Class Projects

Class projects became a feature of the Leadership Medford/Jackson County program beginning with the graduating class of 1991/1992. 

2007/2008
Thirty-three class members raised $20,000 to make essential changes to the exterior & interior building of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a non-profit organization that serves abused and neglected children in child welfare and court systems resulting in a more functional and efficient work environment that allows CASA to serve more children in our community. Wit the completion of the project, the class enables two additional CASA volunteers to work out of the Jackson County office, helping them serve an additional 200 children per year.   

2006/2007
Class participants far exceeded their project goal and procured over $34,000 to complete an outdoor motor sensory activity center for the Kid's Imagination Discovery Space in Medford. The activity centers relate to the three primary sensory systems that are suggested to promote the enhancement of sensory integration: sense of touch, sense of gravity, and the sense provided from muscles and joints.

2005/2006
CrossRoads Alternative High School in Medford received a brand new library space furnished with a culmination of 2,000 new books, magazines, and brand new furniture to create  a harmonious and safe environment for the students to enjoy and relax in. The class  procured $18,000 from various local companies to bring this project to fruition.

2004/2005
Fichtner-Mainwaring Park in Medford has a wheelchair accessible sand play area located in the front entrance of the park, thanks to the efforts of the 2004-05 Leadership Medford/Jackson County class.  With 20 yards of sand providing 320 square feet of sand play area, it accommodates eight to 12 children of all abilities.  All funds raised for the class project were raised through cash donations and in-kind donations from class participants and businesses and individuals throughout the community.

2003/2004
This year’s class chose to help migrant farm workers by fundraising to purchase and  assemble playground equipment for the Lilac Meadow housing project.  Businesses and individuals throughout the community funded the project.

2002/2003
The play area at the OnTrack Mom's Program facility was expanded from 1,040 square feet to approximately 4,560 square feet.  New concrete walkways, flowers, lawn and playground equipment were put in to accommodate the moms and children who would be staying at the facility.  The project was funded by businesses and individuals throughout the community.

2001/2002
Eight life-size silhouettes of women killed in Jackson County as a result of domestic violence were created for the Dunn House as part of the national Silent Witness Initiative.  The project was funded by individuals and businesses and was supported by Community Works, the Medford Police Department and Asante Health System.  The goal of the project was to raise awareness of domestic violence in our community.

2000/2001
The class chose to renovate Union Park in west Medford, a park that had become unsafe for kids to play in.  They collaborated with the City of Medford, the West Medford Coalition, private business and youth to assist in the revitalization of the park.  In addition to re-landscaping, they added a new walkway and several hundred shrubs.

1999/2000
"Get SMART for Kids" is a large-scale book drive designed to enhance the SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) program in seven elementary schools (five in Medford, one in Ashland, one in Talent).  In addition to the books acquired, the class secured cash donations in excess of $1,000 and also designed and constructed special carts, specifically for use in SMART classrooms around the community.

1998/1999
The class built a garden at one of Community Works' residential treatment centers for adolescents.  Items acquired by class participants included:  more than 50 yards of soil amendments and bark; lumber for the raised beds; and fruits and vegetables. The garden featured three 8x10 raised beds, several rows of vegetables, an herb garden, and an apple tree with memorial plaque for a Leadership participant who passed away during the year.  As well as a food supply for the shelter, the garden is an important therapy measure for residents. 

1997/1998
The class and ACCESS, Inc. put on “Excess for ACCESS,” a medical equipment drive.  Via press releases, television, radio, and direct mail the community was asked to drop off donations of clean, good-quality reusable medical equipment to help people in need through the ACCESS Medical Equipment Loaner Program.  The project more than doubled the items available through the ACCESS program.

1996/1997
The class contributed time and money to uplift the Community Health Center with several new coats of paint.  The class partnered with the Medford Fire Department.

1995/1996
The class built 24+ storage lockers for the Gospel Mission’s Women’s & Children’s Center.  The lockers were complete with locks so shelter residents could protect their belongings.

1994/1995
The class helped move furniture and equipment to the new Children’s Advocacy Center.  They also assisted with some interior refurbishing of the facility, including painting and wallpapering.

1993/1994
The class made a generous donation to the refurbishment of the memorial at the Veteran’s Park on S. Hwy 99 and Stewart Ave.

1992/1993
The class built a decorative rock sidewalk connecting two of Ontrack, Inc.’s addictions recovery facilities off Delta Waters Ave. in east Medford.

1991/1992
The class raised funds to purchase tress to shade the new Bear Creek Park Amphitheater.  A check was presented to Medford Mayor Jerry Lausmann at a tree planting ceremony.