The southern Oregon secret

Most locals would say that we are especially lucky to call southern Oregon home. The reasons behind that luck are numerous: spectacular natural beauty, abundant flora and fauna, a lively historic district, delicious restaurants, a close-knit population adjacent to the amenities of a larger city, a flourishing culture of music and arts, and wineries to rival the best in the world.

All that being true, the hidden secret of our uniqueness is our people and their willingness to recognize goodwill in one another. That openness to seeing each other as equals in community has led to some amazing results. A couple of key examples come to mind.

A Greater Applegate—what an amazing team of people working together across differing viewpoints to sustain key community-building priorities for the Applegate Valley. They focus on engaging ideas, from all perspectives, on land stewardship, economic vitality, environmental health, wildfire preparedness, safety, equity, and healthy social connections. They believe in and support, through action and hard work, “enhancing the Applegate Valley’s economic outlook, social capacity, and ecological balance for the community at large” now and for upcoming generations.

Sanctuary One—which, since 2008, has united folks across “divides” to successfully protect and maintain a place of refuge for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals of all sorts. Through their community engagement, the Sanctuary “helps people of all ages experience nature’s power to heal,” ensuring that volunteers, visitors, and staff personally experience the mission of the organization. What a lovely vision!

Though there are more Applegate-specific examples, I want to share some thoughts about a place many Applegaters visit regularly—the Jacksonville Community Center (JCC). The brainchild of a small group of committed seniors and others who worked together over 20 years, this beautiful, flourishing center for civic life is a local gem. From the myriad differing perspectives of our founders and those who currently support JCC, one vision is being realized every day: to sustain a center of community life where people of all ages can learn, create, share, engage in dialogue, remember, and celebrate together. Over 10,000 people enjoyed the resources and programs of JCC last year alone.

This summer, in addition to the ongoing wellness, arts, history, music, and youth programs, JCC will be offering four special summer camps for youth, including the opportunity to hike local trails. What a great way to get kids connected to this same sense of learning together to treasure our beautiful region! Please visit jacksonvillecommunitycenter.org for more details.

In this time of polarization and the tendency to define ourselves in opposition to others, isn’t it wonderful to know that so many people in our region choose instead to define themselves by how they can be united? We need only stop to reflect on these three short examples to see how powerful and positive this little “secret” can be. Psst…pass it on!

Julie Raefield

JCC Executive Director

jraefield@jacksonvillecommunitycenter.org

Photo 1: Summer camps for kids at Jacksonville Community Center offer a chance to build community and treasure our natural environment. Photo: JCC Staff.