Emergency family services moving to St. Vinnie’s West Amazon site

First Place Family Center to close July 27 in move to one central location

by St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County

Beginning on August 1, 2022, we are excited to announce we will improve access to emergency family services by shifting these resources to one central location — the First Place Annex located at 4060 West Amazon in Eugene!

What had been a night shelter only to this point, now will absorb the day services for unhoused families—including therapeutic childcare—previously offered at First Place Family Center.

Consolidating everything into one site will make it much easier on families. Previously, enrolled families could spend the night at the Annex site, but had to leave during the day and travel to First Place Family Center (FPFC) to access the day services and childcare there.

July 27 will be the last day of services at FPFC presently located at 1995 Amazon Parkway. Please call us at 541-342-7782 if you have any questions about this transition.

Please note:

• First Place Kids — our drop-in, therapeutic childcare for families who are experiencing homelessness — will be closed July 25-29 in order to move our classrooms over to the new space.
• First Place Family Center — our low-barrier emergency access day center for families experiencing homelessness — will be closed July 27-31 in order to transition our service to the new space.

For more than 30 years, FPFC has been a refuge and place of support for children and their families who are low-income, at risk of losing their housing, or are already experiencing homelessness because of job loss, health issues, and other critical problems.

As St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County (SVdP) strives to provide trauma-informed and compassionate care for our neighbors, we are confident this consolidation of emergency family services will enable us to offer all of our guests an even better level of care.

The Annex is currently home to the Night Shelter program, a transitional 90-day congregate shelter, and will now serve as a comprehensive center for day services, night shelter, and therapeutic childcare for unhoused families. The Annex facility is just two miles down the road from the First Place Family Center location, with ample parking and more accessibility.

Day Services will remain accessible to under-housed families 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at our Annex site:

• Mail services
• Emergency clothing (socks, Underwear, Rain Jackets)
• Clothing Vouchers
• Food pantry
• Quiet room
• Laundry room access
• Diapers
• Shower and restroom access
• Hygiene supplies
• Drop-in resource information and referrals
• Front door assessments
• Access to First Place Kids

Night Shelter services will remain reserved for Night Shelter families:

• Wraparound case management services
• Breakfast & dinner
• A unit within the Night Shelter Annex
• One bin per person for storage of personal items
• One bin per family for storage of dry food goods

Thank you, Supporters!

We are incredibly grateful to our staff, volunteers, and generous donors who continue to make these life-stabilizing service available for under-housed families and youth in Lane County. Though we receive some limited government funding, our emergency family services are primarily funded by the community! YOUR support is what has enabled us to shelter 119 families, offer more than 700 families access to essentials through our day center, help 10 unaccompanied minors into stable housing, and provide therapeutic daycare to 150 children whose families were experiencing homelessness last year alone. We are grateful for your patience and support as we rise to meet the growing need for these supportive and emergency services for families.

Read more about our emergency services for families by clicking HERE.

Support our Youth & Family Services by clicking HERE.