HomeMy WebLinkAbout010826 - Winter Empowered Teens Coalition Newsletter 🥶🌨️☔ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Happy New Year! Coalition and community news, event updates, and more!
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Winter 2025 Newsletter
Contents:
* Happy New Year! A letter of warmest appreciation from your Port Townsend coalition coordinator, Kara Billinger-Hessom
* Meet Corie Lowden, the new Port Townsend Student Assistance Professional!
* Winter Programming Roundup- Juvenile Services Outreach, QB Holiday Craft Fair outreach, Dungeons & Dragons, Guiding Good Choices, Q&A at Blue Heron Middle School, and more!
* Coalition News- New coordinator incoming, FREE January ACEs, Trauma, and Toxic Stress Training from the Center for Child Counseling (1.5 CEUs)
* Upcoming Spring Events and Trainings
Dear Empowered Teens Coalition Members,
Let’s be honest- for many of us, particularly those of us working in the nonprofit and government space, 2025 was a difficult and discouraging year. I am certain that I don’t need to
collectively bum us out with a lengthy reflection on all the negative things that have happened recently. In fact, here’s a picture of a mini donkey prancing through a meadow to get
our minds off of it:
<https://i.pinimg.com/736x/23/db/3b/23db3b46303a15b39e9ebf13df788732.jpg>
Yet, one thing it did impress upon me is the increasing importance of building and strengthening our local community. More than ever, we need to be able to be able to lean on each other
to meet our needs, to give what we can of our time, energy, and other resources, and to be unafraid to ask for help when we need it. Our little Jefferson County community may be small,
but it punches above its weight in kindness, generosity, compassion, and a willingness to stand in support of those who most need our help right now.
In light of this, I wanted to extend a big heartfelt red balloon of gratitude to every single one of you for being a part of our coalitions, and for helping to build that community right
here. Together we have made tremendous progress towards strengthening Jefferson County families and helping keep kids safe, healthy, and active. I hope you will all stay by our side
in weathering any upcoming storms, and continue to guide our efforts throughout the county throughout 2026.
Happy New Year, and thank you for being you!
Kara Billinger-Hessom
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<https://mcusercontent.com/3961206950e6df0e4b4689479/images/b755a307-46d6-8422-9801-bc75675a04a1.jpg>
Hello everyone,
I’m Corie, the Student Assistance Professional serving Port Townsend High School and OCEAN (grades 9-12). In this role, I partner with students to support their mental health, including
substance-use concerns, and to help strengthen their overall social and emotional well-being through groups and one on one support.
A little about me: I moved to Port Townsend from Victoria, BC in 2024, and now call this community home with my husband and our German Shepherd, River. In my downtime, I love exploring
the Peninsula, hiking, trail running, and checking out the many great thrift spots around town.
I can be reached by email: clowden@oesd114.org <mailto:clowden@oesd114.org> . I’m looking forward to connecting and collaborating with you in support of the young people we serve.
Corie
Winter Programming Roundup
* Juvenile Services Outreach
* On November 15th, Kara and Mackenzie presented on refusal skills at the Juvenile Services Coordination of Services event. Dum-dums were shared, as was plenty of prevention knowledge
for the 18 teens and parents in attendance.
* Quilcene Brinnon ETC Holiday Craft Fair outreach
* Mackenzie held an outreach event at the Holiday Craft Fair, inviting youth to mindfully create beaded bracelets, necklaces, and lanyards while they learn more about staying healthy
and connected.
* <https://mcusercontent.com/3961206950e6df0e4b4689479/images/1df3db92-5752-a492-30c6-20e0923b40b9.jpg>
* Dungeons & Dragons
* Mackenzie is currently holding a Dungeons and Dragons session in South County!
* <https://mcusercontent.com/3961206950e6df0e4b4689479/images/e19dd470-4b08-5f59-878b-1f51c163807f.png>
* Guiding Good Choices
* QBETC and 4-H have partnered to lead a Guiding Good Choices session in South County at Brinnon School! Sessions are currently in progress, offering dinner, gift card incentives, and
child care.
* <https://mcusercontent.com/3961206950e6df0e4b4689479/images/8fd4e36a-5a6f-2385-e308-f972d73fce1e.png>
* Q&A at Blue Heron Middle School
* Kara led a Q&A session about prevention to curious (and very lively) middle schoolers at Blue Heron Middle School on December 12th.
* Supporting Santa & the Foster Supports of Jefferson County
* Kara and Mackenzie greased the sleigh tracks and helped feed the reindeer as Santa came to visit nearly 100 foster family members at the Foster Supports of Jefferson County Christmas
event on December 13th.
* <https://mcusercontent.com/3961206950e6df0e4b4689479/images/0044ab81-4be3-61a4-e3ab-9417f18bf6a1.jpeg>
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Coalition News
* Hiring Freeze Temporarily Thawed for New Coalition Coordinator!
* With the departure of Holly Gumm, the Chimacum Empowered Teens Coalition Coordinator position has been vacant since October 2025. The filling of this position was delayed until now
by the Jefferson County hiring freeze in effect. Happily, we have obtained an exemption from our County Administrator, and will be hiring our new coordinator soon. More details to come!
* FREE January ACEs, Trauma, and Toxic Stress Training from the Center for Child Counseling (1.5 CEUs)
* Attend this free training TOMORROW, January 9th, from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM! 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available upon request.
Click Me to Register for Tomorrow’s Free Training! <https://google.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3961206950e6df0e4b4689479&id=ab4abd21b3&e=dd981f24d2>
Upcoming Events and Trainings
* January 15th 11:00-12:00 How to Become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor
* Register here <https://google.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3961206950e6df0e4b4689479&id=37b71f17eb&e=dd981f24d2>
* February 13th 8:00 -9:00 AM Public Health Authority: Sovereignty in Action
* Register here <https://google.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3961206950e6df0e4b4689479&id=8df7609275&e=dd981f24d2>
* March 12th 6:00 - 8:00 PM Hidden in Plain Site: How to Recognize Current Trends and Common Warning Signs of Youth Use
* Registration not required, join here <https://google.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3961206950e6df0e4b4689479&id=ddd055da36&e=dd981f24d2>
* March 27, 28, 29 Jefferson County Connectivity Summit
* In person at Fort Worden, more details to come
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<mailto:kbillinger-hessom@co.jefferson.wa.us>
View email in browser <https://mailchi.mp/691b3e34d570/2025-spring-empowered-teens-coalition-newsletter-49694?e=dd981f24d2>
Empowered Teens Coalition · 615 Sheridan St · Port Townsend, WA 98368-2439 · USA
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