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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1997)
YWCA comes alive on campus Thanks to last year's funding increase, the group is planning new programs and activities By Michael Hines Student Activities Reporter The University YWCA is reach ing out to University students and the community after several years of little activity. The association received a 46.1 percent funding increase from the Student Senate last year, and that’s part of the reason for the new activ ity, director Carissa Betancourt said. “They gave us money,” she said. “Now they want to see results, and 1 think we will [oblige].” The YWCA has outlined three major programs it wants to work on, which are being headed by re cruitment coordinator Leo Alfon so. Two of the programs involve mentorship in elementary schools. One, called Start Making a Read er Today, is a state program, and the YWCA is recruiting volunteers to read to elementary children at schools around Lane County. The other, called the Lunch Buddy program, involves Willag illespie Elementary School near Valley River Center. University students who become involved are expected to visit a student every week through May. "I think it’s important that we fo cus on children’s education, espe cially at a time when funding is be ing cut,” networking coordinator Belinda Vivier said. “That’s pretty important that we see these stu dent mentors coming in and taking the time out of their lives and dedi cating that time to personal in struction to children.” Vivier attended a youth summit conference a month ago at the Lane County Fairgrounds, where she learned that students who have had mentors in the community be come high achievers. “A lot of children need good models in their lives,” she said. “Children could be experiencing crisis. They might not have the proper role models. They might have parents that don’t know how to parent. Having a good mentor can really impact their life.” Promoting literacy is one of the association’s goals. The YWCA — which has been a University fix ture for almost 100 years — pro motes the empowerment of young women and the elimination of racism and discrimination, Alfon so said. However, she said, the associa tion is not only for women, and men are encouraged to volunteer in any of the programs. The third program that the YWCA is working on is the Safe Buddy program. The program is a revised version of a proposal An drew Oberriter presented to Uni versity Housing last year. In conjunction with the Univer sity Office of Public Safety, the YWCA wants to offer the Safe Bud dy program, a walking escort ser vice. Students could call the ser vice, and two volunteers would walk them to their destination within 10 blocks of campus. The program will require about 100 volunteers, Alfonso said. The Student Senate granted the YWCA funding to buy a new print er in Wednesday's session, and members said that is another step forward in what they believe will be a successful year. The YWCA is once more an ac tive campus group, Alfonso said. “We're here. We’ve got new peo ple working,” she said. “We’re alive again.” Campus Briefs Civil War tickets already sold out You’re three days too late if you’re looking for Civil War tickets. University ticket offices sold out of student tickets Tuesday, assistant ticket manager Colleen Standiford said. Unused student tickets be come available for friends and families the Tuesday before every home game, Standiford explained. After that time stu dents can pick up tickets for themselves or buy tickets for friends and family. This time, though, friends and families bought up the last of the 6,000 student tickets, said Rachel Astrella, in the EMU Ticket Office. imsm: Authentic Chinese Cuisine RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 947 Franklin Blvd. 343-4480 CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED CLASSICAL MUSIC, OPERA, BROADWAY, FILM SCORES & TALKING BOOKS ON COMPACT DISC Musique Gourmet Catering to the Discriminating Collector CD’S FROM $3.95 In the Fifthpearl Building 207 E. 5th Avenue OPEN 7 DAYS Free Parking 343-9000 BW SE OH “34 years of Quality Service” Mercedes • BMW • Volkswagen • Audi Berman Auto Service • MERCEDES • BMW • VOLKSWAGEN • 342-2912 • 2025 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon, 97402 "Coffee Drop by For some Coffee Counter Culture. Cool sounds meet smooth espresso at Coffee People. On Friday and Saturday nights From 8-10, Coffee People will be serving up local talent as well as our Fabuloui espresso drinks and delectable pastries. Smooth jazz, acoustic rock, Folk, world beat: call to find out what great sounds are on the schedule or just drop by For a Coffee People good time. Friday, November 21st 8-10 pm Julie Wirth Providing solo, acoustic, folk music Saturday, November 22nd 8-10 pm Grits A rock combo group Address: 840 E. 13 (acron the (tree! from the University Bookstore) Phone: 302-1771 No cover thar?e. One drink minimum For all shows.