Community Newsletter | November/December 2023

More Family Programs Coming Soon!

Looking for ways to bond with your tween or teen while improving family communication and decreasing stress at home? Our Strengthening Families Program for Parents & Youth 10-14 will be starting in early 2024! Keep an eye on our training and events page to learn more and sign up for a FREE seven-week program happening across Skagit in English and Spanish this winter. For more information, fill out our interest form or contact Erin.Williams@UnitedGeneral.org.

Support for Purchasing Fresh Produce

Skagit Fruit and Veggie Prescription (FVRx) Program enrollment is open for 2024! This free, year-long program provides participants with vouchers to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at local stores and offers resources and support along the way. Interested? Please complete the FVRx interest form on our website.

Food & Gratitude

Concrete Farm to School partnered with the Concrete School District Food Service team to send out 60 fried rice and pumpkin snack bar recipe kits over the Thanksgiving break. Families received all the ingredients to make the recipes (including local produce from Blue Heron and Boldly Grown Farms) and a video of Program Coordinator Margo Heffron preparing the fried rice so they could cook along at home. This fantastic collaboration was featured in the Skagit Valley Herald last week! 

Download the recipes below!

Thank you to the Concrete School District Food Service team and Concrete Farm to School coordinators!

Youth in Action: Cannabis & Tobacco Prevention

High school groups from across the five county north sound region are invited to attend the winter Peer 2 Peer training on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Peer 2 Peer is a cannabis and tobacco prevention program focused on empowering youth with the skills and confidence to teach other youth about health and prevention science, the effects of cannabis and tobacco, and healthy coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. The in-person, all-day training for students and their adult advisors provides the knowledge and confidence to deliver impactful prevention presentations in their communities. Find out how to get involved by contacting Olivia.Guelich@UnitedGeneral.org.

Statewide Summit - Leading Prevention Together

Four District 304 staff and several community members travelled to Spokane in October to learn from substance use prevention and mental health promotion experts and fellow Coalitions at the 2023 Prevention Summit sponsored by the Washinton State Health Care Authority. New Burlington Healthy Community Coalition Coordinator, Kaaren Flint, shared, “Seeing how many resources and programs are available to support the wellbeing of our community was energizing. And the amount of youth attending and leading initiatives is inspiring!” Ideas for local efforts include wellness journals, safe-driving apps that pay teens in gift cards for following safe driving practices, and sharing the new overdose prevention campaign: Friends for Life.

Staying Active Across the Seasons

Winter is nearly here in the Northwest meaning less daylight and weather that might make you want to stay wrapped in a blanket. Exercising outside in the wintertime can feel like a daunting task, but we have you covered! Visit our webpage for yoga and other exercises you can do at home. These free resources were developed by our staff during the COVID-19 shutdown, and continue to benefit our community!

Alternatively, come to United Fitness Center and meet your fitness goals with other like-minded folks. Our staff is ready to help you create a workout you can do on your own, or join a class and socialize while you sweat. And a yoga session or open gym membership makes a great Christmas gift!

Sponsorship Opportunities for Trek for Treasure 2024!

Does your business or organization love giving back to the community? We are looking for you! Trek for Treasure is the most anticipated summer event in Skagit County. Put together a team to participate in this fun and healthy event and market your business to our loyal participants while you’re at it. Held over 12 weeks in the summer, there are plenty of marketing opportunities to connect your business with families and community members looking to stay active and enjoy all our area has to offer. Join with other sponsors such as PeaceHealth, Stowes, McDonald's of Sedro-Woolley, Just Peachy Frozen Yogurt, and Savi Bank. Spots are filling up fast! Please visit the Trek for Treasure sponsorship webpage for more information!

Expanded WIC Clinic Hours Now Available

If you or someone you know is pregnant or have a child under age five, WIC can help provide nutritious foods and resources that keep growing families healthy. United General WIC has three locations to serve you and offers in-person or telehealth appointments. In addition to our regular office hours Monday - Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm, we've added extended hours until 7 pm on the 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays, and from 9 am – 1 pm on the third Saturday of each month. Click to view office hours for each of our three locations.

Interested in WIC? Parents and caregivers can fill out this simple form to inquire about WIC services, or give us a call at 360-856-2549.

Help Me Grow National Forum

Thriving Children & Families pillar supervisor Lyndie Simmonds joined staff from WithinReach and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to represent Washington at the Help Me Grow National Forum in Texas in October. The conference explored topics on equity, elevating family voice, and strengthening the system for all families. United General District 304 is the local affiliate for Help Me Grow Skagit, a system that connects families with young children to supports and services to help children grow up healthy. 

Year-End Donations That Support Your Community

If you are in a place to contribute financially and give back to the health of your community, we hope you’ll consider a year-end gift to support our work. The Foundation of District 304 is the nonprofit arm of our organization, and donations may be tax deductible*. The Foundation’s mission is to support the health and wellness programs District 304 provides, many of which are free to participants, including Farm to School garden education in local schools, mental health promotion for youth, and resources and support for parents of young children.

Your contribution will help us continue providing free and low-cost programs to some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Visit here to donate today! If you have any questions or would like to discuss your donation to District 304, contact Amy Wilcox at 360-854-7156 or amy.wilcox@unitedgeneral.org.

*Please discuss charitable donation tax implications with your financial advisor or accountant; District 304 does not give tax advice.

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 Foundation of District 304. Link your card in person on your next visit, or click here to do it online. Funds support classes, trainings, and programs for Foundation of District 304 at no cost to you!

Thank You!