A more appealing downtown. New opportunities. A vibrant Eugene.
Project Common Ground is creating a cleaner, more welcoming downtown by hiring people who have experienced homelessness as ambassadors.
AN INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE AND PLACE
SINCE JULY 1
16,652 lbs
of trash collected
1,901
positive interactions
160
business visits
Competing truths. Common ground.
People experiencing homelessness deserve compassion, meaningful work and a chance to contribute.
Supporting people who have experienced homelessness and strengthening downtown businesses are often treated as competing priorities. Common Ground brings them together. Ambassadors aren’t just receiving help. They’re doing paid work that benefits the community they belong to.
Since July 1, 2026, people recruited through local shelter programs have been working as Common Ground ambassadors. They’re helping care for downtown and connecting with the people who live and work there. Privately funded by Darren Sparks' Tipping Point Foundation, the program builds on existing downtown services. The result is a positive cycle: investing in people strengthens our public spaces, and stronger public spaces benefit everyone.
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and
Downtown businesses need clean, inviting spaces for their customers, employees and neighbors.
Common Ground ambassadors downtown
Eugene is my home and everybody else's, so let's take care of it.
Robert, ambassador · Watch Robert and the ambassadors (1:58)
GET IN TOUCH
Let’s find common ground
Want to learn more, request a presentation or talk about supporting Common Ground? Send us a note. We’d love to hear from you.
More stories and updates from Common Ground are coming soon.