Our Impact
The Whiteaker Community Council (WCC) has served the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene for 50 years as the primary Community-Based Organization providing services to Whiteaker residents, particularly those who have been socially and economically marginalized and disadvantaged.
WCC does this to empower Eugene's poorest neighborhood and its members, primarily through art, educational, public health, and sustainable economic development activities via an open and democratically elected board.
Among WCC’s extensive portfolio of recent grant funded programs:
We are so excited to announce:
Healthy Homes Program
AARP Community Challenge
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In partnership with AARP:
WCC will be expanding digital connectivity during emergencies by distributing backup cell phone chargers to neighbors 50+.
We will be increasing internet locations where community members can get the info they need to respond to disasters during power outages.
Small Garden Program
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In partnership with Healthier Together Oregon:
82% of the Whiteaker are renters and have limited space for gardening. WCC’s Small Garden Program has been a great success at the Whiteaker Community Market, distributing over 180 veggie starts, organic soil and the gardening buckets in which to grow food.
In the Fall of 2024, we will be educating and distributing composting buckets that will grow nutrient rich soil over the winter time.
Disaster Resiliency Program
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In partnership with the CDC Foundation, OHA, CERT , City of Eugene Emergency Management and EWEB:
WCC’s Public Health & Safety Committee has engaged and supported the community in tools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises with public training events, free go-bag supplies, Map your Neighborhood training and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) enrollment.
Housing is Healthcare
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In partnership with Oregon Health Authority:
WCC provided $235,000 in rental aid assistance, serving 61 families in total.
Of those 61 families, 45 children were kept stabilized within their homes, offering continuity in their education and communities, thus having better chances of mental health and personal growth.
11 families had their evictions halted or reversed.
9 families in total were moved out of living in cars or on the streets into stable housing.
At this time, we are paused to assess funding but hope to be able to offer assistance again in the future.
For immediate alternate sources of rent assistance, please go to https://www.211info.org, or call dial 211.
Art in the Whiteaker
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In partnership with the CDC Foundation:
WCC created a pilot program with the City of Eugene to paint 9 large scale murals on street intersections and crosswalks in the Whiteaker to celebrate the strength of community health.
Built a Free Wall, sanctioned by the City of Eugene, where artists can freely express themselves on a permanent 8ft wood canvas along a river bike path.
Built an art installation walk-in phone booth titled “Reflections” that captured community member memories of the pandemic and social movement resulting from the death of George Floyd that will be released as a time capsule podcast for the City of Eugene.
Commissioned 8 artists to create “20 is Plenty” yard art signs for promoting traffic calming in high pedestrian and bike areas.
Protected Together
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In partnership with FEMA, Oregon Health Authority, White Bird, HIV Alliance, Eugene Mission and Lane County Public Health:
WCC hosted a total of 16 Covid-19 Wellness Clinics, vaccinating 1,364 people, of which 115 were children, passed out hundreds of free food boxes, Covid tests and provided co-location of health services and gift cards to local businesses.
Distributed PPE, Covid tests, and hand sanitizer stations to businesses and community members.
Placed 2 free standing hand washing sinks for community residents at the City of Eugene Skinner Farm Safe Sleep site.