- Class is available for free, but limited space is available

- Five Thursdays, from 6:30pm - 8:00pm (Starting January 13th - February 10th)

- Live, interactive, virtual classes

- Certificate of Completion upon completion of workshops

- Workshop kit will include Guiding Good Choices workbook, handouts, family activities and restaurant vouchers to local restaurants

To register, click here

Unite! would like to say a deep felt thanks as Annette Garner has stepped down from her service on the Unite! 501c3 Board of Directors. Annette served in many ways with Unite! over her 5 years of service including helping with survey outreach, community engagement, serving alongside Unite! At Refuel, serving for 4 years on the Unite! Leadership team and for a year on the newly formed 501c3.

Annette has a heart for youth and families and has always championed early childhood education, trauma informed practice and increasing resiliency among youth. Annette also served on our Beautification Team that was led by youth to replace a 10 foot liquor sign with messages of hope. Annette’s extensive leadership, health professions and service experience helped Unite! grow. “Annette has always been ready to encourage us in professional non-profit management and helped our team reach for our vision of a healthy community!” said Margaret McCarthy. “We are better because of her wisdom, enthusiasm and guidance.”

Thank you Annette and best wishes on your new endeavors!

WASHOUGAL — Unite! Washougal Community Coalition named Lisa Bennett as its 2021 recipient of the “Heart of a Volunteer” Excellence Award.

Each Year, Unite! Washougal selects a recipient for the award in memory of Gina L. Farah. Farah was an integral member of the Unite! Coalition, and was known for her compassion and willingness to help others. Her passion and commitment focused on the mental health and wellness of youth and families in the Washougal community.

“Gina was a wonderful mentor, and I am truly humbled to receive this award created in her memory,” Bennett said. “As I serve with Unite! Washougal, I strive to encourage students and families to live their best life. Washougal is a wonderful community, and Unite! Washougal helps our youth to see we are truly better when we work together, play together and serve together. I am thankful to be a small part of the great work being supported by this coalition.”

A project that Bennett has spearheaded is the semi-annual Drug Take Back for unused prescription drugs and opioids. This collaborative effort has properly disposed of over 1,000 pounds of expired or unused medications from the Washougal area. Also, as a part of Unite!, Bennett serves as a mentor on the Sources of Strength Resilience Promotion Team.

“Lisa has many areas of involvement in our community,” said Margaret McCarthy, Unite! executive director. “Her willingness to help support the vision and mission of Unite! Washougal has positively impacted our youth and families for healthier empowered lives.”

Bennett also serves Washougal schools and her community as the district COVID-19 compliance officer, National Honor Society adviser, volunteer at her church and as an athletic trainer at Washougal High School.

Article courtesy of The Columbian Newspaper

Link to Columbian article: https://www.columbian.com/news/2021/dec/25/washougal-woman-is-heart-of-volunteer-award-recipient/

This opportunity to celebrate winter, creativity and community was a great way to increase family connection and also learn new skills. We will have more opportunities for family and community art nights this spring.

Thank you Ms. Allen!

NOT for Me is a self-guided, mobile-friendly online program that leverages the American Lung Association’s Not On Tobacco (N-O-T)® program to help teens break nicotine dependency, whether they vape, smoke or use other tobacco products.

Washougal students show shoes they created for the "Roots and Wings" art project, which asked students to depict where they came from and where they hope to be, in December 2021. (Contriuted photo courtesy of the Washougal School District).

Read the article in the Camas Washougal Post Record:

https://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2021/dec/30/finding-their-roots-and-wings/

SAMHSA’s new podcast, “What Parents Are Saying — Prevention Wisdom, Authenticity, and Empowerment,” provides a platform for parents and caregivers to get informed, be prepared, and take action by having open and honest conversations with their kids about substance use and mental health. Hosted by Debbie Berndt, Director of Parent Movement 2.0, the podcast will feature discussions with parents, caregivers, and nationally recognized experts lending their unique perspectives and experiences on how to navigate conversations around these important topics.

Learn more about and listen to the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign’s new podcast: “What Parents Are Saying — Prevention Wisdom, Authenticity, and Empowerment.”

According to Business Insider, by the six-week mark, 80 percent of people fail to stick to their resolutions, especially those that are related to getting healthier. But that is no reason to skip making resolutions.

So, instead of setting grand over-reaching goals, sets smaller more manageable resolutions that when accomplished, will make you feel good and give you the confidence to make real life changes. Check out this list of seven achievable New Year’s Resolutions that will inspire you to write your own.

Read more here

Check out everything from stickers to water bottles, hats to totes in our “Love your Life Washougal” gear. Unique, positive and helps out our local community.

You can purchase your swag here!

If you feel sad and lethargic during the shortest days of the year, you may have winter blues.

Typical signs of winter blues include craving carbohydrates, sleeping more than usual, and having little motivation.

You don't have to do it alone! Check out all the tips here

Saving lives starts at home. When you choose to become a Locks Save Lives Home partner you invest in saving lives and prioritize safety by making safe medication storage easy and a standard for all families. Likewise, you play a key role in preventing prescription drug misuse and accidental poisonings by making it possible for families to keep their medications safe and loved ones free from harm.

You can start by clicking here

Vaping nicotine can worsen anxiety symptoms and amplify feelings of depression. Learn the surprising way we brought this fact to light, the science behind it, and how to protect your own mental health.

How does vaping impact stress and depression?

Nearly everyone has experienced stress, anxiety, or depression at one point or another. According to Pew Research, 70% of young people said anxiety and depression were a major problem among their peers — a phenomenon made worse by the arrival of Covid-19.

With the world in flux and lives turned upside down, many began vaping as a way to cope with a new reality where isolation and uncertainty were the norm. Little did we know that the “solution” could be making the root problem worse.

Recent studies reveal a troubling link between vaping nicotine and mental health. In fact, the nicotine in vapes can worsen anxiety symptoms and amplify feelings of depression.

Scroll for more information on vaping nicotine and mental health, important resources to help you cope with stress and anxiety, and stories from real people who’ve quit.

Read more here

Free meals on Friday

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Since January 2015, ReFuel has provided meals and fellowship in a welcoming setting.

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Meals are served each Friday from 4-6 pm at the

Washougal Community Center.

Find more information by visiting here

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Thank you to the Washougal Community for your support of our survey efforts last fall.

We reached our goal and collected 219 surveys!

We will receive the results in March and will report highlights in our spring newsletter.

Email: washougalunite@gmail.com
Website: http://unitewashougal.org/
Location: Washougal, WA, USA
Phone: 360-954-3203
Facebook: facebook.com/UniteWashougalCommunityCoalition/
Twitter: @UWashougal