Student and Community Reflections: A Conversation with Jackie Joyner-Kersee
On March 1, 2022, United Way of Lane County hosted a virtual conversation with Olympic medalist and philanthropist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie shared about many impactful experiences in her life, including growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois; learning of her asthma diagnosis; losing her mother at a young age; and competing in the Olympics at a time when Black women were rarely featured on television or in the media. Students and community members were then given an opportunity to ask Jackie questions about to her life, and ask advice on how to navigate difficult circumstances.
“You have to keep that hunger, you have to keep that drive, that determination and grit – it’s always got to be a part of what you’re trying to do.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersee during United Way of Lane County’s March 1 conversation
After the event, students, educators, and community members were invited to share their takeaways and feedback. One Eugene community member shared that Jackie inspired them, “at age 68, to set new goals and look within myself to strengthen my resolve to meet them.” This community member went on to share how hearing from the students impacted them: “Thank you for this rare opportunity to sit in on a conversation with youth, especially youth of color. It is a great reminder of our power to support and encourage our youth.”
“I was touched by Jackie's commitment and her resilience,” shared another community member. “Her message to students to keep trying and to build relationships to address difficulties was wonderful.”
Educators shared their takeaways from the event as well. A Springfield teacher shared that “the message to persevere was one my students need to hear. I appreciated the life lessons that were worked in to each answer. [It was] very inspiring, even for the teachers.”
“I thought she had so many amazing, relatable, and relevant answers,” shared a teacher from Eugene. “Jackie is a positive woman who understands how to create community and love people,” said another Eugene educator. “Based on her comments, it seems she avoids judging others on differences and looks at people's hearts instead. She is a good example for all of us to follow.”
“If something’s not going right for any of you, don’t quit. Go through the struggle, have an appreciation for the struggle. Because it will teach you a lot about yourself.”
Over 300 students shared feedback from the event. Comments from students included the importance of positivity, and several students mentioned being inspired to keep a positive outlook, despite their circumstances. “What I took away from this event is you should always believe in yourself even if things are hard,” said one Bethel student. “Try to be as positive as you can through whatever is happening in your life,” said one Eugene student. “Being surrounded by positive people can help you succeed,” noted another Eugene student.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee and members of the United Way of Lane County team at an event hosted by the University of Oregon on March 2, 2022.
“It’s very important to really be aware of the company that you keep and the conversations that you take in, because they will help form and shape the life you will live. So know the life you want to live, and bring in those conversations and surround yourself with those individuals that can help you to become a better you.”
Another recurring takeaway for many students was Jackie’s perseverance and drive. “I thought it was inspiring how Jackie Joyner- Kersee kept working hard even when she dealt with struggles like asthma,” said one Eugene student. “She worked through those difficult times in her life and now inspires and helps other kids.” One student mentioned that hearing from Jackie “helped me believe that I could do anything I put my mind to if I believe in myself.” Another Eugene student said that “hearing about how a successful person like Jackie went through hard times and struggles despite all of her success” was the most impactful takeaway from the event.
Moving Forward: Supporting Youth Success
Students and educators were also given the opportunity to share how the community could better support youth at this time. Many mentioned increased counselor support and for adults in their lives to be patient with them. “The pandemic has caused a lot of stress in my life and that of my students,” said one educator. “We need more counselor support in our schools. We are overwhelmed.” One Eugene student implored adults to “encourage the kids and try to understand them more. Don’t yell or get upset - just let them explain or say what they are thinking.” A Bethel student urged adults to “just take it slow if we seem to need time. This has been really hard on us for 2 years. Don't assume that we are okay with any of this. We are trying to go forward.”
It’s clear that students need our support and attention, maybe now more than ever. Many of the students mentioned how impacted they were that Jackie took time to speak with them and addressed them with kindness. “The most impactful thing is that Jackie wants to help everyone no matter what. She values our mental mindset,” said one Eugene student. Another Eugene student mentioned that the most impactful takeaway was that “Jackie Joyner-Kersee wants to be remembered as a good person, not just an Olympian.”
We at United Way of Lane County plan to do what one Eugene student suggested: “invite more people like that.”
Thank you to our Sponsors for making this event possible!
Community Resources
*15th Night - preventing youth homelessness around Lane County
Bethel Health Center - individual, family, and group counseling within Bethel SD
Boris L. Henson Foundation - national organization that offers free therapy for Black/African American individuals and families
Center for Family Development - counseling for youth, families, and adults
*^Centro Latino Americano - mental health services
The Child Center - offers mental health assessments; family-oriented
^Direction Service - counseling services for children, teens, young adults, and adults
^Lane County Behavioral Health - treatments for children, families, and adults
Lane County’s Community Resilience Toolkit for Children, Youth, and Families
*Looking Glass - youth- and family-focused counseling services. Locations in Eugene, Cottage Grove, Junction City, Veneta, and Oakridge
NAMI Lane County - support, education, and advocacy for all individuals
^Odyssey Community Counseling - counseling services and addiction recovery
Orchid Health, Oakridge Clinic - medical, behavioral, and dental health in Oakridge
^Options Counseling - counseling locations in Eugene, Springfield, Florence, and outside Lane County
*Oregon Community Programs - counseling, training, resources, and outreach to families with children ages 4-17
Peacehealth Counseling Services - counseling for people of all ages, with clinics in Eugene and Florence
*South Lane Mental Health - counseling and services for children and adults in South Lane County
Steve Fund - national organization that offers crisis support for young people of color
Willamette Family, Inc - mental health treatment for adults and children
*Whitebird Clinic HOOTS - counseling services for youth
*organizations with an asterisk are United Way donor-funded partners.
^organizations with a caret offer Spanish-speaking services.