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Telecommunications Program will provide 12 Eugene social service locations that serve homeless people, with <br />computers and three years of paid Internet service fees. <br /> <br /> <br />St. Vincent dePaul’s (SVDP) Eugene Service Station received four computers and work stations that will be used <br />by homeless single clients to access benefit programs and apply for jobs. SVDP Program Manager Roxann <br />O’Brien was thrilled, saying, “These days, computers are critical to access services. To succeed in the future, <br />many of our clients need to learn how to use the tools that so many of us have become accustomed to. Computer <br />access has become a necessity and this donation will help in many ways. Our <br />homeless job training clients are already being trained on this equipment so they <br />can receive necessary computer skills.” <br /> <br />The project is being funded with $142,000 from local telecommunication franchise <br />fees that are directed to community benefits. Community Development staff <br />teamed up with staff from the Information Services Division (ISD) to determine the <br />technology needs at each social service location. ISD will be ordering and installing <br />the equipment over the next several months. Organizations receiving assistance <br />include ShelterCare, Sponsors, SVDP, Catholic Community Services, <br />Womenspace, Laurel Hill Center and Looking Glass - at one or more of their <br />client assistance locations. <br /> <br />In addition, the Telecommunications Program provides 60-minute phone cards for homeless people that will be <br />distributed at Project Homeless Connect on March 18. <br /> <br />For more information, contact Richie Weinman of Community Development at richie.d.weinman@ci.eugene.or.us, <br />541-682-5533 or Telecommunications Program Manager Pam C. Berrian at pam.c.berrian@ci.eugene.or.us, 541- <br />682-5590 or Patricia A. Scarci of Information Services at patricia.a.scarci@ci.eugene.or.us, 541-682-5561. <br /> <br />We-gene! Awards – Honoring the Best of Neighborhood Spirit <br />Neighborhood Services is excited to announce the We-gene! Awards program, <br />created to recognize the work of neighborhood volunteers and others who <br />contribute to the livability of Eugene’s neighborhoods. Those eligible to receive <br />awards include: <br />? <br /> Recognized and active neighborhood associations per City guidelines <br />? <br /> Local educational institutions, non-profit organizations or businesses that have partnered with a City- <br />recognized neighborhood association <br />? <br /> Residential properties or privately-owned, small business properties that have made a significant <br />contribution to the beauty or identity of a neighborhood <br />? <br /> Community service projects within a neighborhood <br />? <br /> An individual who has demonstrated initiative and leadership in making a significant contribution to the <br />well-being of a neighborhood <br />? <br /> City employees nominated for an award for contributions they make that are performed in a capacity other <br />than their duties and responsibilities as a City employee <br /> <br />The process is simple—active neighborhood associations can select one eligible individual, organization or project <br />for recognition. They can also nominate one neighborhood association for Neighborhood of the Year. All <br />individual/organization/project nominations will receive a We-gene! Awards t-shirt, letter of recognition from Mayor <br />Kitty Piercy and gift certificate from a local business. A committee composed of staff and neighborhood <br />representatives will select one winner from the Neighborhood of the Year nominations to receive a $250 increase <br />in the association’s event budget. <br /> <br />We-gene! Award applications are available online at http://www.eugene-or.gov/NAleaders. Nominations are being <br />accepted until March 12. An awards event will be scheduled in April to coincide with National Volunteer Week. <br />For additional information, contact Michael Kinnison, at 541-682-5009, Michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us. <br /> <br />Neighborhood Planning Is a SNAP <br />Neighborhood Services has launched the pilot phase of Strategic Neighborhood Assessment and Planning <br />(SNAP), formerly called Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan. The SNAP process is intended as an organizing tool <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />February 11, 2010 <br />