Community Connections

Transcription

1 Community Connections Through advocacy, awareness, and action, we will create a community culture that strengthens families, reduces substance use, and promotes physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness. CONTACT US Physical Address: 2204 Pacific Ave N Long Beach, WA V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 4 J U N E WellSpring 4th Annual Town Hall Report Mailing Address: PO Box 170 Long Beach, WA admin@wellspringpacific.com I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Oscar Night at IMHS 2 WellSpring Mini Grants 2 New Youth Coalition Coordinator Asset Builder Awards 3 2 Over 140 parents, community members, school staff and youth packed the IMHS auditorium this past May 17th for WellSpring's 4th Annual Town hall meeting. This years town hall featured renowned speaker, Nigel Wrangham who spoke about what it takes as a community to create and sustain change. Following dinner and the 45 minute keynote address, participants split into smaller breakout sessions on various topics. Topics for the evening included Youth and the Media led by Nigel, Youth Suicide Prevention led by Jennifer Barons of the Washington State Youth Suicide Prevention Program, Safe HOMES Parent Network led by Katie Lindstrom and Rosanne McPhail, Farm to School led by Tara Hano and Mary Goelz, Neighborhood Watch led by LB Police Chief Flint Attendees enjoying ham dinner at the IMHS cafeteria prior to the town hall. Wright and Pacific County Under Sherriff Todd Fosse, and Starting a MOM s club, led by Lee Knott. Local youth between the ages of 7and 12 enjoyed the breakout session Bully Buster/Stranger Danger led by owner/operator of Pacific Integrated Martial Arts, Sensei Padme Grace. Following the breakout sessions, attendees were brought together for final closing remarks by Nigel and evaluations. Everyone who attended got to bring home there very own WellSpring Mug, water bottle, mouse pad, or bleacher pad. Program evaluations gave universally positive reviews of the evening with many saying they d like to get involved in Wellspring or programs relating to the breakout session they attended. We d like to specially thank all the members of the Town Hall planning team, our presenters, Ilwaco Middle/High School for hosting the event, and of course all of the community members who came out to show their support. Farm to School 3 MOM s Club 3 YAK Promotes Safe 4 Prom SAFE Homes Parent 4 Network All Comers Meets 4 Summer Reading 5 RX Take Back Results 5 Yak Honors Grads 5 Volunteer Opportunities 6 Calendar of Events 6 New Member Orientation/WellSpring 101 Scheduled WellSpring will be holding new member orientations quarterly beginning June 14th at the South County Admin Building at 7103 Sandridge. These meetings will be held at 2:00 before the regular WellSpring meeting's during the months of June, September, December and March. The new member orientation will be a be a time for new and existing members, and the general public to learn more about WellSpring, teams, projects, and opportunities for involvement. New members will receive their WellSpring notebook and name plate at the orientation. For more information about WellSpring, or the orientation please contact Monica Younger at or, visit o u r w e b s i t e a t or like us on Facebook at wellspring.community.network New Member Orientation: June 14th September 14th December 13th March 13th Orientations will run from 2:00-2:45 immediately prior to the monthly WellSpring meeting at the South County Admin building at 7013

2 P A G E 2 IMHS Renaissance puts out the red carpet for Oscar s Night The Hilltop auditorium was decorated spectacularly with stars, lights, and Oscar statues for the packed in crowd at the second annual Oscar s Night award show hosted by the Ilwaco Middle/High School Renaissance Club on Wednesday night. One hundred and sixty award nominees dressed their best and brought their families to the event. Award nominees entered the standing-room only auditorium to cheers and flashing lights while walking down the red carpet. Renaissance students Jackie Smith, Eli Schenk, and Evan Sutherland were the MC s for the evening. Students were honored with certificates and small Oscar trophies presented to them by faculty members. The audience was entertained by History teacher Tom Trudell on piano and student Cryslin Buttars on vocals and clarinet. The evening concluded with a dance performed by student Daniel Lopez. After the awards ceremony students and family members enjoyed cake and cookies in the commons. Funding for this event was made possible through mini grant funding from Wellspring Community Network. Mini Grants benefit community, families, youth Sometimes a little extra funding can make all the difference to a fledgling organization. Sometimes a little extra funding can make all the difference to a fledgling organization, or to an organization whose budget has been cut to the bone. WellSpring Community Network has funded eight community organizations who have programs or activities that work to promote healthy kids, families, and communities through reducing substance abuse and violence. Well- Spring is able to offer these grants via funding from Washington State s Family Policy Council (FPC), which supports local efforts in 42 communities statewide to build community capacity to reduce problem behaviors including child abuse and youth s u b s t a n c e a b u s e. This year, eight different groups received funding: Friends of Ocean Park School (FOOPS) for a summer reading program. Friends of Naselle Library for a Kinect gaming system, IMHS Renaissance Club for Oscars Night Celebration, Youth Action Klub for TATU curriculum, IMHS wrestling team to support wrestling camp for elementary schools and trip, Ocean Park elementary for HeartSparkle Players personal safety performances, and Pacific Fire District 1 for Youth Leadership Program curriculum. Special thanks to WCN Funding Team members Michelle Zilli, Tara Hano, Gloria Geisendorf, and Flint Wright. To volunteer for any youth activities, please contact us at WellSpring Welcomes New Youth Coalition Coordinator Jessica Johnson WellSpring Youth Coalition Coordinator We very are excited to welcome Jessica Johnson to WellSpring as the new Youth Coalition Coordinator. Jessica grew up across the Columbia River in Seaside, and obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. She spent a few years researching and data crunching at the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative at Oregon Health and Science University before making her return to the Oregon Coast in Since then, she has worked as an AmeriCorps H.O.P.E. (Healthy Options through Prevention and Education) member serving all of Clatsop County with substance abuse prevention education and positive youth development programs. She is excited for her new position at Well- Spring and eager to launch the youth coalition this fall. To get involved in youth team or coalition activities, please contact Jessica at C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N S

3 V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 4 P A G E 3 Asset Builder of the Month Kate Bannister As a girls and boys basketball coach, Kate is a positive role model for all students and parents alike. She is supportive, yet provides clear boundaries, and put s the emphasis on being a team player versus winning the Asset game all while Builder of the month, Katie Bannister keeping her competitive spirit in tact. As a result, the kids learn to make good decisions, develop personal power, true self-esteem, and are able to resolve conflict peacefully. This is just one of many reasons Kate was selected as Wellspring's June Asset Builder of the Month. Kate is also an active volunteer taking on important roles in groups such as FOOPS where she supports teachers and helps with fundraisers and other events. Kate can always be depended upon to help out and support youth in our community. She is a true asset builder in every sense of the word. Kate works hard to help create a caring school climate, caring neighborhood, and attracts other parents to be involved as well. Next time you see Kate out in the community, please make sure to tell her THANK YOU for being a great asset builder in our community! Bank of the Pacific Business Asset Builder of the Month I just like to see kids smile as much as I can - Kate Bannister We ve all heard the ads on the radio, Bank of the Pacific supporting another great cause in our community. Most recently, Bank of the Pacific provided free advertising on local radio stations for WellSpring s RX Take Back event and the Domestic Violence Awareness (DVA)Groups Ocean of Hope fundraiser. Support of groups such as WellSpirng and DVA and other great causes/groups is among many of the reasons Bank of the Pacific was selected as the June Business Asset builder of the month. With seventeen locations in Western Washington, including ones in Naselle, Ilwaco, Long Beach, and Ocean Park, The Bank of the Pacific invests in the communities they serve, both financially as well as by supporting kids and families by helping to promote good things happening in our community. As of October 27 th, this year, the Bank of the Pacific will have been on the peninsula for forty years. We are excited about the continuing partnership with the members of our community. We believe that as a bank and as individuals it is our responsibility to give back to the community. We are grateful to the people that live here for their support. said Diane Barker of Bank on behalf of Bank of the Pacific. Thank you Bank of the Pacific for all you do in our community and congratulations on being our June 2011 Business Asset Builder of the Month! Farm to School/Healthy School Lunch Team Are you interested in supporting the Ocean Beach School District in developing healthier school lunches? If so, join our team. We are a group of citizens who are committed to providing healthier alternatives to the school meal programs by encouraging a connection between local farmers and our school cafeterias and classrooms. The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for the sharing of ideas as well as taking action steps toward our goal of healthier children and a healthier future for all. For more Information call Tara Hano at or join our group on Facabook at Peninsula Farm to School. MOM s Club Forming on the Peninsula Come be part of the very beginning! Local mom Lee Knott is leading the effort to bring a brand new MOM s Club to the Long Beach Peninsula. MOM s Club is a national organization (with local chapters) whose mission is to support mom s and kids (of all ages). The Peninsula Club will meet for the first time at Lee s home at Pacific Way Long Beach, on Saturday, June 11 from 11:00-2:00. Discussion about the formation of the new club and next steps along with lots of play time for the kids will all be part of the first meeting. Please bring a dish or snack to share and utensils for yourself and your kids. Please invite anyone you think might be interested, all are welcome (even dads!) and kids too. Please contact Lee at for more information.

4 P A G E 4 Post cards sent to all IMHS Juniors & Seniors before Prom The key reason kids give for not drinking is that they don t want to disappoint their Students Promote Safe, Alcohol Free Prom With funding from the Wellspring Community Network, YAK was able to complete their annual prom project. YAK students created small cards with a stay safe, stay sober message to students. These cards where placed in the flower boxes ordered for the dance by Artistic Bouquet. On prom night students and their dates received these messages as they exchanged flowers. Also, as part of the project post cards were sent in the mail to all juniors and seniors at Ilwaco High School. The postcard design was based on an above the influence advertisement and printed by Ilwaco Industries. A stay safe this spring message from YAK was printed on the back of the cards and they were mailed the week before prom. Safe HOMES Parent Network A Call to Action Kicking off this fall is a new program aimed at helping parents to network with other parents to keep kids safe. The Safe HOMEs Parent Network asks parents to pledge to help their kids stay drug and alcohol free by setting clear expectations and not allowing underage use on their property. Parents who sign the pledge will be added to a parent directory that will be distributed to other parents who sign the pledge. The intent is to provide an easy avenue for parents to connect with other parents who share their beliefs and work together to ensure safe, healthy, respectful, and responsible homes for their children at all times. The Safe HOMES Parent Network is open to all parents/guardians of children all ages. Over the summer months, a core committee will be formed to plan for a Fall 2011 kick off in our community. If you are interested in joining the core planning committee or being one of the first to sign the pledge, please contact Rosanne McPhail or Katie Lindstrom at parents. Athletes near the finish line at last years all comers meet All Comer Track Meets Scheduled Calling all athletes! Calling all Volunteers! This years All Comer Track meets are coming up, scheduled once a w e e k t h r o u g h o u t June. Youth and adults of all ages are invited to compete in track and field events including the 50, 100, 200 and 400 meter dash, the softball throw, the shot put, discuss, long jump and the mile run. There is a $2 suggested donation to the Ilwaco Sports Boosters Track and Field account. The meets are the Senior Project of IMHS student, Letecia Cervantes. The meets rely entirely on volunteer to make them happen. Timers, event judges, and general helpers are needed. If you would like to help out, please contact Leticia Cervantes at or Sarah Taylor at Come out and enjoy this fun family event and encourage citizens of all ages to get moving. Take a Second, Make a difference...volunteer! All Comer Meet Dates June 15th June 21st June 29th Starting at 5:30 at the IMHS Track. YAK Wins ACS Award The IMHS Youth Action Klub (YAK) has been selected as the American Cancer Society SpeakOUT Youth Project of the Year Award Winners! YAK was nominated for their YAK night project. YAK night was held in March and involved many students and adult community members in a fun, pro-social event. YAK team members each received framed award certificates and the YAK group will receive $250 from the American Cancer Society that can be used towards next year s project. YAK members receiving awards include: Emily Mac- D o n a l d, A u g u s t F r a m e, Keiana Yasunaka, Aileen M o n t e i t h, Kevin Johnson, Bailey Jensen, Sydney Taylor, Valin Latham, Victoria Thrasher, Kathryn Sinor, Matt Polverari, Carlos Pimental, and Whitney Wofford. C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N S

5 V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 4 P A G E 5 Timberland Library Kick s Off Summer Reading Program When you re looking for something fun and affordable to do with your kids this summer, turn to TRL, the Timberland Regional Library system. Children from infancy to age 18 and their parents and caregivers can pick up summer program packets including schedules of free events and activities, prize tickets, reading logs and booklists. The 2011 summer program theme, One World, Many Stories, will take children and families on an imagination vacation to other countries and continents as they explore lands and cultures around the world through story, art, music, interactive presentations, activities and humor. With this summer s new booklist, Children Read around the World, in hand, kids can travel to every continent on the globe. No passport required. Leave your money at home. Just bring your sense of adventure, said TRL s Youth Services Coordinator, Ellen Duffy. Summer Performances & Event -Games & Sports from around the World -Going Global Comedy & Stunts with Alex -Tall Tales from a Small Planet w/harmonica Pocket -Heart and Soul of Mexico, music, humor, and Spanish language with Mariachi Mexico -Asian folktales, plays enacted by the exquisite Mary Shaver Marionettes -The Tasty Tale of Brave Sir Bump, a Zambini Brothers puppet play -World Storytelling Safari with the Tales & Trails Storytellers -Magic around the World with Jeff Evans -One World, Many Stories with Buck & Elizabeth Summer at the library for teens RX Team Collects Over 60 lbs of Drugs at Take Back Event The theme for teens this year is You Are Here, so teen events and activities will focus on where that might be! Here may be India and Pakistan with Bollywood Backstage Pass, a program of South Asian film clips, arts, crafts, and pastimes. Here may be on a beach in Hawaii or in Japan for some Japanese pop culture, with Japan Culture Club. Here may even be the landscape of one s own personality, to be explored through art, writing, gaming and quizzes. And, as always, Here can be the library, where teens can read books and magazines, create, meet with friends, and talk with library. All Timberland library programs are free of charge. Check out for program details. On April 30 th, the WellSpring Community Network partnered with the Long Beach Police Department, Pacific County Sherriff s Department and Washington State Patrol to participate in a community wide drug take-back event sponsored by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Three locations were set up around the community (Klipsan, Ilwaco and Naselle). Volunteers collected over 60 lbs of various types of medication including pills, capsules and liquids. All the RX Take Back volunteers at the Ocean Beach Hospital site near collected items were properly disposed of by incineration in an effort to keep them out of the local ground water, streams, rivers as well as from being misused or abused by youth and adults. This is the second national Drug Take-Back event sponsored by WellSpring and local law enforcement in partnership with the DEA. These events provide a safe and secure way for the community to have their unwanted and unused medications properly disposed of. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this event possible, we could not have done it without the support of our community. If you have additional questions or if you want to be involved in similar efforts, please contact WellSpring Community Network at YAK and Elementary Student s Honor Graduates Graduating seniors received a special gift this year at their graduation practice. Fifth and sixth grade students in Mrs. Clarke and Mrs. Anderson s classes wrote letters to them. The letters congratulate them on their success and wish them happy futures. The Ilwaco High School Youth Action Klub (YAK) coordinated this project and presented the seniors with the letters. In the letter to his big brother Tayler, 6 th grader Jack Odneal wrote, I m going to follow in your footstep. And I really want to be as smart as you. Josh Schenk received a letter from his little brother Ryan saying, I don t quite want you to leave yet. Sixth grader Maddy Chabot told graduating senior Melanie Hughes, You inspire me and I will work hard to graduate and get to college because of you. The younger students did a great job writing the letters and they were well received by the older students. For more information about YAK or any of it s activities, please contact Sarah Taylor at

6 About Us WellSpring Community Network is a grass roots organization made up from individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellness in South Pacific County. We are always looking for volunteers and to form new partnerships that will strengthen our community. Please contact us at to get involved or for more information. The work of WellSpring and this newsletter are made possible through generous support from our funders: Volunteers Needed! Opportunities to get involved in your community: All Comers Meets Need field event judges, timers, and general helpers. Please contact Sarah Taylor at SAFE Homes Parent Network forming core committee to work over the summer to plan and develop program for Fall 2011 kick off. Please contact Rosanne or Katie Lindstrom at ex Summer Lunch Program-need volunteers to help staff summer lunch program. Prepare, deliver, clean up...something for everyone. Please contact Mary Goelz at for details. Family Game Nights volunteers needed to help during these fun, family events. Contact Jean at for details. Beach Cleanup need volunteers for Beach Clean up event. Contact Kathleen Sayce at ex 106 for details. Low Ropes Course Come help us build a low ropes course for South County Youth, August 13th at Ocean Park Methodist Camp. Contact Monica for details WellSpring Teams Parent Enrichment, Capacity/PR, RX Team, Meth Action, Evaluation, Executive/Steering, Healthy Communities, and more. Find out how to get involved by calling Hospitality Committee-Seeking individuals interested in helping set up and take down monthly WellSpring meetings. Also, looking for volunteer minute takers. Cape Disappointment State Park Local volunteers are needed at the North Head Lighthouse and Lewis & Clark interpretive. For more information contact Steve at or LCIC@parks.wa.gov. Upcoming Meetings, Events, and More What When Time Where Contact MOM's Club Meeting June 11th 11:00 Lee's Home Lee Knott Summer Lunch Volunteer Training June 14th 8:30 County Admin Bldg Mary Goelz WellSpring Meeting June 14th 3:00 County Admin Bldg Monica Younger Meth Action Team June 14th 1:00 County Admin Bldg Katie Lindstrom WellSpring Orientation June 14th 2:00 County Admin Bldg Monica Younger All Comers Track Meet June 15th 5:30 IMHS Track Sarah Taylor All Comers Track Meet June 21st 5:30 IMHS Track Sarah Taylor Executive Team June 23rd 8:30 WBH Monica Younger Healthy Communities Team June27th 3:00 Ocean Beach Hospital Tara Hano Capacity/PR Team June 27th 3:00 County Admin Bldg Katie Lindstrom Executive Retreat June 28th TBD TBD Monica Younger All Comers Track Meet June 29th 5:30 IMHS Track Sarah Taylor Parent Enrichment Team July TBD TBD Pen. Baptist Church David Curtis Meth Action Team July 12th 1:00 County Admin Bldg Katie Lindstrom WellSpring Orientation July 12th 2:00 County Admin Bldg Katie Lindstrom WellSpring Meeting July 12th 3:00 County Admin Bldg Monica Younger Capacity/PR Team July 25th 3:00 County Admin Bldg Katie Lindstrom Health Communities Team July 25th 3:00 Ocean Beach Hospital Mary Goelz Executive Team July 28th 8:30 WBH Monica Younger Low Ropes Course Build Day August 13th TBD Ocean Park Methodist Camp Monica Younger