Unite! March Newsletter

Thank you for checking in! In this newsletter you will receive information about different opportunities to enrich our community. You will discover different places to volunteer, find ways to engage our youth, and help make Washougal a more positive place!

What do you want to learn?

I am looking forward to learning how a coalition functions. I did not realize how much work is put in, and I am looking forward to learning more about Washougal.

What is your end goal?

I would like to figure out what I am doing career-wise. I want to know what I am interested and in what ways I can build my future. I greatly enjoy community outreach, human services, and social work.

Are you excited to be involved?

For sure! As soon as I started, it has been a challenge, but I stepped out of my comfort zone, made connections with new people, and had fun working with such positive and energetic people. They are super passionate about what they do, and it is incredibly contagious!

Over 400 Employers and employees attended the February 27th partnership Event at Washougal High School. Many students, family members, and community partners got to explore great job opportunities in our local community!

Do you have skills and enjoy working in communications and marketing? Are you creative and detail oriented? Do you like to have fun while helping your community?

We are looking for individuals interested in being part of a collaborative team process. Join Ann Stevens, Margaret McCarthy and Washougal youth in improving our communications process!

Please let us know by emailing us at washougalunite@gmail.com or call 360-954-3203.

Fun guaranteed!

Three Unite! Coalition Members attended a training in Olympia to learn more. Our new workgroup is discussing data and are using strategies to promote positive change in our community! If you want to learn more about the science of the positive and promote healthy norms in our community, contact Betty Gabel at betty.gabel@washougalsd.org. The next meeting is on March 20, at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the WSD Office boardroom.

This fun event is happening on the seventeenth, promoting healthy ways to live a positive life!

March 24, 6:30 p.m. at Excelsior High School

ESD 112 Prevention Expert Matt Cox and Student Support Specialists Wendy Butler and Tamara Crites will discuss substance abuse trends and vaping. You will have an opportunity to walk through a set up teen bedroom to to learn about the various ways that emerging drugs are a threat to our youth's healthy choices. Our panelists will discuss the hope of building relationships and effective communication strategies for parents and teens.

About the event:

Community prevention coalitions, law enforcement, and several partnering organizations are holding a Drug Take Back event at six sites in Clark County on Saturday, April 25th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for safe and free disposal to any one of the six event sites below. Prescription and over-the-counter medications including pills, liquids and inhalers will be accepted. Medications may remain in original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted.

Drug Take Back Event locations:

Clark County

• Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue, 1220 A St., Washougal

• PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, 33rd & Main (South Back Lot), Vancouver

• Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park, 12607 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver

• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground

• Cowlitz Public Safety Department, 31501 NW 31st Ave., Ridgefield (La Center Exit I-5, south of ilani Casino)

Vape pens and e-cigarettes:

All event sites will be collecting vape pens & e-cigarettes without batteries for safe free disposal. If batteries aren’t removable, check with large electronic chain stores to ask if they accept vape pens and e-cigarettes for proper disposal or contact your local Hazardous Material Transfer Stations for additional guidance on proper disposal.

Medicine take back events in Southwest WA are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority.

For more information, visit bit.ly/April25DTBE or email Kelley Groen-Sieckmann at kelley.groen@esd112.org.

If you are interested, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b45a5af28a2fc1-drug

Come to the next meeting and discuss the Drug Take Back and help plan future events! It is held at the East County Family Resource Center.

Calling all youth! Come learn about how to educate yourself with leadership qualities to better the lives of people around you, your school, and your community. Seek support and learn how to support others, by recognizing signs of depression, and how to involve an adult. On April 28, the Gorge Youth Prevention Summit will provide you with fun and education opportunities that you do not want to miss out on!

Unite! Mission:

To prevent youth substance use by building an engaged community empowered by healthy choices and strong families.

Email: washougalunite@gmail.com
Website: unitewashougal.org
Phone: (360) 954-3203
Facebook: facebook.com/unitewashougalcommunitycoalition