’s doing okay. But unless you desperately need your cat fixed I would go somewhere else so you don’t have to go through what I just went through with my sweet mia.

The Relief Nursery provides invaluable guidance and support for families in crisis and is making a real difference in the community by focusing on families and helping them find safety sand stability by providing them with the tools and resources to be functional families.<br>

HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response is the only "comfort dog" organization recognized by our local Emergency Management structure. They are professional, kind, caring, organized and invaluable!

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.

I've been a member of Assistance League of Eugene since 2009 and think this is an outstanding non-profit organization. Part of the National Assistance League, which is more than 100 years old, the Eugene chapter was founded in 1973 and chartered in 1978. Membership has grown to 243 this year and several founding members are still active. Members volunteer more than 24,000 service hours annually. <br> <br>Assistance League of Eugene's mission is to provide programs that will enhance the quality of life in our community. We currently have seven philanthropic programs which assist nearly 4,000 people in need: Operation School Bell (new school clothes for children in need); Children's Dental Center (dental care for children without insurance); Operation Bookshelf (library materials for homebound patrons); Oregon Heritage (historical museum programs for children and seniors); Operation Hug a Bear (teddy bears for people in crisis); Welcome Basket (home supplies for families and veterans in transitional housing); and Caring and Sharing (music and fellowship with seniors). <br> <br>These programs are funded primarily by proceeds from our Assistance League Thrift Shop, which is staffed by members with merchandise donated by the community. Supplemental income is raised through grant-writing and additional fund-raising activities. 88% of all funds raised are returned to the community. <br> <br>Assistance League of Eugene's motto is "Caring and Commitment in Action." Members volunteer their time, energy, and enthusiasm because they love what they do and know it's for a good cause. That's why I'm a member and plan to be for a long time to come.

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.

The folks who volunteer at S.A.R.A's really go above and beyond. As a local business owner dedicated to the ethical treatment of animals, I greatly appreciate what they do - they really go above and beyond. My family donates all of our gently used items that we no longer want to S.A.R.A.'s. Please support them!

Steve is my hero and the reason i love animals and nature i am beyond honored to have grown up watching him literally save the ?????? nd i miss him everyday I hope soon I'll be able to join his cause

I used to be a kid that couldn't even step foot outside my bedroom door, but then i found Wellsprings. For the first time i could go to a school where people knew what i was going through and more than that, knew how to deal with it. If not for Wellsprings i never would've finished my education. Yet now i stand proud with a high school diploma and have even gone on to become part of the Wellsprings board of trustees.