Conversations on a Bench 2026
Real talk for 24 hours straight
October 8–9. No scripts, no filters, just honest conversations live-streamed from the Eugene Mission.
A bench where stories find their voice
Conversations on a Bench is a storytelling initiative that’s shining a new and hopeful light on the challenge of homelessness. We’re inviting people from every walk of life to sit down and share their story with Executive Director Sheryl Balthrop.
In sharing our stories, we share Hope.
How to Watch?
On October 8th to 9th, from noon to noon, join us for stories of hope, inspiration and community.
Our Facebook live broadcast will begin at NOON Thursday, October 8.
YouTube
Our YouTube live broadcast will begin at NOON, Thursday, October 8.
Why Partner With the Eugene Mission?
Three numbers tell the story. A foundation built over decades. A program that changed everything. A new chapter still being written.
70+ years
Offering life-changing support and recovery services
6 years
13 years
Four Things People Get Wrong About the Eugene Mission
Twenty-four hours of honest conversation clears up more than you'd expect. Here's what the livestream sets straight.
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It's not. The Eugene Mission runs entirely on private donations and community support. Your gift keeps the doors open!
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It was never just that, and it's grown far beyond it. The Eugene Mission is a residential recovery campus with structured programs, case management, and a long-term path out of crisis, not just a meal for the night.
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Watch the Bench and decide for yourself. Guests (and graduates) from both the Life Change and R3 programs will be sitting down during the livestream and telling their own story, in their own words, no script required.
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While the Eugene Mission is a faith-centered organization, guests never have to participate in any faith-related services or classes in order to receive services.
Your gift, doubled on the spot
Donors have built a $150,000 match pool. Every community gift is matched dollar for dollar up to another $150,000.
The match is LIVE and runs through December 31
Every dollar you give is matched, up to the full $150,000 community pool
The livestream costs almost nothing to produce, so nearly every dollar goes straight to recovery programs
Here's Where Your Gift Goes
Fletcher came into the men's Life Change program lost and with no hope of restoring his relationship with his daughter. Your gift gave him a stable home alongside other men doing the same work he was.
It gave him people in his corner, staff and counselors who showed up for the hard parts, not just the easy ones. It gave him a program that actually works, structured enough to teach him how to face his addiction and rebuild on solid ground. And it gave him a life rebuilt: a job, full custody of his daughter, and a home the two of them share now.
Fletcher's story isn't rare. Right now, the Eugene Mission is serving more than 250 guests through the R3 and Life Change programs, and each one has a story like his in progress.
Invest in this conversation
Interested in partnering on this event? Email our philanthropy team to start a conversation.