| | School is Back in Session! Over the last couple of weeks, our teams have been busy welcoming students and families to the start of the school year! From Kindergarten and 7th-grade orientations in Calistoga to CLAR@ outreach at RLS in St. Helena — and much more — our school-based programs are in full swing. Volunteer tutors are returning to classrooms, youth mentoring groups are meeting weekly, and our wellness centers at Calistoga Elementary School and St. Helena High School are open. Wraparound support for students and families is available through our Student Assistance Program Case Managers, and parents are invited to participate in our Triple P – Positive Parenting Program to help ease the transition from summer to school routines. We are grateful for our partnerships with St. Helena Unified School District and Calistoga Joint Unified School District to offer a number of services and programs for students of all ages upvalley. To learn more about our programs that support children and youth, or families, please visit our website. A note about our Back to School Community Celebration in Calistoga: We were heartbroken to cancel our Back to School Community Celebration last week due to hazardous smoke conditions from the Pickett Fire. The event planned in partnership with Calistoga Joint Unified School District will not be rescheduled. We want to extend our gratitude to the firefighters, first responders, and community partners who worked tirelessly during the Pickett Fire to keep our community safe. We are also incredibly grateful to the generous sponsors who made the event possible through their support. Their contributions helped us cover non-refundable vendor costs, ensuring that our programs remain strong and sustainable for the families we serve. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors: The Doctors Company, Jones Family Vineyards, MCE Clean Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Damian Maldonado Memorial Foundation, Westamerica Bank, Abreu Vineyard, and Napa County Resource Conservation District. We are so thankful for these partnerships and look forward to celebrating together at our upcoming Día de los Muertos Community Celebration in St. Helena on November 2 - stay tuned for more information! |
| | Welcome, New Staff and Board Members! |
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|  | Michael Bozman Volunteer and Donor Engagement Coordinator Michael manages the recruitment, engagement, and recognition of volunteers for our programs. As a member of the Development Team, he also supports fundraising activities and donor stewardship. |
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 | Alejandra Olvera Youth Program Coordinator Wellness Coach, CLARA Alejandra leads mentoring groups for middle and high school girls at St. Helena High School and RLS Middle School, where she creates a supportive space for youth to explore their identities, build confidence, and grow together. |
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 | Lusy Rosas Human Resources and Operations Manager Lusy fosters a positive, people-centered workplace, ensures compliance with HR best practices, and develops and maintains operational systems that keep the organization running smoothly. |
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 | Jim Jespersen-Wheat Board Member Jim brings decades of experience in film production and nonprofit fundraising, finds joy in connecting generosity to meaningful causes, and is dedicated to strengthening community through service and collaboration. |
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| | Volunteers needed! We are recruiting volunteer tutors to help in classrooms at schools in St. Helena and Calistoga. Tutoring will take place on campus during school hours at participating schools. Volunteers may work one-on-one with students, in a group setting, or a classroom for general assistance based on student and teacher needs. Subject matter will vary, including but not limited to reading, writing, math, and social skills. There is also a need in Calistoga for volunteers willing to lead sports and arts activities during recess and lunch time. Volunteers are asked to commit at least one hour a week throughout the school year. In addition we are seeking volunteers who would be interested in helping with the following things: craft closet organization, event invite and reminder phone calls, or yard maintenence. If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities, please fill out the volunteer interest form on our website: https://upvalleyfamilycenters.org/volunteer/. If you have any questions, please reach out to Michael Bozman at mbozman@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
| | | | | | Immigration Support Citizenship Application Assistance Workshop - Thursday, September 25 in St. Helena, multiple appointments available at 10 AM and 12 PM. Open to community members who are Lawful Permanent Residents and would like to apply for U.S. citizenship. We can help with free legal representation and application assistance. Applicants may also be eligible for a fee waiver for the naturalization fee ($760). Registration is required; please call Eva Tamayo, Immigration Program Community Educator at UpValley Family Centers, at (707) 965-5010. |
| Emergency Preparedness Emergency preparedness and finances workshop - Tuesday, September 23, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the St. Helena Public Library (1492 Library Lane). Learn from tips from LISTOS California and Redwood Credit Union on how to prepare your family to be ready for disasters. Participants will receive 1 emergency kit per family. Workshop is in Spanish only, translation is available upon advanced request. Registration is required to attend this event. For more information or to sign up, contact: Omaira Baptista (707) 965-5010 ext. 404 or obaptista@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
| Older Adults Brain Fitness - If you are a resident at Rancho de Calistoga, Calistoga Senior Apartments, or Chateau Calistoga, you are invited to a Brain Health Workshop with our partners from Senior Helpers. This program is designed for those who are concerned about memory changes or just want to be proactive in maintaining their brain health. Learn about your brain as it ages, tips for memory enhancement, and have fun playing brain games. Workshop is in English only, translation is available upon advanced request. For more information, contact: Emma Diamond, Senior Services Case Manager at (707) 965-5010 ext. 307 or ediamond@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
| | Are you prepared? An alarming new study has shown that 58% of Californians lack a disaster kit, and 69% do not have any disaster plans. California continues to be at risk from unpredictable wildfires. When a wildfire or other disaster strikes, be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Having a 5-minute plan with an escape route can get you and your family out and safe. If you need additional time to evacuate or have livestock, you should pack up and leave when the warning is issued and not wait for an evacuation order. - Have an established meeting place
- Pack an emergency kit with essentials like medicine, important documents, clothes, food, and water.
- Watch for weather reports and Red Flag Warnings.
- If you need to go, get your emergency bags packed and gather your family and pets.
- Most important, don’t wait or hesitate – know when to go.
To download a printable disaster preparedness checklist, click here! |
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