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Social Media Safety Training
As a parent, it can be hard to stay "in the know" about all the apps teens are using. The Center for Online Safety and the Burlington Healthy Community Coalition have the latest information and will share FREE controls and ways to raise Cyber-Savvy Teens. Light refreshments will be provided, and this event features live Spanish-language translation.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 30, 6 – 7 pm
WHERE: Lucille Umbarger School | 820 South Skagit St., Burlington
AUDIENCE: Parents & Caregivers
COST: Free
No registration required! Please RSVP to help us plan for space and refreshments here
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Peer Grief Support for Youth
Join us for peer support drop-in sessions and spend time with people who understand. Participants have the option to take part in discussions, play, art, learning, and other age-appropriate activities for expressing grief in a supportive environment with trained staff and volunteers.
WHEN: The second and fourth Tuesday of the month | 6 - 7:30 pm
- Next sessions: April 22, May 13, May 27
WHERE: Heartwood House | 2136 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley
AUDIENCE: Youth aged 6-18 years old who have had a family member or someone close to them die
COST: Free
Learn more and register here
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Youth Bereavement Volunteer Training
If you are passionate about supporting youth, consider becoming a Rooted: Grieving & Growing Together volunteer. There are opportunities to participate behind the scenes or co-facilitate groups of youth. The first step for every potential volunteer is to take part in our online and in-person training.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21 | 6 – 8 pm (in person)
WHERE: Heartwood House | 2136 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley
AUDIENCE: Community members and professionals aged 18+. Personal or professional connection with grief is a cornerstone of peer-based programs, and we welcome folks with a variety of educational and lived experiences.
COST: Free
Learn more and sign up here
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Youth Mental Health First Aid
Whether you work with children and youth, or you’re a parent or a caring neighbor, you can play a critical role in helping young people thrive. Designed for adults who regularly interact with youth aged 13-18, this course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
WHEN:
- Saturday, May 31, 10 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday, June 12, 9 am – 3:30 pm
WHERE: Heartwood House | 2136 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA
AUDIENCE: Anyone age 18+
COST: $35 (scholarships available)
Learn more here
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Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Suicide is one of the most preventable types of death, and you have what it takes to help someone through a crisis moment. In Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), participants learn to recognize suicide risk and the skills to make a positive difference.
WHEN: Thursday, April 24 | 2:30 – 4 pm
WHERE: Online
AUDIENCE: Anyone in Skagit County age 16+
COST: Free
Find out more and sign up here
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Play and Grow Drop-in Group
This group is a space for parents and caregivers to connect and share. The hour includes time for songs, play, and group discussions on development, feeding, sleep, and other related topics. No need to sign up – just bring your baby and yourself!
WHEN: Every Tuesday
- Spanish group meets at 9:30 am
- English group meets at 11:00 am
WHERE: Heartwood House | 2136 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley
AUDIENCE: Infants/toddlers and their caregivers
COST: Free
Learn more here
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Overdose Response
With the right tools, bystanders can act to prevent overdose deaths. Learn the steps for identifying and responding to an overdose, including how to deliver Narcan® (aka naloxone) the medication that reverses an opioid overdose. Information about how to get naloxone at no cost will also be provided.
WHEN:
- Tuesday, April 29, 12-1 pm
- Monday, May 19, 1-2 pm
WHERE: Online
AUDIENCE: Anyone in Skagit County age 16+
COST: Free
Learn more and sign up today here
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Facilitator Training for the Strengthening Families Program 10-14
Become certified to facilitate the program proven to build positive parenting skills and protect against youth substance use. This training will be held in-person over three days and is for new facilitators who would like to work in a team of three to deliver the evidence-based program to families in their local communities. To become certified in the Spanish language program model, you must also attend the session on May 16.
WHEN: May 13-16 | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
WHERE: District 304 campus in Sedro-Woolley (various buildings)
AUDIENCE: People aged 18+
COST: Free
Learn more and sign up today here
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Adult Mental Health First Aid
Over four million people in the U.S. have been trained to support someone in a mental health or substance use crisis. Join the movement and make a difference in the life of a friend, coworker, family member, or other adult who needs your support.
WHEN: Friday, May 16, 9 am – 4:30 pm
WHERE: Online
AUDIENCE: Anyone age 18+
COST: $35 (scholarships available)
Learn more here
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National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 26 from 10 am - 2 pm. You can bring prescription and over-the-counter medications for safe disposal – no questions asked - to the Burlington Safety Building located at 311 Cedar St, across from Skagit Skate.
Spring cleaning includes your medicine cabinet or locking medication storage container! By regularly removing expired, unused, or unneeded medications from your home, you can reduce the chance for accidental poisoning or intentional misuse by a family member or visitor.
| | | Can’t make the event? There are more than 10 locations throughout Skagit with year-round safe disposal kiosks. Enter your zip code to find the nearest location at: MedTakeBackWashington.org | | Love and Limits: Protecting Teens Online | | The Concrete Resource Coalition and Burlington Healthy Community Coalition have listened to the needs of parents and partnered with the Center for Online Safety to share meaningful and actionable information. See our class listings above for information on our upcoming free Social Media Safety Training for Parents and Caregivers. | | Now more than ever, youth need adults to provide guard rails online and help them navigate the pressures and challenges of today’s technologies. The Center for Online Safety provides practical information and tools that have helped families across America enjoy a more peaceful family life, confident they are doing everything possible to keep their children safe online. | Download the Circles of Cyber Safety Framework for a quick overview! | | Shaping the Future of Childhood | | |
The Inspire Breakfast Northwest is an important event dedicated to advancing early childhood education and strengthening local community-based initiatives. This year’s breakfast is Wednesday, May 7 from 8:30 -10 am and features:
- Keynote speaker Ray Soriano, a distinguished leader in child welfare, early learning, and equity, with more than 30 years of experience.
- Critical conversations about legislative priorities, funding, and collaborative strategies to strengthen the early care and education system across our five-county region.
- Engagement opportunities around advocacy prioritizing children and families.
Seating is limited, so get your ticket today! Registration is $40 per person or invite a friend or coworker and get two tickets for $70. Learn more Inspire Breakfast NW — Northwest Early Learning Coalition.
| | Click to download the flyer | | |
It’s Farmers Market season, and families with WIC may qualify for additional benefits to buy local fruits, veggies, and herbs. Meet our friendly United General WIC staff at the Sedro-Woolley, Stanwood, or Concrete market this spring and summer (see flyer for dates and locations) to receive your benefits and get a reusable tote bag for all your delicious finds! The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits are available only while supplies last and are based on family eligibility.
Questions? Give us a call at (360) 854-0435.
| | | The WIC App makes it easier than ever to use benefits at markets. Watch this quick video for more info. | | | | |
Healthy Kids Day is just around the corner! Help Me Grow Skagit is partnering with the Skagit Valley Family YMCA for Healthy Kids Day on April 26 at the Hoag Road YMCA location. From 12:30 – 2 pm, children and families can find fun events, games, educational activities, and healthy snacks. Plus, lots of free giveaways during the day, including life jackets, backpacks, tie-dye t-shirts, and more! There’s no registration required, and the event is free.
Share the Facebook event and help us spread the word!
| | Travel Through Time in Search of Lost Treasure! | | The wait is over! Registration for the 2025 Trek for Treasure summer adventure is now open. Gather your teammates, sign up before June 9, and hike the trails for clues to find artifacts and save the world – or at least have a lot of active outdoor fun! With two intensity levels to choose from, beginning hikers to outdoor enthusiasts can take part in the event of the season. This year’s adventure will be an unforgettable journey, and we hope you’ll join us for the first (or fifteenth) time! | | | "We love Trek for Treasure and consider it the highlight of our summer! We have three generations that make up our team: grandmother, mother, and daughter. It is a great adventure for all ages while getting exercise, laughing a lot, and seeing some breathtaking country. We love it and talk about our adventures all year long!" – Team 3 Gens | |
Early-bird pricing is active now through May 15.
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Skagit Nature Rx walks started today and will be offered regularly through October. Our team provides gentle guided walks for adults of all ages at locations throughout Skagit County. These are a perfect way to experience new places, meet other people, and soak up the proven benefits of time spent outside. Learn more and sign up for a FREE walk at Nature Rx - United General District 304
| | Shop the Co-op April 25 and Support Farm to School! | | | | |
5% Friday is the Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Community Shopping Day and it’s a simple way to support local organizations while stocking up on groceries, plants, wellness items, and home goods! On the 4th Friday of every month, the Co-op donates 5% of sales to a local group, and April benefits our own Concrete Farm to School program!
With the money raised this year, we will be able to continue offering summer youth employment on the Farm and provide a weekly produce stand with student-grown food and flowers. Our staff will be at the Co-op from 10 am to 2 pm on April 25 with a table sharing information and additional ways to get involved.
We hope to see you there!
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The Lyman Elementary School Parent Group planned and built their own school garden last month, thanks in part to materials donated by Skagit Farmers Supply. Miles, our Farm to School AmeriCorps VISTA member, was on hand to lend support and left in awe of how much can be accomplished by a group of committed volunteers.
The garden was finished in one weekend and, because of the group’s dedication, Miles will offer garden lessons to Lyman students for the first time this spring! In addition to the food that’s grown, school gardens allow for experiential, hands-on education and create spaces for teamwork, exploration, collaboration, and inquiry, all of which are essential to healthy child development.
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Take advantage of seasonal greens and veggies with a simple and colorful Garden Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. Making salads with kids and offering options for extra toppings means they’re more likely to eat their salad creation. Drying greens in the salad spinner is always a favorite task in the Farm to School kitchen and even little hands will love shaking the dressing jar and scattering toppings on the greens!
Bonus: Make your own homemade flatbread as a side. It’s easier than you think – no yeast required – and everyone can help knead and shape the dough. Click to download both recipes.
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April is National Volunteer month, celebrating and recognizing the contributions of volunteers and marking a time of affirming personal commitments to giving back! AmeriCorps members are a special type of dedicated volunteer, who pledge their time and talents full or part time to a specific project benefitting a local community over 8-12 months.
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We're proud to be a longtime AmeriCorps host site and now a VISTA sponsor site bringing additional resources and people-power to Skagit County. Last year, our Interns and AmeriCorps contributed over 6,000 service hours, helping folks of all ages access resources, information, and activities that promote health and wellbeing. A huge thank you to our current AmeriCorps members:
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Seth Kosanovich, Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps, providing Mental Health First Aid courses to adults.
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Miles Lane, Farm to School VISTA, supporting Sedro-Woolley programming.
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Grace Weinrich, Grief Support Development VISTA, leading the launch of the Rooted: Grieving and Growing Together program.
| | Pictured left to right: Seth Kosanovich, Miles Lane, and Grace Weinrich | | Did you know you can use your Fred Meyer card to help make our programs possible? Through Fred Meyer Community Rewards, you can link your card to United General District 304. Link your card in person on your next visit, or click here to do it online. Funds support classes, trainings, and programs in our community at no cost to you! | | | |
United General District 304 offers more than 50 programs promoting health & wellbeing at every stage of life. | | | | | |
