Eugene Mission plans 24-hour livestream on homelessness

Eugene Mission will host a 24-hour live-streamed storytelling event Oct. 8-9 at its Eugene campus ahead of World Homelessness Day. The conversation aims to challenge myths about homelessness and bring together community members, leaders and people affected by the issue.

Why it matters: - The Eugene Mission event puts local homelessness, recovery and housing concerns in front of a public audience for 24 straight hours. - The livestream is designed to connect community members with people directly affected by homelessness and the systems around it. - The event is part of a broader North American effort through Citygate Network, with more than 100 ministry CEOs expected to take part in similar events.

What happened: - Eugene Mission will host “Conversations on a Bench,” a 24-hour storytelling initiative, from noon Oct. 8 through noon Oct. 9. - Executive Director Sheryl Balthrop will sit on a bench on the Eugene Mission campus and livestream one-on-one conversations with community members. - The event will stream on Facebook and the Eugene Mission YouTube channel. - The public can watch online, attend in person or submit questions and comments in real time. - The event will take place at Eugene Mission, 1542 W. 1st Ave. in Eugene, Oregon.

The details: - Eugene Mission says conversations will include local leaders, pastors, families of people affected by homelessness and guests staying at the mission. - Topics will include addiction, recovery, policy and housing. - The mission described the effort as a live storytelling initiative in the lead-up to World Homelessness Day. - Eugene Mission says the media asset kit includes an informational interview with Balthrop and B-roll from last year’s event. - The mission is a privately funded, relationship-centered, sober recovery campus that works with people rebuilding their lives after homelessness.

Between the lines: - The event frames homelessness as a public conversation, not just a service issue. - Balthrop’s remarks suggest the mission wants to counter stereotypes and focus attention on recovery as well as need. - The Citygate Network tie-in signals that local messaging around homelessness is being coordinated across a wider faith-based network.

What's next: - The livestream begins at noon Oct. 8 and ends at noon Oct. 9. - Eugene Mission is directing the public to its website for more information. - Similar Citygate Network events will run across North America on Oct. 8-9, 2026.

The bottom line: - Eugene Mission is using a 24-hour livestream to turn homelessness into a public, real-time conversation ahead of World Homelessness Day.