Team Sponsors Needed: If you are interested in sponsoring a youth soccer team for $200, please contact Mike Barry at 541-910-4456, ASAP.

Website: www.unioncountyyouthsoccer.org  Visit the website for all kinds of important information!

Referees Needed: Referees are needed for the 2010 summer rec league season (July & August).  There will be a clinic and schedule before games start in July. Call or email Hank Hudson: 541-963-6908 or Hank@eotitle.com

Select Soccer: Select Soccer is a competitive league consisting of separate boys and girls U12 (5th/6th) and U14 (7th/8th) teams designed for serious players who want to take their skills to the next level. Teams play 2 months every fall and spring. Travel may be involved, try-outs are held annually. Practice is 2-3 times during the week with games on Saturday. Costs vary depending on the team - scholarships are available. Call Tim Schoenfelder at 541-975-1505.

Volunteer Coaches Needed: More than 800 Union County youth participated in summer soccer last year - thanks to parents and adults who are willing to volunteer! If you are interested in coaching, you will receive a Coaches Manual, plus provided free coaching clinics before practices begin. You will be successful even if you have never coached or played soccer before! Please contact David Ebel for more information: 541-963-5684 or 541-910-1809; ndebel@eoni.com

Registration: $35 per player before May 4th. Mail in to UCYSA, POB 3038, La Grande, or drop off to The Hobby Habit. Check website for dates of walk-in registrations in your community, beginning April 22. Registration closes May 14th.

 

 

On April 26^th the fourth annual family fun fair will be held in Max Square. Family activities, games, drawings, food, music and entertainment will fill the time between 5pm-7pm. The day is designated as “Blue Monday,” and residents all over Union County are encouraged to wear blue in support of child abuse awareness and prevention. Community members, faith and school groups, service organizations, and more are welcome and encouraged to bring their families and have a good time. For more information, call CCF at 541-963-1034.

In 2009 Oregon counted 10,421 victims of child abuse or neglect - 49% were under the age of 6. Union County children accounted for 110 of the victims – with 51% under the age of 6. In Union County, 28% of these founded referrals were related to substance abuse.

 

In April of 2010, the Board of County Commissioners joins with mayors from Island City, La Grande, Imbler, Summerville, Elgin, Union, Cove and North Powder to declare April “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Union County. Family Matters is the Union County theme and the Commission on Children & Families, in collaboration with other community partners, is raising awareness of this proclamation in support of families that might be struggling with issues such as substance abuse, unemployment, parental involvement with law enforcement and domestic violence. For a complete listing of helpful child and family resources and services, go to http://www.unioncountykids.org .

 

Remember, every child is worth saving. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please contact DHS at 541-963-8571 or local law enforcement at 541-963-1017.  

 

DOWNLOAD THE APRIL 2010 FAMILY ACTIVITY CALENDAR HERE.

 

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24 and the Volunteer Link Committee encourages community members of all ages to volunteer in Union County! If you are interested in finding a local volunteer opportunity that matches your interests and time, please call the Volunteer Link Committee at the CCF Office, 541-963-1034. Or, simply download the attachment.

 

If you are interested in participating on the Volunteer Link Committee, a group dedicated to recognizing, supporting and recruiting community volunteers, our next meeting is May 25th at 10am, 1106 K Avenue. Call for more information: 541-963-1034.

La Grande MOPS is sponsoring a wonderful "Home Party Roundup!" Included Reps: Arbonne, Close to My Heart, Pampered Chef, Party Lite, Premiere Designs, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, and more! Door prizes, snacks, and plenty of shopping! Support your local MOPS chapter and have a great time! Also shop online at lagrandemops.com and click on Home Party Roundup.

Tuesday, April 20th. 6-9pm. Valley Fellowship, 507 Palmer, La Grande. Contact: Diane 541-568-4715

LGSD students needing additional academic support in transitioning from kindergarten to first grade will get help at the Willow Summer School Program this year. The program will serve about 30 kids from August 2-20th and will focus on reading, writing and math skills. Transportation will be provided from Central, Riveria, Greenwood and Island City school locations. Students will attend from 8:30am-11am, Monday through Friday. Inquiries should be directed to Larry Glaze at 541-663-3201.

An intermediate course on Cognitive Behavior Restructuring & Motivational Interviewing will be offered in La Grande on May 18 and May 19. The cost is $45-$55 depending on membership and is geared for those professionals at DHS, Adult Corrections, Mental Health, etc. Please call no later than March 25th for details or to register - Juvenile Department, 541-963-1012.

"For Kids Sake" is a 6-week FREE skills-based course in La Grande designed for divorced/seperated parents and their kids who are experiencing conflicts with the other parent. Seperate sessions are offered simultaneously for kids and parents, with childcare provided for smaller children. Call David or Angelia for detailed information and to see if this is the right class for you and your kids! CLASSES BEGIN APRIL 1st.  541-963-7226

Union County Fit Kids is coordinating a county-wide effort to raise awareness about the health and fitness value of kids walking to and/or from school. April 22nd has been declared as "Union County Walk to School Day" and schools across our valley are participating.

Island City Elementary - Will be starting up a "Walking School Bus" that will pair adult volunteers with schoolkids on walking routes. The "bus" will run from April to the end of the school year.

Cove Schools - Will be starting up a "Walking School Bus" home from school on Thursdays that will continue through the end of the schoolyear. Routes are being put together now.

Imbler Schools - Will include kids who ride the bus in their Walk to School Day activity.Students will meet at the City Park at 7:30am with school staff who will then lead the kids to school in groups - parents are encouraged to participate!

Powder Valley Schools - Will be sponsoring a one day walk HOME from school activity for kids in grades 1-5, including those that normally ride the bus. Teachers and volunteers will walk with students on a pre-planned route and bus kids will return to school in time to catch their bus.

Union Schools - Will host a one day walk HOME event - students will meet at Miller Playground and walk in groups led by high school or adult volunteers - parents are encouraged to participate!

Stella Mayfield - Will host a one day event similar to the fall progam. Teachers will lead student groups and parents are encouraged to participate.

Central & Greenwood - Each of these schools is encouraging students to walk or bike to school on April 22nd in honor of the Union County Walk to School Day program.

If you have questions about the Union County Walk to School Day Program and/or UC Fit Kids, please contact Robin Stedfeld at stedfeld@ohsu.edu

 

Next Step was opened in 1992 and is staffed by volunteers Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-5pm. The Next Step organization is a locally funded program with 2 purposes: raising awareness to the needs of young men and women in this community who are facing parenthood, and helping clients make good choices for themselves and their children. Services include: free pregnancy tests, pregnancy information, resource library, community referrals, maternity/infant clothing, reproductive health information, abortion information, after care or recovery help, healthy relationship support and a 24 hour hotline. Next Step is located at 1002 Spring Avenue, Suite 2. 541-963-6918 (office), 1-800-395-4357 (24 hour hotline). Email: nextsteppic@a4isp.com

 

KidTalk serves preschool-aged children whose primary problem is a speech-language disorder. Free screenings, and speech & language evaluations are available by appointment. Speech-language therapy may be provided 1-2 times per week (one-on-one) and also periodic individual parent training.  Referrals are accepted from any source, including parents. KidTalk is an Oregon Scottish Rite Clinic program, a 501C3. Screenings are provided without charge. Evaluations and treatment sessions are billed on a sliding scale. No child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay. In La Grand: 541-523-5828, 2802 Adams Avenue.

The LHS ASPIRE Program provides mentoring and resources to help students access education and training beyond high school. Students meet with mentors to explore post-high school job training, college choices, and scholarship opportunities. Mentors help track needed steps to meet deadlines. The ASPIRE Program is looking for new and returning mentors interested in helping students this spring and on into the next year. Students benefit from having a mentor assigned this spring or in early fall. Juniors have first priority. This is a great program for parents to benefit from understanding all the resources available to students. If interested, call Pam Dodds at 541-663-3397.

The Public Health Division is hosting a statewide "Youth Photo Contest" for Oregon Public Health Week (April5-9). The theme: How Do You See Public Health in the World Around You. The contest is open to any youth in Oregon aged 12-18 on the date of submission. Entried must be received by March 15, 2010. For more information go to www.communityhealthpriorities.org.

In Union County, during Oregon Public Health Week, the Center for Human Development will sponsor a photo exhibit and reception for all Union County entries. To participate in teh Union County event, youth will need to email a jpg copy of their entry to dmansveld@chdinc.org. For additional information, please contact DeAnne Mansveld at 541-962-8822.

 

To celebrate reading and also Dr. Seuss's birthday, Greenwood Elementary students are working toward a goal of $1,000.00 for their library. If the students gather enough donations, their reward is a concert by some of their teachers and their principal, Mr. Gregory. As part of the March 11th festivities, staff and students will Drop Everything And Read to recognize DEAR Day. Ms. Ellen Lester, the media specialist at Greenwood, has arranged the reading program.