About La Center United
Who We Are
La Center United is a community coalition made up of individuals, businesses, and agencies who all share a vision for a healthy and resilient community. We believe in the power of positive community change when we all work together.
The coalition formed as a grassroots effort by concerned citizens in 2013. In 2014, La Center United incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and in 2015 we were awarded a federal Drug Free Communities Support Program grant for $125,000 a year for five years. With this funding, we are working to increase community collaboration and reduce substance use and mental health issues facing today’s youth.
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
Our History
2013
The coalition formed as a grassroots effort by concerned citizens in the spring of 2013 in response to multiple mental health crisis occurring amongst youth in our community. In the fall of 2013, a Drug Free Community Mentoring grant was awarded to PREVENT Coalition with the La Center community as the designated mentee.
2014
In 2014, the coalition completed a branding process and officially became known as La Center United. In addition, they completed the process to become a non-profit 501(c)(3). The coalition also recruited more than 40 students to attend the “Teens Care 2” Youth Summit. At 40 students, La Center had the most youth represented despite being the second smallest school district in attendance. This forum helped our students learn leadership skills and prevention ideas to share with their school.
2015
La Center United was awarded the Drug Free Communities grant (DFC) in 2015. This marked the beginning of capacity building for substance abuse prevention within the La Center community. Jennifer Kirby became the first Coalition Coordinator supporting coalition volunteers to implement the Strategic Prevention Framework.
2016
In 2016, La Center United focused on gathering data and learning more about the community. The Healthy Youth Survey was implemented into the school and the Community Survey was given out to members of the community. With this information we were able to evaluate our efforts and refocus on our mission.
2017
Coalition members attended events and workshops to help establish themselves within the community. These events include: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk, La Center Our Days, National Night Out, Summer Coalition Leadership Institute, and Drug Take Back Events.
2018
The New Year brought new opportunities for youth in our community. La Center United opened a “Teen Center” in February of 2018. This center is meant to serve as a safe place for teens to come after school to just hang out and be themselves. During the year, La Center United also underwent changes and started working with ESD 112 has their fiscal agent. This brought a new staff member to the team. Angela Johnson was hired as a full time Project Coordinator.
Executive Board
Betsy Hoppe
Chair/Interim Treasurer
Betsy is a Metallurgical Engineer and works at Steelscape in Kalama, Washington. She works primarily in steel manufacturing and quality systems management and has done this for almost 30 years.
Betsy joined La Center United in 2013 and became a board member..
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Betsy is a Metallurgical Engineer and works at Steelscape in Kalama, Washington. She works primarily in steel manufacturing and quality systems management and has done this for almost 30 years.
Betsy joined La Center United in 2013 and became a board member in 2015. She remembers coming to one of the original coalition meetings shortly following a local suicide attempt. She wanted to learn more and be a part of the solution in our little town of La Center.
She really liked the idea of learning, participating, and sharing of information to help us all be informed and enabled to act where needed.
Open
Vice Chair
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Karen Steward
Secretary
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e place for her kids to grow up.
Open
Communications
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Alex Girard
Community Member 1
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Susan Shufeldt
Community Member 2
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Executive Board Open Positions
We are currently recruiting for Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Communication positions. To get more information and be considered, contact lacenterunited@gmail.com.
Connection is the Best Prevention
Our Partners
Top Dog Grooming
