Keeping Lane County's Youth Connected to Their Own Backyard
Connected Lane County runs three hands-on programs that help young people across all 16 school districts find their footing in education and work.
Three Programs, One Purpose
Connected Lane County works across every school district in the county, running three distinct programs aimed at helping young people discover what comes next. Elevate focuses on career-connected learning, taking students out of the classroom and into workplaces through job shadows, internships, and industry tours. Navigate is a re-engagement program, reaching youth who have stepped away from school and helping them complete their education and move toward employment.
Why It Matters Here
Lane County already has a lot to offer young people, and Connected Lane County is built on the idea that those young people should stay to be part of it. The organization's work is aimed at getting youth genuinely excited about opportunities that exist close to home, rather than feeling they have to look elsewhere to find a future.
“We really want to see our youth stay in Lane County and thrive here, and so part of the work that we're doing is getting them excited about what's possible in their own backyard.”
Connected Lane County
A Community Worth Investing In
The leader behind Connected Lane County came to the Eugene and Springfield area from a large city, and the contrast shaped how she thinks about the region. She describes a place where it is still possible to be present for family, attend her children's activities, and remain deeply involved in the community, all at once.