Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84275058943

Join La Center United for our October Coalition Meeting. At this meeting, we will have a guest speaker Kelly Groen-Sickman a prevention Specialist with ESD 112 coming to share about the upcoming drug take-back event and to share updates about the Locks Saves Lives campaign. Our coalition will take time to brainstorm ways to increase participation and outreach surrounding both campaigns.

Date & Time: Saturday, October 30th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: La Center Evangelical Church, 111 E 5th st. La Center, WA 98629

Cost: Free

How to Register:

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com

Subject Line: YMHFA

to receive the registration link.

*Please note in your email if you are an educator seeking clock hours for this training.*

*Educators can Earn Clock hours for this training. *

Training Description:

La Center United is hosting trainer Curtis Miller to provide youth mental health and suicide prevention training. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

Lunch: Lunch will be provided please contact lacenterunited@gmail.com with any allergies or dietary concerns

La Center United and Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety are hosting a drive-thru drug take-back event site, in honor of National Drug Take-Back Day. There will be 5 other sites throughout Southwest Washington on Saturday, October 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members are invited to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for safe, free disposal to any of the 5 event sites in Clark County. Prescription and over-the-counter medications including pills, liquids, and inhalers will be accepted. Medications may remain in original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted.

For everyone’s safety, participants will remain in their vehicles and use a drive-thru process to dispose of unwanted and expired medications. All event sites will follow appropriate COVID-19 safety guidelines for social distancing, face coverings, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

For more information email Kelley Groen-Sieckmann at kelley.groen@esd112.org.

Other Drug Take-Back Event locations:

Clark County

· PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, 33rd & Main (South Back Lot), Vancouver

· Kaiser Permanente – Orchards, 7101 NE 137th Ave., Vancouver

· Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground

· Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue, 1220 A St., Washougal

Other Drug Take-Back Sites:

Skamania County

· Skamania County Sheriff, 200 Vancouver Ave, Stevenson

Klickitat County

· Goldendale United Methodist Church, 109 E. Broadway (church parking lot), Goldendale

Prescription and over-the-counter medication

Unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications including pills, liquids, and inhalers will be accepted for safe, free disposal at all seven event locations in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties. Medications may remain in original containers and labels do not need to be removed.

Medications not in original containers will also be accepted.

Sharps and syringes

Noncommercial Sharps and syringes will only be accepted at the PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care

event site in Clark County. Use an approved Sharps container when transporting; if one is not available, use a rigid plastic container. WARNING-SHARPS DO NOT RECYCLE.

Vape pens and e-cigarettes

All event sites except Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department will be collecting vape pens and e-cigarettes without batteries for safe free disposal. If batteries aren’t removable, ask electronic chain stores or local Hazardous Material Transfer Stations if they accept these devices for disposal and for extra guidance on proper disposal.

Medicine take-back events in Southwest Washington are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority.

Year-Round Med Disposal

Unable to drop- off your medicine for proper disposal at one of the six-event sites on October 23rd? No problem! There are a variety of community-based medicine disposal kiosks open all

year-round. To find a kiosk in your area, visit the Convenient Locations section of Med-Project.org. Mail-back medicine disposal services are also available in Washington state. To order a free mail-back package, visit the Mail-Back section of Med-Project.org. Do not place medicines in the trash or recycling, and never flush them down the toilet. Medication not disposed of properly ends up in the

Click on links to download Event Flyers

Clark County Events – English

Clark County Events – Spanish

Clark County Events - Russian

Skamania County Event – English

Klickitat County Event – English

*If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to opioids, now is the time to get help. Opioids are now one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths in Washington State and more people die from overdose than from car crashes. The Starts with One campaign is designed to inform and educate young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, use, and disposal. To learn more about what you can do or to find help for you or someone you know suffering from addiction to opioids go to www.GetTheFactsRX.com.

Please help La Center United continue to collect community data by taking our community survey. This survey will help La Center United understand current community conditions and how to best serve the community.

Date: Saturday, October 16th, 2021; 10:00 a.m -2:00 p.m.

What is Red Ribbon Week?

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign. Today, millions of people celebrate.

History of Red Ribbon Week?

Red Ribbon Week started in 1985 to honor Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was killed in the field while investigating drug traffickers in Mexico. After his death, people wanted to honor his sacrifice, Celebrations began in California – where Camarena grew up – in 1985, and in 1988 the National Family Partnership started the first National Red Ribbon Week.

Why the red ribbons?

As a tribute to wearing of a red, and red ribbons represents an opposition to drugs.

Join The Celebration

Ways to support The Red Ribbon week campaign:

· Wear Red on Wednesday October 27th to honor Red Ribbon week.

· Parents can use Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to continue talking to your kids about the dangers of using drugs and underage tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use.

· Secure and take inventory of your medicine cabinet to prevent prescription drug abuse.

· Sign the Red Ribbon Pledge.

La Center United has partnered with community organizations and local businesses to compile baskets with local information and swag items to welcome new neighbors to the community.

Each basket consists of: a La Center United welcome letter, brochures, and/or business cards from local businesses, churches, and volunteer groups, a treat from Sadie & Josie's bakery, a face mask, a La Center United: bandana, pop-socket, pen, and lanyard, a small notebook, to-go “youth first” bag, key chain, La Center Museum Centennial newspaper, and calendar with historical pictures of La Center.

If you are a new community member or know a new member of the community who may be interested in a community welcome basket please contact lacenterunited@gmail.com.

The Loft Brochure

What is The Loft

The Loft is a Teen center open to Middle & Highschool teens.

What are the hours?

The Loft is open Wednesday afternoon's 3:30-5:30 when school is in session

Where Is The Loft Located?

The Loft is located in La Center Evangelical Free Church 111 E 5th St, La Center, WA 98629

What is there to do at The Loft?

Activities at The Loft include:

· Board games

· Foosball

· Basketball

· Pool

· Ping pong

· Art Activities

· Baking

· Drawing

· Dodgeball

· Video games

· Table Hockey

· A community library

· Homework help

· And more!

The Loft is located in a church, does the Loft have a religious affiliation?

The Loft has no religious affiliation. The La Center Evangelical Free Church has generously donated space to help provide a safe space in the community for teens.

History of the Loft

La Center United is a community coalition focused on building a safe community where youth and families can learn, grown, connect and build resilience. During a community townhall forum the coalition was made aware of the lack of safe spaces for youth to hangout in the community. The coalition jumped into action and in 2017 The Loft Opened its doors deeming itself a safe place for teens to connect.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are an adult interested in volunteering, or bringing in a new skill please contact La Center United at lacenterunited@gmail.com to learn more.

Registration:

All participants must be registered to attend. Parents can register thier youth from the link below.

• AmazonSmile: next time you make a purchase from Amazon, consider purchasing through smile.amazon.com or Amazon Smile through the amazon shipping app; and choose La Center United. A portion of the proceeds goes directly towards La Center United at no additional cost to you.
• Fred Meyers Rewards: Supporting La center United when you shop is as simple as updating the Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

1. Sign in to your digital account

2. Go here to search for your organization

3. Enter the name or NPO number of the organization that you wish to support.

4. Select La Center United from the organization list and click “Save.”

Our Mission:

Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient

Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies

Supporting those in need, sharing ideas, and offering help

Our Vision:

A healthy and resilient community for youth and families

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: http://lacenterunited.org/
Phone: 3609523488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacenterunited