| The Pathway to Citizenship At UpValley Family Centers, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our community members on their journey to U.S. citizenship. The pathway to citizenship is no easy feat. The process can take years to accomplish, and there are many steps to navigate. In honor of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, celebrated annually on September 17, we thought we'd share a glimpse into the steps required to become a U.S. citizen. Step 1 - Residency: Before you can even apply to become a citizen, you need to be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). We provide free immigration consultations to help people determine what their options are, no matter where they are in their journey. Step 2 - Paperwork: Once eligible, you can start the paperwork, which includes completing a detailed application that tells the government everything about your life - including biographic information, residency, travel outside the United States, and more. We provide free application assistance. Step 3 - Fee Payment: The general filing fee is $760*; however, if your household income is between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), you qualify for a reduced fee of $360. *The majority of our clients fall under the 150% FPG and qualify for a full fee waiver. Step 4 - Background check: USCIS will request fingerprints, and you must pass the biometrics/background check. Step 5 - Interview and Test: If your application is approved, you will be scheduled for an interview and civics test. At your interview, you will demonstrate that you can read, write, and speak basic English (unless you qualify for an exemption). The civics test is an oral test that covers topics of American government and history. You will have to answer up to 20 of the 128 test questions with at least 12 correct answers to pass. Curious if you could pass? You can preview all the test questions and answers here. We provide free citizenship test preparation classes, one-on-one tutoring, and study groups for anyone wanting extra support. Step 6 - Oath of Allegiance: If you pass everything, you proceed to the oath ceremony where you pledge your allegiance to the United States of America. After you pledge your oath, you're officially a U.S. citizen! Our dedicated Immigration Program team and volunteers provide guidance and support throughout the entire process. |
| | Student Wellness in Full Bloom Dario and his younger sister Marbella (pictured) recently created a “wellness corner” in their home, modeled after our Calistoga Elementary School Wellness Center. When their mother asked them to clean up for guests, Dario insisted the toys stay, explaining they were part of a relaxing space for Marbella during emotional moments. Their mother was touched to see her children bringing home the self-regulation tools and emotional safety they’ve learned at school. The Wellness Center is not only helping students thrive at school but also inspiring a culture of care and mental wellness at home. When asked what her favorite part of the wellness center is, Marbella shared, “having a safe and quiet place to go to during the school day.” |
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| | St. Helena High School Wellness Center Open House UpValley Family Centers and St. Helena High School are excited to celebrate the opening of the Student Wellness Center on campus. Please join us for a tour of the student wellness center at St. Helena High School on Wednesday, October 8th, from 3-5pm on the First Floor of Vintage Hall. Learn about the resources and activities available to students and see the new space. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP is not required to attend, but it is helpful for us to know how many people to expect. Please RSVP here. |
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| | Empowering UpValley: Free laptops for students and families In collaboration with AT&T, Human-I-T is providing150 free laptops to upvalley students and families working with UpValley Family Centers and ParentsCAN. To see if you qualify and to pre-register, please call UpValley Family Centers at (707) 965-5010. Approved households must be available to pick up the laptops on Thursday, October 16th from 3-5 pm in St. Helena. The event will feature food trucks, music, resources including information on low-cost internet, and digital literacy educational opportunities. Funding courtesy of AT&T. |
| | Save the Date - November 2 | UpValley Family Centers and Nimbus Arts will host the 17th Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Upper Valley Campus of Napa Valley College, at 1088 College Avenue in St. Helena. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a pre-Columbian Mexican holiday that honors life, death, and the memories of those no longer with us. We hope you'll join us in this time-honored tradition, taking this holiday as an opportunity to bring neighbors together and celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches our local community. The festival will include children’s arts and craft activities, live music and dance performances, and beautifully decorated altars. Food trucks featuring Latin American cuisine will be on hand as well. | | | | | This event is made possible thanks to our staff, volunteers, and generous sponsors: The City of Saint Helena, Damian Maldonado Memorial Foundation, The Doctors Company, Former Mayor Alan and Dr. Catherine Galbraith, Jones Family Vineyards, MCE Clean Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Abreu Vineyards, Westamerica Bank, Napa County Resource Conservation District. | | | | |
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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 for volunteers interested in supporting recess activities. Volunteers are asked to commit at least one hour a week throughout the school year. We are seeking volunteers to help with our Holiday Assistance Program and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities, please fill out the volunteer interest form on our website: upvalleyfamilycenters.org/volunteer. If you have any questions, please reach out to Michael Bozman at mbozman@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. |
| | How to Check for Red Flag Warnings Red Flag Warnings signal heightened fire risk and the potential for dangerous wildfire conditions. Understanding these warnings is important for everyone, regardless of whether you live in a fire-prone area. You can track active Red Flag Warnings by visiting CAL FIRE’s website and checking the “red flag warnings” box on the statewide map. How to check if your area has a red flag warning: 1. Visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/ 2. Zoom in on your region to find if it is marked with red indicating a red flag warning. If areas near you are experiencing a red flag warning, consider preparing to evacuate early as a percaution. |
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