Promoting Healthy Relationships Across UpValley Campuses
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), an opportunity to help young people explore and understand the foundations of healthy relationships. Our CLAR@ youth mentoring groups partnered with NEWS, Napa’s domestic violence and sexual abuse services organization, to bring their Orange4Love campaign to campuses across the UpValley. Students explored this year’s theme, “I’d Peel an Orange for You,” which emphasizes small, thoughtful acts of care.
At Calistoga Junior Senior High School’s Kindness Fair, approximately 150 students connected with community partners and participated in interactive activities. CLAR@ mentors and student leaders facilitated a reflection activity asking, “How does love, care, and respect show up for you?” Students’ responses were displayed as a collective art piece in the cafeteria, reinforcing positive relationship norms across campus.
A collaborative after-school art workshop, hosted in partnership with NEWS, the CHS Wellness Specialist, and Nimbus Arts, engaged 27 students in hands-on, orange-themed art activities guided by Nimbus instructors, exploring care, respect, and self-expression.
At St. Helena High School and RLS Middle School, CLAR@ mentors continued Orange4Love outreach through one-on-one meetings, lunch groups, and tabling activities at the SHHS Wellness Center, including interactive discussions and resource sharing led by our on-site Wellness Specialist.
Through strong partnerships with NEWS and collaboration across school sites, these efforts engaged more than 175 UpValley students, fostering a visible culture of kindness, awareness, and healthy relationships throughout our community.
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Smart Start Driver Education for Teens and Parents We are excited to offer Smart Start Driver Education in St. Helena and Calistoga through our UpValley Partnership for Youth coalition. In an effort to prepare young drivers to drive responsibly, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering driver education classes for new drivers ages 15 to 19 and their parents. Start Smart addresses safe driving practices, the rules of the road, and new driver's license requirements. Thank you to our partners at SHUSD, CJUSD, the St. Helena Police Department, the Calistoga Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol for making this class possible. For questions about the class, please contact: Napa CHP at (707) 699-6300. St. Helena Class: Wednesday, March 18, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the SHHS Cafeteria (465 Main Street). Register here: https://forms.gle/fS3YSDivgpjDaNfe8 Calistoga Class: Tuesday, March 24, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the CJSHS Multipurpose Room (1608 Lake St). Register here: https://forms.gle/z4QDi6dV5GH1AmgF7 You can also register by contacting Mariana Frayre, UpValley Family Centers Youth Diversion Coordinator, at [email protected] or (707) 513-7523 (call or text). |
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Our VITA program is made possible by the following generous funders: United Way Bay Area, Redwood Credit Union, First Citizens Bank (formerly Silicon Valley Bank), the Fight Poverty Fund of the Napa Valley Community Foundation, the Thacher Family Fund of the Napa Valley Community Foundation, and individual donors. |
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Households earning less than $100,000 per year can get free tax filing assistance through April 15th! Calistoga VITA Schedule (913 Washington St) Tuesdays / Wednesdays 5:00-9:00 PM Saturdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM St. Helena VITA Schedule (1440 Spring St) Thursdays / Fridays 5:00-9:00 PM Saturdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Limited daytime appointments are also available on Thursdays in St. Helena from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM through March 12th. |
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Please call (707) 965-5010 to schedule an appointment. |
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Napa Valley Pickleball Classic Registration is OPEN for the Third Annual Napa Valley Pickleball Classic, benefiting UpValley Family Centers, happening May 16-17 at Crane Park in St. Helena! Register to play at: cityofsthelena.gov/938/Napa-Valley-Pickleball-Classic
Want to make an even bigger impact? Support local families by donating, sponsoring, or starting a Game Changer fundraising page at: nvpc.givesmart.com Whether you’re playing, cheering, or supporting from afar, this event is a meaningful way to stand with UpValley families. Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Please email Cambria Kirby at [email protected] for more information. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Amici Cellars, Blackbird Vineyards, Boeschen Vineyards, Buty & Curliano LLP, GALLICA, HUNNICUTT, Jumping Goat Vineyard, Salvestrin Winery, St. Helena Odd Fellows, and W Commercial Real Estate Together, we're ensuring that families across northern Napa Valley have access to the resources, stability, and care they need to thrive. |
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Save the Date for VIVA! 2026 Viva! Napa Valley, UpValley Family Centers’ signature fundraising auction is returning April 10-13, 2026! After a successful ten-year run, we took a year to pause and thoughtfully reimagine the event, and we are excited to bring it back this year in an intentionally small, highly curated, and elevated format - featuring a limited collection of standout Napa experiences and premium offerings you won’t want to miss. Visit VivaNapaValley.givesmart.com and click the yellow “Register Here” button to register to bid and receive updates. An exclusive preview will be available April 6-9, and bidding begins Friday, April 10! |
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Join Our Team! We are excited to share that UpValley Family Centers is hiring for two key positions:
- Family & Senior Services Case Manager – Supporting older adults and families in navigating resources and services.
- Communications & Engagement Coordinator – Leading fundraising communications, digital content, and engagement efforts to strengthen community connections.
Please review the positions and share with anyone who may be a strong fit: upvalleyfamilycenters.org/career-opportunities |
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