Groundbreaking Ceremony for Sponsors New $5.5 Million Prisoner Reentry Facility

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

County Commissioner Rob Handy, Mayor Kitty Piercy, Board Chair Richard Greene, Sheriff Russ Burger, Executive Director Ron Chase and City Councilor Andrea Ortiz break ground on Sponsors new men's facility on Hwy 99 in Eugene.

For over 35 years Sponsors has been providing reentry services to ex-offenders in Lane County.  Sponsors provides housing, case management, assistance with employment and schooling and practical support to approximately 300 men and women annually, who account for about 35% of the ex-offenders released to Lane County county.   "Sponsors Inc. has an exemplary history in this community of providing transitional housing for the ex-offender population,” said State Senator Vicki Walker.

The project will build a new housing and program services complex, consolidating housing for ex-offenders from two scattered and aging rented buildings, saving over $100,000 in annual rental expenses and increase Sponsors’ capacity by 21 beds of transitional housing to accommodate the growing need for housing for homeless ex-offenders released to Lane County.  The 44 unit facility will house approximately 72 men and include a warehouse to store donations, food, and sundry goods. 

The $5.5 million dollar project will combine funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services (Low Income Housing Tax Credits), the City of Eugene and Lane County (City/HOME), the Veteran’s Administration (Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem), the Collins Foundation, community contributions and a variety of other public and private sources.

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included Mayor Kitty Piercy, Sheriff Russ Burger, County Commissioner Rob Handy, and City Councilor Andrea Ortiz.  “The Sponsors program has proven to be a cost-effective means of providing structure and support  . . . and is an integral part of Lane County’s continuum of criminal justice services,” said Sheriff Burger.

This day honored the efforts of the last two years and the beginning of a new journey for Sponsors that will end with the completion of a facility dedicated to meeting the needs of the increasing numbers ex-offenders returning to Lane County from state correctional facilities.

Sponsors Groundbreaking in the News:

KEZI News - May 30, 2009

KVAL News Story - June 9, 2009

www.kval.com/news/local/47482277.html

Eugene Weekly - June 11, 2009

www.eugeneweekly.com/2009/06/11/news.html#3

Architectural Drawing of Sponsors new Men's Facility

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In loving memory

Barbara Nicholls, long time board member and community volunteer died Feb. 4 of pancreatic cancer at age 82. Barbara touched the daily lives of the board, staff and clients of Sponsors. Her dedication and service will be missed. (Read more about Barbara under "Sponsors in the News" link)

 We need your support to help us complete our ambitious plan to expand our capacity.  Your donation will make a huge difference in our ability to serve more people. Click the donate button on the left of the screen to give today.  Thank you!

SPONSORS IN THE NEWS: FRONT PAGE REGISTER-GUARD STORY (10/16/08) Click here

Watch our 9 minute video about Sponsors
Slow Connection |  Fast Connection

Sponsors is based on the belief that people can and do change, and that a strategic intervention at the appropriate moment can serve as a catalyst in that change.

Sponsors Mission Statement

To assist men and women from Lane County released from Oregon State correctional facilities and the Lane County jail in making a successful re-entry into the community. Success results in:

• a safer community 
• the reunification of families and children
• the establishment of the released offender as a positive role model for his/her children
• citizens who pay taxes and are contributing, productive members of the community.

Sponsors, Inc.
1756 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR  97405
Phone: 541.485.8341
Fax:541.683.6196