Unite! Washougal Newsletter

For full details of this event, click the picture above or click here

Looking for a fun, meaningful event to help contribute to the community? Come join us on Saturday for the Drug Take Back spring event! To sign up, contact the Unite!Washougal Coalition at 360-954-3203 or washougalunite@gmail.com. We hope you can join us!

At the February Unite!Washougal Coalition meeting, Refuel Washougal joined to talk about the program and how it helps the community. This program began in 2015 after several community organizations and members gathered to discuss how to feed people in the community as well as provide a space for community members socialize. What started as a 3 month trial has evolved into a weekly meal every Friday from 4pm to 6pm with various community organizations taking the lead each week. These organizations plan, shop, prepare, serve, and clean-up the meal. This program is partially funded by the City of Washougal and partners with the food bank for the least cost possible. The program has been a huge success, serving 5900 meals annually on average and often includes drives for clothing, sleeping bags, coats and more. The Council for the Homeless often joins the event with an information table and representative to help anyone living on the streets find resources.

To find out how you can volunteer for this amazing and worthwhile program, contact Fran Whitmeyer at refuelfran@mail.com.

We thank Refuel and the team of volunteers for their tireless efforts to feed the community. We feel honored and proud to be part of such a compassionate and positive community that truly cares for it's people. Thank you, Refuel Washougal!

The Unite!Washougal Coalition was also visited in February by Tia Billing, Washougal's leader for the Washougal Severe Weather Shelter. Tia shared her personal story with the Coalition, expressing her reason for why she leads this shelter with understanding, compassion, and acceptance toward everyone who walks through the shelter's doors. Not only does she warm the hearts of the people who use the shelter, she warmed the hearts of the Coalition with her tenacity and unconditional compassion for those living on the streets. Thank you, Tia, for your service and love for this community!

The Severe Weather Shelter opened in December 2022 and has seen great success keeping people safe from severe weather events in the area. This shelter is largely operated by community volunteers and partners, and local citizens help fund hotel rooms when the shelter is closed. The shelter is open in the evenings through mornings during severe weather. During the winter storms, the Salvation Army also stayed open during the daytime hours and provided bus passes. The shelter currently has 27 beds, donated by Thrive to Survive and also the Camas Washougal Community Chest.

Volunteers are needed at the shelter. Volunteer staffing preference is for 3 hour shifts. If you'd like to volunteer for this amazing cause, contact Tia at swswashougal@gmail.com. We hope you are able to help Tia and the community as a whole by taking care of one of our most vulnerable populations.

Wendy Butler, Washougal Middle School's Prevention and Intervention Specialist, reviewed the prevention activities happening at the school with our amazing youth. Wendy leads a prevention education group where students sit as a group and share stories about how they are making safe, positive choices. They discuss what it's like to be a team, their family, coping skills, and substance use risks. In addition, Wendy is leading the Connection Club where students connect with other students during lunchtime. The club is all about fun activities and getting to know each other in positive ways. The Coalition was excited to hear about these positive activities and clubs happening at the middle school. We thank Wendy for her continued dedication to the community's youth!

It's never too late to volunteer with the Unite!Washougal Prevention Coalition! We hope you can join us on Thursday, March 28, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm @ Children's Home Society.

Unite! Full Coalition Meeting

Thursday, March 28 @ 3:00 pm

Children's Home Society

1702 C Street

Washougal, WA 98671

Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and walk down the hall to see us!

Email us at washougalunite@gmail.com for more information.

Let’s have some fun while we work together for a healthy community!

https://www.brickzonekids.com/friends-lego-camp

https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/event/board-listening-tour-5/

Email: washougalunite@gmail.com
Website: http://unitewashougal.org/
Location: Washougal, WA, USA
Phone: 360-954-3203
Facebook: facebook.com/UniteWashougalCommunityCoalition/
Twitter: @UWashougal