| | Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Student Wellness Centers We're excited to share the opening of the St. Helena High School Wellness Center (pictured above)! Created in partnership with the St. Helena Unified School District and staffed by Yessi Martinez, UpValley Family Centers’ Student Wellness Specialist, this new center is a safe, welcoming space on campus where students can take a wellness break, access mental health resources, and participate in mindfulness activities. Since opening last week, the center has already had 120 visits from SHHS Saints! In partnership with the Calistoga Joint Unified School District, we also launched a Wellness Center at Calistoga Elementary School in Fall 2024. Staffed by Juana Navarro, UpValley Family Centers’ Student Wellness Coordinator, and Kendall Loggins, Calistoga Elementary School Counselor, the center saw over 700 visits in its first three months — an average of 16 students per day. Students can self-refer or be referred by teachers or staff for a 5-10 minute reset that includes calming activities and tools for emotional regulation. We’re grateful to our partners and funders who made these centers possible: Calistoga Joint Unified School District, Calistoga Elementary School, S.H. Cowell Foundation, St. Helena Unified School District, St. Helena High School, Napa County Office of Education, Napa Valley Vintners, and SHINE Napa Valley. In addition to the Wellness Centers, UpValley Family Centers offers several Youth Wellness Programs: CLARO/CLARA youth mentoring groups, Friday Night Live, and the Student Assistance Program. These programs are supported in part by the Napa Valley Vintners Collective Napa Valley and are aligned with Napa County’s SHINE initiative, aimed at ensuring all youth have access to the mental health services they need to lead happy, healthy, and self-sufficient lives. |
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| | | Breaking the Stigma Green is the color of new beginnings and growth, and in May, it also symbolizes mental health awareness. Last week, UpValley Family Centers staff (pictured above) wore green to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Our dedicated team offers a range of services and programs that support mental health and wellness at the prevention and early intervention level. We also connect individuals and families with partner agencies for additional support, such as therapy. From our Fear-Less Triple P Practitioners, who provide parents with positive strategies to help children manage anxiety, to our Family & Senior Wellness Case Managers who offer wraparound services and guided referrals, we are here to support the well-being of our community. If you or someone you know needs support, we’re here to help. Please call us at (707) 965-5010. |
| | | Community Rallies for Second Annual Napa Valley Pickleball Classic Despite gusty spring winds throughout the weekend, players powered through with determination and spirited competition at the Second Annual Napa Valley Pickleball Classic, helping raise $22,810 to ensure families in our community have the support and resources they need to thrive! The Napa Valley Pickleball Classic is a shining example of the power of collaborative action (one of the family centers guiding principles): a collaborative effort between UpValley Family Centers and St. Helena Parks & Recreation that brings people together in the spirit of connection, recreation, and giving back to the community. We are grateful to the incredible committee, whose vision and hard work made the tournament such a joyful and impactful event: Julie Jenanyan, Doug Boeschen, Susan M. Duryea, Caitlin Stuart, Dave Jahns, Kevin MacLeod, and Cambria Kirby. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, players, spectators, vendors, donors, and sponsors who made the event possible including: Boeschen Vineyards, Caitlin Stuart Communications, GALLICA Wine, Hunnicutt Wines, Jumping Goat Vineyard, MCE, Sam’s General Store, Spottswoode Winery, Tom & KC Garrett, Veronica Beard, and W Commercial Real Estate. Special thanks to caiteeanderson Creative Agency for amplifying the event’s visibility with engaging social media content and Debi Lorenc Photography for snapping action shots of the players and spectators. |
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| | You're Invited! We’re excited to share a milestone for UpValley Family Centers — the opening of our new offices at the historic Vermeil House in Calistoga! This expansion allows us to better serve local families, youth, and older adults with increased access, partnerships, connection, and care. Please join us for our Grand Opening Celebration at 913 Washington Street on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 for an Open House from 3:30 to 5:30 PM with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 4:00 PM. Enjoy light refreshments, a tour of the new space, and learn more about our programs and services. Free and open to all community members — bring a friend! RSVP is not required to attend, but it is helpful for us to know how many people to expect. Please RSVP here. Thank you for being part of our UpValley community — and for helping us grow. We hope to see you there! -------------------- Reminder: Our offices previously located at 1705 Washington Street are now located in the Vermeil House at 913 Washington Street. This location is now open to the public for walk-ins seeking assistance and access to our programs and services. Our office at 1500 Cedar Street remains open to community members as well. Office hours at both Calistoga locations (and our St. Helena office) are Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. |
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| | Volunteer Opportunities Help Support Our Immigration Program: Are you interested in helping others with the naturalization process? We’re currently seeking volunteers to assist community members with citizenship applications during our upcoming Citizenship Workshop on July 17th in Calistoga. An online training and orientation will be provided. Volunteers will have the opportunity to support future workshops occurring every other month in St. Helena and Calistoga. Monthly Food Distribution in Calistoga: We are seeking a volunteer to help support our Older Adult Wellness services in Calistoga, by assisting with a monthly food distribution at Calistoga Senior Apartments. The food distribution takes place on the second Saturday of each month, from 2-3pm. The next distribution is scheduled for June 14th. This opportunity is suitable for more than one volunteer – bring a friend or a loved one! If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please complete the Volunteer Interest form on our website or email Ruzanna Gasparyan, Volunteer Coordinator, at rgasparyan@upvalleyfamilycenters.org with any questions. |
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