The downtown core of Eugene welcomed a new resource for its youngest residents on Monday, Sept. 28, when the Youth HUB officially opened its doors at 44 W. Seventh Ave. Designed for ages 14 to 24, the center offers a safe, community‑oriented space where teens can play board games, craft, receive career advice and, when needed, access professional counseling.
Connecting Youth to Essential Services
“An important part of what we’re able to do is to help connect young people with the resources,” said Jesse Nelson, executive director of Connected Lane County, the nonprofit that helped launch the hub. The hub’s mission is not to provide every service directly, but to serve as a one‑stop navigation point that links youth to shelters, mental‑health care, college planning and job‑training programs.
Three local nonprofits—Connected Lane County, Ophelia’s Place and A Family for Every Child—joined forces to create the space. Each organization will donate staff to staff the hub, ensuring that trained professionals are on hand during its operating hours, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What the Hub Offers
During an open‑house ribbon‑cutting on Sept. 26, visitors found a bustling scene: checkers and Scrabble games lined a shelf, a crafts table was busy with bracelet‑making, and computers lined a wall for job‑search assistance. Shelves stocked with ramen noodles and canned food provide quick snacks for those who need them.
Ophelia’s Place will staff the hub every Thursday with a team of four—two mental‑health clinicians and two additional support staff. “We’ve got folks who are trained and able to listen and support,” said Laura Sanchez, executive director of Ophelia’s Place. When a young person needs more intensive help, staff can refer them to partner agencies for counseling, shelter placement or educational services.
Youth Voices Shaped the Design
The hub’s layout and programming were shaped by input from local teens. Nineteen‑year‑old Nicolle Marroquin‑Leon and Kyra Haas, also 19, shared their ideas during planning sessions. Haas explained, “Youth today need a community‑oriented space where they can just be themselves, get resources and hang out.” Marroquin‑Leon added, “My favorite part was the crafting table—painting, making buttons—something creative to occupy time and keep our creativity alive.”
Supporting Families and the Community
For parents, the hub offers peace of mind. By providing a supervised environment where teenagers can engage in positive activities and receive guidance, families gain a reliable resource that complements home support. The hub’s collaborative model reflects a broader community commitment to strengthen families and uphold the values that keep neighborhoods safe and thriving.
Community leaders see the hub as a model for future initiatives. “I think this model of collaboration is exactly what the community needs,” Sanchez said. With its focus on connection rather than duplication of services, the Youth HUB aims to fill gaps that have long existed for Oregon’s young people.
For more information about programming, volunteer opportunities or how to refer a young person, visit connectedlane.org/youthhub.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
