West Lane
Florence, Mapleton, Deadwood, Swisshome, and Surrounding Areas
Coordinator: Jeanne Shannon
Co-Chairs: Teresa LaNasa and Sheila Perletti
The West Lane 90by30 Regional Leadership Team consists of more than a dozen volunteers who live or work in the communities of Florence, Mapleton, and Deadwood. The team is responsible for fundraising, choosing and implementing programs throughout the region, partnering with local organizations on behalf of children’s issues, and coordinating efforts with the main office in Eugene.
Since 2018, West Lane has delivered almost 100 Welcome Baby Bundles to expectant families. This gift is available to all parents expecting a baby in West Lane. The team has also completed two years of the school-based Roots of Empathy program in five classrooms in Florence and one classroom in Mapleton.
90by30’s presence in West Lane is sustained by volunteers. If you have a passion for keeping children safe and creating communities that nurture all kids and families, you’re invited to join the Regional Leadership Team, which meets monthly for decision-making and guidance of local activities. There are also opportunities to join one of the smaller workgroups.
The team has received grants and donations and welcomes any contributions. “We value every gift, whether large or small,” says Coordinator Jeanne Shannon. “We are very excited and dedicated to continue doing all we can to help prevent child abuse in West Lane.”
Get in Touch with West Lane
Strategies in West Lane
Welcome Baby
This gift to the newest members of the West Lane community provides carefully selected items, as well as a binder with local resources – all delivered by a caring community member. A safety kit, a book and toy, organic clothing, a handmade “tummy time” quilt, and a hand-knitted infant cap are just some of the items in the Welcome Baby Bundle. Also included is the Period of PURPLE Crying, a training program shown to reduce Shaken Baby Syndrome by normalizing the intense crying experienced by some babies. The Bundle not only offers concrete resources but connects families with neighbors who can provide a support system for new parents.
Roots of Empathy
This classroom-based program cultivates empathy in children in order to build more caring, peaceful, and civil societies. Through interactions with an infant and caregiver, and with the guidance of a Roots of Empathy Instructor, children learn to identify and understand the feelings of the baby, then their own feelings and those of others. 90by30 has partnered with Roots of Empathy to bring this program to 50 first- and second-grade classrooms in Lane County.
What’s Next
The team is preparing to implement a new program, 40 Developmental Assets. This strategy, from the Search Institute, is a program that promotes healthy child development. It identifies 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of these positive “assets” are external, focusing on the relationships and opportunities youth need in their families, schools, and communities. The other half are “internal” and foster the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that healthy kids and teens develop from within.
How You Can Get Involved in West Lane
- Donate to the Welcome Baby Bundle
- Volunteer as a Roots of Empathy Instructor or Family
- Join the Regional Leadership Team
- Join a workgroup for a program like Welcome Baby or an event like Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Commit to be a member of 5,000 Strong
Thank You to Our West Lane Supporters
Mapleton Community Foundation
