Eugene HRC approves two $1,000 community sponsorships for refugee welcome event and homelessness memorial

The Eugene Human Rights Commission approved two separate $1,000 sponsorships during its meeting. The first vote authorized $1,000 to Catholic Community Services’ Refugee and Immigrant Services Program (RISP) to support a Nov. 14 “Welcoming Our New Neighbors” ticketed event that mixes fundraising and education about refugee resettlement. Zoe Lively Brooks, volunteer coordinator for RISP, asked the commission to provide a table and noted the program’s legal‑service and volunteer matching work.

Later in the meeting the commission approved a second $1,000 allocation to support the homelessness and poverty work group’s National Homeless Persons Memorial Day event on Dec. 21 at the Farmers Market Pavilion (3:30–7:30 p.m.). Commissioner Bradley, who chairs the homelessness work group, said the request covers venue costs and event expenses; the work group recommended inviting a keynote speaker with lived experience or an advocate to read names of people who died while unhoused.

Both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote; the chair recorded a 5‑0 result for the Catholic Community Services sponsorship and commissioners confirmed approval for the homelessness memorial allocation. Commissioners also discussed the HRC participation requirement for sponsored events — staff said HRC presence can be satisfied by attending or by assisting with planning and outreach — and volunteers were solicited for event setup and cleanup.