Hello from the Early Childhood Hub

We hope your family is settling into new routines and enjoying the crisp transition into fall.

Whether you're looking for spooky fun, meaningful connection, or fresh parenting perspectives, you've come to the right place.

• Check out local trunk-or-treat and family-friendly Halloween events on our Family Fun page. Be sure to visit our Activity Calendar for storytimes and events happening all year long.

• This month, we're spotlighting Filipino American and Italian American Heritage Month with curated books for small children.

• Explore fresh insights from Dr. Aoife Magee, Ayisha Elliott, and the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative in our parenting blogs section.

• Parenting Groups & Cafés are great spaces to meet other families and find support. Many groups are back in session after a summer break. And did you know our Family Leadership Council is now accepting applications? Find out more & apply here.

We’re glad you are here.

Let the gourd times roll. Watch adorable animals play with pumpkins at the Oregon Zoo.

Look for our new Trunk or Treat section on our seasonal Family Fun page. Take a fall hike, pick out a pumpkin, dress up for Halloween: we've got something for everyone.

October Reading Recommendations

9 Children’s Books to Share During Filipino American History Month

October is Filipino American History Month, which celebrates and honors the history, accomplishments, and legacy of Filipinos in the United States. These books share stories that range from life in the Philippines to journeys of migration and the bicultural experience, capturing Filipino traditions, language, and highlighting deep familial bonds.

Gotham Reads presents Dan Yaccarino reading “All The Way To America”.

Dan Yaccarino’s great-grandfather arrived at Ellis Island with a small shovel and his parents’ good advice: “Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family.” With simple text and warm, colorful illustrations, Yaccarino recounts how the little shovel was passed down through four generations of this Italian-American family—along with the good advice.

Megan McQueen explores how "authors magically make readers feel inspired, cozy, seen, happy, and mighty in just 32 pages."

Learn more about the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative and read their blog!

Parenting Blog Posts

Local Resources

Parenting Health Preteens

PARENTING HEALTHY PRETEENS CLASS

WHEN: Starting in October – dates to be determined!

WHERE: Online class!

Parenting Healthy Preteens is designed to help parents support their children successfully bridge the period from childhood to adolescence. This program is based on the KITS and KEEP Programs at the Oregon Social Learning Center.

In Parenting Healthy Preteens, group facilitators will guide parents through ways to support their preteen’s mental health, positive self-esteem, success at home and school, and ways to support themselves as parents!

Parents meet together online for 90-minutes, once a week for 8 weeks. Groups offered in English and Spanish.

Reach out to Deena for more information and to register!

Parent and Community Cafes

KITS at Home (KAH)

KITS at Home (KAH) English only at this time

*Note* families in Springfield may be ineligible for KAH due to a special partnership coming in Fall 2026

KAH is an online series for families with children in PreK-1 grade (ages 4-6). Join other parents and learn ways to help your child follow directions, cooperate, and build social skills, like sharing and handling big feelings.

Enrolling now for fall:

Tuesdays (10/21-12/16) 5:30-7PM

Register Here

Free Internet for Students K-12

T-Mobile is offering free internet to families who qualify.

Get 200GB at no cost and an optional data pass for $10—all current and newly qualifying customers included. It takes 5 minutes to apply and you’ll have it for 5 years.

Plus, there are no annual fees or re-certifications. Check eligibility or see the list of qualifying programs below.

Qualification examples: recipients of SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid). 

Nurturely Lounge has moved!

Nurturely has moved! Their baby-friendly space is ready for parents, caregivers, and little ones to connect, learn, and get support at the Clear Lake Community Center at 4646 Barger Drive in Eugene.

Families can:

• Book a Consult Hour to explore the lounge and access resources
• Learn about Nurturely programs and upcoming events
• Check out books and our Carrier Library
• Get infant carrying support and lactation & perinatal support
• Bring babies, kids, friends, or family and be part of the community

Book a lounge consult hour here

Hands-on carrying help:

Families can also book One-on-One Infant Carrying Consults to:

• Learn to use their own carrier safely and comfortably
• Try and check out carriers our Carrier Library

Book a carrying consult here

Fill Your Pantry

Lane County Fill Your Pantry is a one-of-a-kind fall event that helps our community stock up directly from local farmers, ranchers, and food makers. It’s all about filling your pantry, freezer, and root cellar with nourishing staples for the winter—while putting your food dollars straight into the hands that grow and raise it. This is food sovereignty in action: neighbors supporting neighbors, building resilient local food systems one bulk bag at a time.

New This Year

This year, we're excited to partner with Lane County Bounty and Lane County Farmers Market, and we’re adding new options like delivery to reach even more folks—especially in rural areas! For the first time, SNAP will be accepted directly online for pre-orders, and our SNAP Match is $150 with no restrictions—meaning SNAP recipients can walk away with $300 worth of nourishing local food for just $150.

Event Details

• Sunday, November 9th
• Accessible Pick-Up & Shopping Period 11 am to 12 pm
• General Pick-Up & Shopping Period 12 pm to 4 pm
• Lane Events Center - Agricultural Pavilion
• 796 W. 13th Ave, Eugene OR

We've lined up a showcase of all the Willamette Valley has to offer. Check out the incredible finds you'll see when you meet the vendors!

Online Pre-Order

Starting October 1st, you can pre-order online for delivery or pick-up. Get a head start and fill your cart with all you'll need to enjoy the bounty of the Willamette Valley. 

Pre-Order Online

Fall Family Day

Learn about Chinese American heritage in Oregon with hands-on activities throughout the museum. While you’re here, be sure to check out our exhibit Roots and Resilience, which tells the stories of Chinese immigrants who helped shape Oregon’s history.

Activities are included with regular admission, and free for Museum of Natural and Cultural History members and UO ID card holders. Activities perfect for ages three and up. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Join the Family Leadership Council

You’re here because you care about having a say in decisions that affect young children and families. Since 2020, The Early Childhood Hub has been listening to the experiences, ideas, and hopes of families like yours. We rely on parent voices to help us build stronger programs that support young children in our community. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child age 8 or younger in Lane County, we invite you to apply and join the Family Leadership Council and be part of building a brighter future for young children and families!

Eddie Pena (he/him)

Bilingual Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

I’m a visual communicator who geeks out on technology, culture, and finding creative ways to make my community better. Life has bounced me around a bit. I started in El Salvador, studied in the U.S., picked up some wisdom (and probably too much coffee) in Barcelona Spain and Vancouver Canada, and then made my way back to the States.

Contact Eddie

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at education@unitedwaylane.org.

Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. Newsletter edited by Lisa Milton.