Unite!Washougal Prevention Coalition Meeting Minutes, October 26, 2023
I. Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) overview: Washougal has ample public art exhibits around town for the community to enjoy. Many of those art projects were spearheaded by WACA. Their goal is to beautify the City by painting murals on walls and landscapes, and their goals have been accomplished. WACA also provides community activities, such as the Art Fair in August, the Youth Artists month in March, the Sunday Salon where local musicians can share their talent, and Parkersville Day where WACA partners with local schools for youth art contests. The group hopes in the future to provide guided art walks to the downtown Washougal area.
II. Unite! Washougal Prevention Coalition overview: The Coalition focuses on sharing ideas and problem solving around prevention and healthy alternative activities. The attendees were asked for ideas on what kind of guest speakers could be asked to the monthly meetings that would help enhance their focus. Ideas included inviting principals and school representatives, trainings on prevention, local organizations and non-profits focused on youth activities, and faith-based organizations that involve youth programs.
III. Community Coalition Survey Update: The Coalition is close to reaching their 180 community survey but still need 32+ more. The committee discussed ways to find more community members to participate, including incentives, attending events where parents are present, and email/newsletter outreach.
IV. Drug Take Back Day, Oct. 28: The coalition still needs more volunteers for this event from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Volunteers can work the whole day or just part of the day. Snacks are provided by SWACH. Banners and yard signs have been printed, and an ad has been placed in the local newspaper.
V. Coalition Direct Services
a. Guiding Good Choices: This class will begin Jan. 8. It is for parents with children ages 9-14 years old and includes dinner and child care. The class is 6 weeks long for 1-2 hours one evening a week. There is space for 4-6 families. More to come on this.
VI. Prevention Summit, Oct 24-26: This event was a huge success and great experience for everyone attending. Locally, 7 youth attended along with several coalition members. The Summit including empowering sessions on resilience skill building, the dangers of hidden messages, social media literacy, leadership conversations, and more. Fun activities included arts/crafts, find what moves you, and creating a healthy environment. All in all, everyone who attended felt it was well worth their time, travel and expense.
VII. Beautification Project Update: The current beautification project is taking place at Washougal middle school and is focusing on positive messages regarding mental health awareness.
VIII. Youth Engagement and Youth Voice Update
a. Red Ribbon week continues with a focus on “Be kind to your mind” and “live drug free” messages.
b. Sources of strength, Ambassadors, Interact, Para Advancar Mi Vida, and other youth engagement programs were not discussed due to leaders in these programs unable to attend the meeting.
IX. Positive Community Norms
a. This campaign will focus on the Washougal middle school, helping students understand the positive attitudes among their peers regarding substance use, i.e. 9 out of 10 students do not use tobacco.
b. The goal is raise awareness about what is really happening with substance use among middle school-aged youth as well as praising the youth for positive behaviors.
c. The key messages will be displayed on shopping carts at the local grocery stores for 6 months.
X. Communications Team Update: The Communications Team has been working hard to increase the coalition’s social media engagement and successfully released the Coalition newsletter in October. Committee members were encouraged to give a “love” emoji to, comment on and share the posts as much as they feel comfortable doing so.
XI. Connection to the Community:
a. The Coalition will have a table at the Multicultural Family Night on Oct. 6. It will be a great opportunity to connect with the community.
b. The Washougal library is offering story-time gatherings.
c. Spanish-speaking classes are available on Mondays.
XII. Trainings – Free:
a. Prevention Technology Transfer Center: https://pttcnetwork.org/
b. Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: https://mhttcnetwork.org/
c. The Athena Forum: https://theathenaforum.org/training-calendar/month
