Silva And Bennett Warm Connection Project (Photo) -01/14/25
ROSEBURG, OR – H.O.P.E. Drug Court graduate phase participants remind the community of their scheduled event to provide warm food and warming items to local unhoused individuals.
The Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court program has scheduled the 108th graduation ceremony on February 3, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in the Community Hall building. Graduate hopefuls Catherine Silva and Shane Bennett have partnered to create an event during a standard Connecting Point day on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Adapt Opioid Treatment Center Parking lot, located at 406 NE Winchester Street in Roseburg from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. or until food and items are gone.
Connecting Point is a mobile navigation program created from discussions and concerns brought forward in the Behavioral Health and Housing subcommittee to the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC). It is comprised of many local organizations who have volunteers available to attend all or multiple locations during the Monday through Friday sites and serve Myrtle Creek, Winston, Sutherlin, several locations in Roseburg and recently added Drain. Dane Zahner, HIV Alliance, leads the committee and works with organizations to maintain locations that are best suited to meet with people in need who are unhoused, and provides monthly reports to the LPSCC subcommittee. Services at Connecting Point locations include a shower trailer, Naloxone, hygiene kits, assurance phones, mental health and substance use service connections, employment services, Veteran services, clothing, and more. The flyer is included on the Douglas County website within the LPSCC portion on the Resources page.
Catherine Silva has been working to find sponsors to assist with the cost for a spaghetti feed by either food donations or money. Silva stated, “If you want change to happen then become the change. Everyone is deserving of love and kindness and that’s where it can start with one simple act of kindness.” Her partner, Bennett, is reaching out for assistance to gather warming items such as socks, hats, gloves, scarves and hand/foot warmers. He has arranged a drop off donation box at the local HIV Alliance office located at 647 W Luellen Dr Suite #3 in Roseburg.
During the Drug Court Pitch Panel, participants discuss their community project ideas to a panel who has opportunity to ask questions, suggest ideas, or express concerns. Once approved, the participant has a specific timeframe to complete the project. This time, the panel consisted of the HOPE Drug Court Judge, Court Coordinator, LPSCC Coordinator, Treatment Team, Parole and Probation Officer, Sheriff Deputy and Commissioner Chris Boice. Boice offered and has provided trash bags to promote to the unhoused the idea of bringing in a filled bag of trash from their site to drop off at the event in exchange for the warm meal and warming items. Commissioner Boice stated, “I have a huge heart to help those in need but also want to make sure they help keep areas clean and habitable for all.” Commissioner Boice also offered to provide a trash trailer and to haul all refuge received to the Douglas County Transfer Station.
Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court, with Honorable Judge Robert B. Johnson, operates under the jurisdiction of Douglas County Circuit Court. The specialized team approach within the Douglas County Court structure is designed to reduce recidivism, address substance use disorders, and provide the opportunity to look beyond the criminal act to consider the larger context of their life and future. Community projects during the graduate phase is a time for participants to show their personal growth, societal development, and an internal shift that pushes them to reach a higher potential.
To view the graduate flyers, go to https://douglascountyor.gov/851/HOPE-Drug-Court.
