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Known as 'The Jewel of the Upper Rogue', Shady Cove was the first stop on our Southern Oregon Two-Way Street Tour. The population of the town is posted as 1,115 but the Upper Rogue Community Center where we held our meeting serves several communities in this region.
The Upper Rogue Region is in the Northern part of Jackson County, Oregon where the Rogue River begins its journey from Crater Lake through the valley on its way to the Pacific Ocean. The Upper Rogue communities of Eagle Point, Lake Creek, Butte Falls, Shady Cove, Trail, Prospect and Historic Union Creek are clustered within a 100-mile radius.
This area has long been known for its salmon and steelhead fishing, river rafting, hiking and biking trails and even an eighteen-hole golf course. But the people who live here see small close-knit communities who have existed for generations or have formed by travelers who journeyed from elsewhere and made the Upper Rogue their home. People told us they loved the beauty of the landscape with its waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife. They like the friendly people, the diversity of the people, and the quietness that comes with rural living.
This is also a region with its challenges. The poverty rate is high with the median income for families at $37,800. Limited financial resources complicated access to quality healthcare professionals and services. There is a great need for English language literacy among immigrant residents to increase employment opportunities. The lack of jobs and job training coupled with cuts in federal and state funding has increased the numbers of youth who are identified as at risk, not to mention the number of families who are going hungry.
But, like the communities we talked with on our Eastern Oregon TWST stops, nonprofit groups work together to finds ways to better serve the folks who live here. Many of the representatives of the organizations, we met with, have partnered together to create a holistic approach to serving the area residents. An informal partnership between the Hispanic Learning Resource Center and the Literacy Center of Jackson County has enabled residents to work on developing their reading skills in conjunction with computer training, and in one instance preparation for GED testing. The organizations are so passionate about meeting the area needs, they are challenged by programming gaps, that they all work together to mend.
Seven of the nine people who joined us represented 14 nonprofit groups, including:
See you at the next stop!
- Sally Yee & Kimberlee Sheng
I would be happy to help coordinate a similar tour of Klamath and Lake Counties if there is interest by Meyer Memorial Trust. My phone # is 541-884-8428.
Trish Seiler
Klamath Falls City Council
I grew up in Southern Oregon and am pleased to see how much the communities are developing and banding together for the good of all. It truly is magnificent country.
Very cool! I don't think I have ever seen an example of such a variety of different types of organizations working together for common goal. I wish there was a green group in the mix, sigh... Clearly these folks share a passion for the neighbors and their community. Reading the list makes me want to go there and see these place, meet these people. Nice work!