The Youth Workgroup of the Human Rights Commission, with support from Equity and Human Rights Office Staff, and intern Adam Anderson from the Family and Human Services program at the University of Oregon, conducted extensive outreach to youth between September 2012-May 2013. Over 600 responses were gathered from throughout Eugene from young people age 13-20 answering the question, “What would you like community leaders to know about what it is like to be a youth in Eugene?”
Participants included students at South Eugene, North Eugene and Willamette high schools, Kennedy Middle School, Lane Community College and downtown streets. The answers were provided in the form of “6 Word Essays,” many accompanied with colorful artwork, and collected on 5x7 cards. The format allowed participants to project their message in a poignant way, in their own words and their own hand. The responses displayed in this gallery demonstrate a spectrum of perspectives, concerns, hopes, and requests. They have been organized according to themes that emerged from the responses themselves.
This gallery of youth voices will be unveiled at the Youth Voices for Eugene Leaders event May 17, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Fir Room of the EMU on the University of Oregon campus. Community leaders are encouraged to attend to gain more perspective on the experience of youth in Eugene and also to provide their own 6 Word Essay responses. The gallery will become a traveling display and shared with interested organizations.
For more information on the Youth Voices for Eugene Leaders event or the Human Rights Commission please contact Lindsey Foltz, Equity and Human Rights, 541-682-5619, lindsey.m.foltz@ci.eugene.or.us.