La Center United Coalition News

Guiding Good Choices - Parent Program

The Loft Teen Paint and Pizza Night

Our Days

Girls Night Out Paint Night - Free

Screenagers Viewing

Community Data Walk

Listen Line Fundraiser

La Center Music Association

Love Street Playhouse

Kiwanis

La Center Library - FVRL

La Center Art Council

La Center Bands - Big Band Dance

Upcoming Events / Save the Dates

Drug Take Back

Locks Save Lives

Simply submit your event details or announcements through one of our new emails:

lacenterunitednewsletter@gmail.com - just send an email with a flyer or simply type what you would like us to add to the newsletter. This email will be checked as we work on our monthly newsletter.

lacenterunitedcalendar@gmail.com - just send an email with all the specific information you would like listed. We plan to update the calendar a few times a month.

To view the live calendar visit La Center United webpage (www.lacenterunited.org) and click on Get Involved. To view the calendar directly click here.

La Center United has been asked for a while to help provide programs for parents in La Center. We have secured a grant to make this happen. We are looking at bringing Guiding Good Choices (a program for parents of youth ages 9-14, offered in five 2-hour workshops offered over five consecutive weeks). If you would be interested in attending this free facilitated workshop please contact La Center United's coordinator, Melissa Flatt-Girard, for more information.

lacenterunited@gmail.com or 360-213-8385

La Center United, in partnership with the La Center Arts Council, hosted a lively and inspiring Teen Paint and Pizza Night, bringing local youth together for an evening of creativity, connection, and community. The event was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic participation from teens across the area.

Held in a welcoming, art-filled space, the event gave teens the opportunity to unleash their artistic talents as they each created their own unique masterpieces. Guided by local artist Krissy Dubois and volunteers, participants explored painting techniques in a relaxed, judgment-free atmosphere. From bold colors to thoughtful designs, the creativity on display was as diverse as the young artists themselves.

As brushes moved and canvases came to life, teens also enjoyed plenty of pizza, snacks, and refreshments, turning the evening into not just an art session but a vibrant social experience.

Conversations flowed as new friendships formed and existing ones deepened—highlighting the power of creative events to bring young people together in meaningful ways.

The collaboration between La Center United and the La Center Arts Council reflects a shared commitment to providing positive, enriching opportunities for local youth. Events like Teen Paint and Pizza Night promote emotional wellness, encourage self-expression, and create a safe space for teens to have fun and feel connected.

The event is part of La Center United’s ongoing mission to provide positive, substance-free opportunities for youth, while the La Center Arts Council continues to champion creativity and the arts within the community. Their partnership made the evening both meaningful and memorable.

Organizers say they’re already looking forward to planning future teen-centered events and thank all, especially the LCHS EAT Club who helped make the night a colorful and memorable success.

Our Days planning is underway. The committee is seeking volunteers (planning now) as well as sponsorship donations. Anyone who would like to help plan activities for the KidZone area or to find out about the next meeting should contact Sam Glackler @ 503.333.5546. Those interested in monetarily sponsoring the event can contact Wendy Chord or visit lacenterourdays.com

Light refreshments will be served

La Center United will be partnering with La Center Schools to host viewings of four Screenagers movies. These viewings are open to all members of the community. If you are concerned with how technology affects youth/students, communities, families, etc., be sure to join us. To learn more please visit https://www.screenagersmovie.com/ . If you have questions about the event please email lacenterunited@gmail.com .

This is the final viewing of the series. This next documentary has

not been brought to our community in the past. You do not need to have

viewed the previous two documentaries to join us for the next two.

May 12, 2025 - LCMS Commons - 6-7:30 PM

Screenagers Under The Influence: Vaping drugs & Alcohol in the digital age - Join Screenagers’ filmmaker, Delaney Ruston, as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.

Synopsis

‍Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age, the third feature documentary in the Screenagers trilogy, delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people are using their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use.

While most documentaries about substance use focus on severe addiction, Screenagers Under The Influence fills a pressing need for a film that explores more common scenarios. The film is grounded in teens’ current reality of being flooded by images on social media, movies, and TV shows about vaping, drugs, and alcohol.

Like the first two Screenagers films, Screenagers Under The Influence interweaves cutting-edge science with personal stories to create an informative and entertaining film experience for young people and adults alike. Screenagers Under The Influence focuses on practical solutions for keeping our teens safe in a changing world.

To learn more click here.

To learn more about Listen Line click here.

The Ridgefield La Center Kiwanis meets the first Tuesday of the month 11:30-1pm at the La Center Church. These are luncheon meetings open to all and they are looking for new members.

Volunteer Appreciation (for volunteers of all organizations) - June 9th

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, La Center United sponsored the local National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide effort led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. The local event, held in partnership with the Clark County Sheriff's Office, their dedicated auxiliary volunteers, and the La Center High School (LCHS) EAT Club, was a resounding success.

Together, the community collected more than 91 pounds of unused and unwanted medications, helping to prevent potential misuse and environmental harm. This effort reflects a strong commitment by La Center residents to promote public safety and health.

The event provided a secure and anonymous way for individuals to dispose of medications, ensuring they don't end up in the wrong hands or pollute our waterways. The Clark County Sheriff's Office played a critical role in managing the collection and ensuring proper procedures were followed, while their auxiliary volunteers and the LCHS EAT Club offered invaluable support throughout the day.

Drug Take Back Day is a DEA-sponsored national initiative that occurs twice a year, providing communities with a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. Events like this help reduce the risk of drug abuse and accidental poisoning while raising awareness about the dangers of keeping unused medications at home.

Thanks to the collaborative spirit of law enforcement, youth leaders, and local residents, La Center continues to be a model of community-driven public health and safety.

For more information about future Drug Take Back Days or how to safely dispose of medications year-round, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

*Storing medicine in a locked location is the single most effective deterrent to accidental poisonings, overdose, medicine theft, and misuse that can lead to prescription drug addiction. Stay informed and talk with loved ones about the risks for ingesting or taking medicine not prescribed for them and benefits of safeguarding your medications. Learn more at www.LocksSaveLives.org.

If you are in need of a locking storage box please contact La Center United at lacenterunited@gmail.com

• Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient
• Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies
• Supporting those in need, sharing ideas, and offering help

A healthy and resilient community for youth and families

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: http://lacenterunited.org/
Phone: 3602138385
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacenterunited