La Center United Newsletter

Survey Link: https://www.research.net/r/CLLCUNEN2021

Please help La Center United continue to collect community data by taking our community survey. This survey will help La Center United understand current community conditions and how to best serve the community. Take a picture of your completed survey submission receipt and email it to lacenterunited@gmail.com to have your name put in a drawing for a $25 gift card.

When: Tuesday, December 14th & Thursday, Dec. 16th 2021 from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: This is a two-part training to be held virtually via zoom

About the training:

Youth will learn:

• How you can make a difference and become an effective advocate for what you're passionate about
• How to build relationships with elected officials and their staff; All about the legislative process, including connections to help you track issues
• How to include youth leaders in advocacy and policy development

Who is it for?

Youth interested in making a difference through advocacy and policy change. Perfect for prevention clubs, government classes, and leadership groups! No experience is necessary.

This training is by youth and for youth – The workshop facilitators are youth who have experience in public speaking, working with decision-makers and government leaders.

Here is the link to register: Use Your Voice Registration

This training is open to more than just the SW Region, so feel free to share within your networks.

Contact Jesse Jimenez for more information or questions.

La Center United has partnered with community organizations and local businesses to compile baskets with local information and swag items to welcome new neighbors to the community.

Each basket consists of: a La Center United welcome letter, brochures, and/or business cards from local businesses, churches, and volunteer groups, a treat from Sadie & Josie's bakery, a face mask, a La Center United: bandana, pop-socket, pen, and lanyard, a small notebook, to-go “youth first” bag, key chain, La Center Museum Centennial newspaper, and calendar with historical pictures of La Center.

If you are a new community member or know a new member of the community who may be interested in a community welcome basket please contact lacenterunited@gmail.com.

An uptick in the accidental ingestion of delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles by children and youth prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to release a health alert after many of those ingestions resulted in hospitalizations.

Consumers of cannabis products should be wary of insufficient labeling on products containing delta-8 THC, a psychoactive compound found in hemp that often comes in the forms of edibles, like gummies and chocolates, beverages, vapes, and tinctures.

Delta-8 THC intoxication can cause adverse effects, especially in children. These effects include:

• Lethargy
• Uncoordinated movements and decreased psychomotor activity
• Slurred speech
• Increased heart rate progressing to slowed heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Sedation
• Coma

Click Here to Keep Reading

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released findings from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the nation’s well-being. Americans responding to the NSDUH survey reported that the coronavirus outbreak adversely impacted their mental health, including by exacerbating the use of alcohol or drugs among people who had used drugs in the past year.

Click Here to Keep Reading

As policy and legalization efforts evolve and the availability of legal marijuana increases, communities and families need guidance to support the prevention of marijuana use among youth.

SAMHSA released a new guide that showcases promising programs and environmental strategies for reducing and preventing marijuana use among youth aged 12 to 17, including:

• Environmental strategies, such as regulating the price of marijuana products, where these products are sold, the products themselves, and their promotion and advertising
• School- and community-based substance use prevention programs to implement along with environmental interventions as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy. The guide provides considerations and strategies for key stakeholders (including policymakers, community coalitions, businesses, school administrators, educators, and other community members), states, and the prevention workforce to prevent and reduce marijuana use among youth.

The guide provides considerations and strategies for key stakeholders (including policymakers, community coalitions, businesses, school administrators, educators, and other community members), states, and the prevention workforce to prevent and reduce marijuana use among youth.

Click here to view the SAMHSA Resource Guide

The Loft Brochure

What is The Loft

The Loft is a Teen center open to Middle & Highschool teens.

What are the hours?

The Loft is open Wednesday afternoon's 3:30-5:30 when school is in session

Where Is The Loft Located?

The Loft is located in La Center Evangelical Free Church 111 E 5th St, La Center, WA 98629

What is there to do at The Loft?

Activities at The Loft include:

· Board games

· Foosball

· Basketball

· Pool

· Ping pong

· Art Activities

· Baking

· Drawing

· Dodgeball

· Video games

· Table Hockey

· A community library

· Homework help

· And more!

The Loft is located in a church, does the Loft have a religious affiliation?

The Loft has no religious affiliation. The La Center Evangelical Free Church has generously donated space to help provide a safe space in the community for teens.

History of the Loft

La Center United is a community coalition focused on building a safe community where youth and families can learn, grown, connect and build resilience. During a community townhall forum the coalition was made aware of the lack of safe spaces for youth to hangout in the community. The coalition jumped into action and in 2017 The Loft Opened its doors deeming itself a safe place for teens to connect.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are an adult interested in volunteering, or bringing in a new skill please contact La Center United at lacenterunited@gmail.com to learn more.

Registration:

All participants must be registered to attend. Parents can register thier youth from the link below.

• AmazonSmile: next time you make a purchase from Amazon, consider purchasing through smile.amazon.com or Amazon Smile through the amazon shipping app; and choose La Center United. A portion of the proceeds goes directly towards La Center United at no additional cost to you.
• Fred Meyers Rewards: Supporting La center United when you shop is as simple as updating the Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

1. Sign in to your digital account

2. Go here to search for your organization

3. Enter the name or NPO number of the organization that you wish to support.

4. Select La Center United from the organization list and click “Save.”

Our Mission:

Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient

Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies

Supporting those in need, sharing ideas, and offering help

Our Vision:

A healthy and resilient community for youth and families

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: http://lacenterunited.org/
Phone: 3609523488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacenterunited