We foster collaborative engagement to advance equity in Washington County.
VAN Convenings
 Wednesday, April 19 from 8:30-10am
In-person at Village Church, Columbia Room
(main level near Village Cafe)
Register to join us for the IN-PERSON gathering of
Washington County Thrives All-Collaborative!

Topics will include an update on the Behavioral Health Initiative and discussion of a proposed new initiative focused on youth. As usual, there will be time for participants to share relevant updates and announcements, and we have also allotted time for networking and catching up with colleagues and community leaders. Space is limited - Register now to save your spot!!!
April Observances
National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, but Oregon observes tree related activities all month and has officially declared April as Arbor Month. Several cities in Washington County have been recognized as a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation: Banks, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin, and Sherwood. Keep an eye on VAN's Community Events Calendar for related events and check out Tree For All's April 2023 Community Events.
April is full of ways to honor and care for nature! Founded in 1970, Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. According to EarthDay.org, this year's theme continues the call to "Invest in our Planet" by taking action against the climate crisis and creating a sustainable future. VAN's Community Events Calendar lists local opportunities and you can find more ways to make a difference at SOLVE Oregon and Friends of Trees.
Get Engaged!
Visit our Community Events Calendar for opportunities to engage meaningfully in your community. Submit an event to the calendar and we will consider including it in our monthly newsletter!
Featured Event

Brought to you by the Westside Planet Alliance and Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling, PlanetCon is a FREE community reuse, recycling and sustainability fair. This is an indoor/outdoor event, masks are optional.
Activities include: recycling some specific types of plastic, electronics, small appliances and batteries, a really, really free market swap area for small household items, an area for bike donations to WashCo Bikes, and more. For complete details check the website at www.PlanetCon.org.
Featured Event

THPRD Summer Registration opens April 15, and Centro de Bienvenida is a series of days in the week prior when Financial Aid recipients and English Language Learners are invited to join and discover THPRD classes and activities. Bilingual staff are available to offer special registration assistance in Spanish, and on request, in other languages. We have sports, swimming, nature activities, art and more! To request an appointment call 503-645-6433 or visit thprd.info/centro.

Featured Event

Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire is a documentary that takes viewers on a journey with the top experts in the nation to better understand fire. The film includes the voices of climate experts, Indigenous people, and fire survivors, and asks us to reimagine our relationship with wildfire as we prepare for an increasingly hotter future. Learn more and find a complete list of screenings at elementalfilm.com. Watch a screening and attend a Q&A at Cornelius Cinemas on Thur, April 13 at 6:30pm.
Featured Event

Join NAMI Washington County and Shattering Stigma with Stories for a morning of free education and support, where you will hear from both parents and youth who have dealt with mental health challenges. Learn about specific mental health issues kids face and discover hands-on practical tools you can use right away with youth in your community. This event is for parents, teachers, coaches, and anyone else who supports or works with school-age youth in Washington County. Note: Childcare is NOT provided for this event.
Your City, Your County, Your Community
This year's annual town meeting will be hosted in the Forest Grove City Auditorium. The meeting will be facilitated by the Committee for Community Involvement members. Saturday, April 29, 10:00am–12:00pm.
The City of Hillsboro is updating camping rules to comply with federal and state laws. Before the Hillsboro City Council considers the required updates in June, the City is listening and engaging with community members. Take the Camping Rules Survey by April 7 to share your experiences.
Mayor Lueb is now seeking applications for Tigard’s next Youth City Councilor. Eligible students may attend a high school outside of Tigard but must reside within Tigard City Limits. To be considered, applications must be received by noon on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb’s first State of the City address at Broadway Rose Theater on April 24 at 6:00pm. Childcare will be available. The event is limited to 300 community members. Reserve your seat to attend.
For the first time since 2019, the State of the City Address will be live and in-person at the newly completed Tualatin City Services building (10699 SW Herman Road). Arrive at 6pm for appetizers and conversation and stay for the program at 7pm. Or stream the event from website or watch live on Cable Channel 28. Wednesday, April 26.
A virtual State of the County address will air on Wednesday, April 19, at 4:30pm. Chair Harrington will review some of the accomplishments and services that Washington County provides to keep the community safe, strong and resilient, including efforts to end homelessness, maintain public health and support economic development.
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. Libraries throughout Washington County are hosting celebrations in late April.
The Early Learning Washington County team has released their annual report, showcasing their impact across the county in a variety of areas. Read the report now.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office Latino Advisory Commission invites you to join a community conversation about public safety. The presentation will be provided live in English and Spanish at Centro Cultural, 110 N Adair St, Cornelius on Wed, April 5 at 6pm.

Register for this 6-class series, Wednesday evenings from May 10-June 14, 6pm-9pm and experience interactive demonstrations, specialized tours, and an in-depth look into Washington County Sherrif's Office operations.
You have the power to shape the nature of your neighborhood! Up to $2 million will be awarded throughout parts of Washington County for parks and nature projects imagined and chosen by you and your neighbors. Attend a workshop on April 8, 11am-1pm at Shute Park Library or April 19, 5-7pm at Tualatin Hills Nature Center.

Metro's Technical Advisory Committee is seeking 2 community representatives from Washington County (one to serve as a member and one as an alternate member) who are interested in issues affecting land use, urban growth, housing, development and transportation in greater Portland. Please apply now through April 17, 2023.