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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1981)
Switchboard unites callers, queries By FRAN HANSON Of ttm Emerald Need a ride to San Francisco? Or information about emergen cies, food, jobs — even term papers? Switchboard, a non-profit in formation and referral service for Lane County may have the answers. Located downtown in a small room on the second floor of the old Tiffany building, Switch board is a veritable information bank. Community volunteers and three staff members work with an extensive file of com munity organizations to connect callers with community services and resources. "The whole idea is if you ask us a question we ll find you an answer. Occassionally we ll even help with papers, but not too much," says agency direc tor Jay Stutz. Switchboard connects peo ple with mainstream or tradi tional social service agencies and alternative and special in terest groups. It also offers housing and job listings, lost and found information on pets, a free public message service, community events information and calendar and a 24-hour rideline. The ride-share program, a kind of long-distance carpool, is free for students. Switchboard volunters connect people who are offering rides with those who need rides. It takes only a phone call to find out about available rides, but signing up for a ride means making a visit to the agency. Switchboard likes to make eye contact with people offering or needing rides as a screening process. The agency also sponsors a ride board in the EMU. According to Stutz, Christmas is the busiest time of year for ride-sharing. Although most rides are regional, the San Francisco-Eugene route is the most popular. Another special Switchboard service is a Human Services State doctors prescribe legal abortion support i_cyaii4.cu auui uui i yan iou u it support of the Oregon Medical Association Sunday, but the doctors wouldn't oppose Con gress’ Human Rights Amend ment. An American Medical As sociation resolution to "strongly oppose” the amendment was called redundant by OMA members. Both the OMA and the AMA have supported legalized abortions since 1973. But Lane County delegate Munir Katul argued that no action on the resolution would be perceived as weakening the association’s support of abor tion. "Timing is important,” Katul said. “Reaffirming our position does carry clout in Congress and society." Portland physician Russell Sacco argued that bringing up illauui uvi i uyun i juwi rips apart our organization.” “What’s the resolution going to change?" Sacco asked. “The AMA is committed to no government interference with abortion." In other action the association: • Approved development of a voluntary system to control im proper prescribing of mood-al tering drugs. • Supported the concept of hospice care for cancer pa tients. • Endorsed legislation that would label raw milk with a warning. • Opposed House Bill 288, which would prohibit the regulation of fuel used in stoves and fireplaces. Doctors argued that air contamination from the use of coal could cause com munity health problems. Law School Graduate Remember the deadline for ordering caps and gowns is Thursday, April 30. Be sure and order yours now! Custom engraved announcements available. uo BOOKSTORE 13th & Kincaid Mon-Fri 8:15-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Textbooks 686-3520 • General Books 686-3510 • Supplies 686-4331 Directory and a Women’s Yel low Pages. The directory lists 275 organizations in Lane County and costs $20. A copy is available for use at the agency. Like many other service agencies, Switchboard is facing funding problems. Because of CETA cutbacks, the agency’s current paid staff of three may be cut back to one in July unless other funding is found. Currently, the agency is sup ported by Joint City/County Revenue Sharing funds, CETA, private donations and fund raising activities. Switchboard began as a grassroots organization in the spring of 1969, in a small Eugene coffeehouse. At the time there was no central information center in town. Last year when the county lost its information center, it funded Switchboard, making it WILDERNESS QUARTER High Sierra Backpacking Field Courses • Mountain Ecology • SUMMER 5 UNITS FALL 15 UNITS ABSOLUTELY WILD Phone (408) 429-2822 or write: Wilderness Studies Sierra Institute, Carriage House UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ Santa Cruz, Ca. 95064 the county’s official information center. According to Stutz, that meant releasing old values and breaking into the straight "mainstream” community. The result was an agency that works for both the traditional and al ternative communities. The University plays a large part in Switchboard’s success, Stutz says The organization’s 25 volunteers are University students involved in ESCAPE or the Community Service and Public Affairs program Switchboard’s hours are 8 a m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a m to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The main phone number, 686-8453, becomes a recorded message after hours and their new emergency number is 343-HELP The 24-hour rideline number is 345-7600 G i l G G G b SPRING TERM MEDITATION CLASSES The SRI CHINMOY CENTRE of Eugene will be offering a free 5 week class in meditation beginning Monday, April 27th at 7:00 pm. This term our first two classes will be held in the EMU Forum Room. There is no charge for any meditation classes offered by the SRI CHINMOY CENTRE. For more information call 683-6128 or 485-8050 s a s fti-rrif* THE 25 HOUR CONTACT LENS IS HERE After years of waiting, the extended-wear contact lens is on the market. And we have it. In stock, ready for you. Work, play, sleep. Do it all in the 25-Hour Lens. At the Contact Lens Clinic of Eugene our only business is contact lenses. Contact Lens Clinic of Eugene 683-2224 401 E. 10th walking distance to the University Dr. Philip Stockstad. Optometrist Visa and Mastercharge Welcome Financing Available on Approved Credit
