| | A Word of Thanks to Our Amazing Volunteers April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we can't let it go by without giving a huge "THANK YOU" to all of our amazing volunteers. We deeply value the partnership between employees and volunteers to provide guidance, support, and resources, so that we may increase resiliency within our community. Our volunteers contribute their invaluable time, interests, and skills, to advance our work in the community. They exemplify one of our guiding principles: collaborative action. Thank you to our Board Members, VITA Volunteers, Promotoras, Citizenship Tutors, Community Event Volunteers, Holiday Assistance Program Volunteers, School Tutors, Ninos Activos Volunteers, and Senior Wellness Volunteers for all that you do! |
| | Our Community Voices: Doug’s story Seven years ago, Doug was looking for ways to be more involved with his community and learned that the family center was looking for tutors to work in the classroom with elementary school students. Doug has found that being a presence in the children’s lives is so beneficial. “With the students,” Doug explains, “you can see it in the short term, the impact you make. Older students will remember me from previous years and give me a fist bump in the hall.” After several years in the schools, Doug put his bilingual skills to use and began getting involved in the family center’s immigration program by becoming a citizenship tutor. “For me, it’s a really valuable experience because my relationship to the Latino community has been very valuable over the years.” As a citizenship tutor, Doug works with students to help prepare them to take their citizenship exam. Many of the people he works with do not qualify to take the exam in Spanish but still have minimal English skills. Doug feels the impact and importance of his work with citizenship students, “It’s obviously profound for the individuals. In some cases, it is literally life changing. You never have any doubt that your work is worthwhile” Most recently, Doug has joined the UpValley Family Centers Board of Directors. As a board member, he has gained a new perspective on the full scope of the work of the family center. “One of the amazing things about the family center is the breadth of capability and the scope of the impact they have on a wide range of individuals.” As a member of the board, Doug is excited about the prospects and potential to help increase awareness about the family center and move its work forward. “I’ve met a lot of people in the organization and you can tell that they’re doing this work not just because it’s a way to make a living, but they have a strong commitment to the work and the community.” The way Doug sees it, the family center provides urgent needs like disaster relief, short-term income or housing needs, mental health services, and parenting support. At the same time, it offers services that build an inclusive community: Ninos Activos, youth mentoring, and social and educational workshops. “Our community doesn’t even know how much we depend on the success of this organization,” says Doug, “I’m very grateful this organization exists and I’m grateful I’m able to be involved.” |
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| | Volunteer Line Dancing Instructor Needed in Calistoga! We are looking for a Volunteer Line Dancing Instructor to lead our Older Adult Line Dancing Classes at Rancho De Calistoga in Calistoga. No expertise in line dancing is required! We will provide guidance and a curriculum. These monthly classes provide physical activity, nutrition education, and socialization opportunities to older adults. We are seeking someone who has the ability to move around, project with a high voice, and lead a movement class. The time commitment is 1 hour a month (plus prep time). The class is on the third Thursday of the month from 2:30-3:30 PM. We are looking for someone interested in filling in for the next two months' class dates (May 16, & June 20), with the opportunity to continue from July 2024 through June 2025. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please fill out the Volunteer Interest form on our website here or email Ruzanna, UpValley Family Centers Volunteer Coordinator, at rgasparyan@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
| | |  | Join UpValley Family Centers at the St. Helena Farmers Market for an interactive story and songs in English and Spanish on the first Friday of the month (May-October) at 9:30 AM at Crane Park. |
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 | May 4, 2024 8 am - 5 pm If you are not participating in the tournament or the clinic, we hope you will come out to enjoy a beautiful day at the park, grab some lunch from Mi Cocina Taco Truck or a cold treat from Kona Ice, take a pickle juice shot and a picture at the photo booth, learn more about UpValley Family Centers, and watch the tournaments! It will be a fun day filled with friendly competition, camaraderie, and family-friendly entertainment. More info & full schedule of events at: nvpc2024.givesmart.com |
| Older Adult Wellness Fair UpValley Adults 55+, join us for a free Health Fair on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, from 10 am - 12 pm at Pioneer Park in Calistoga. Mark your calendar and join us for a day dedicated to supportive resources, health, and happiness.Discover health and wellness providers offering invaluable resources to support your well-being. |
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| | | | Share your story In 2024, UpValley Family Centers is celebrating 25 years of creating a future of opportunity for those who live and work upvalley. Throughout this year we will be sharing stories from past and current clients, volunteers, partners, staff members. donors, and community members in a series titled "Our Community Voices." If you would like to share your story with us, please contact Michaela Murray at mmurray@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
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| UpValley Family Centers
1440 Spring Street | Saint Helena, California 94574
707-965-5010 | info@upvalleyfamilycenters.org |
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