Change the future. Invest in our kids.

 

 
 

Board Member Spotlight

 

 
 

Portrait of Vincent Blanco
This month, we are introducing our newest board member, Vincent Blanco, J.D.

Vincent graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science to gain an understanding of politics and governments and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology to comprehend the development, structure, and functioning of human social relationships. After graduating from SDSU, Vincent attended Loyola University of Chicago School of Law where he successfully earned his Juris Doctorate Law Degree. There he focused and sharpened his skills in Labor Law, Business Law and Negotiations.

Vincent has worked in the capacity of a Labor Representative for the Teamsters Union in Chicago where he represented the private soft drink industry workers of Pepsi Americas and Coca Cola Refreshments, as the Labor Representative for AFSCME San Diego where he represented the city workers of San Diego, and is currently the Labor Relations Specialist for AFT Local 2277 and 3922 for Portland Community College, representing both the Faculty & Academic Professionals and Classified workers at all campuses.

As a Labor Representative, Vincent acquired experience in private and public-sector unionism, collective bargaining, agency shop, dispute resolution, political affairs, restructuring organizations, drafting bylaws, grievances, conducting administrative hearings and arbitration.

Vincent is a fighter for racial and economic equality and women’s rights.  He is an advocate for universal healthcare for all and served as a Board Member for Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO).

Welcome, Vincent!

 

 

 
 

Afterschool is Cool!

 

 
 

We are happy to announce that we will be holding our second annual “Afterschool is Cool” poster contest!  The poster contest is open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are participating in an afterschool program in Washington County. The purpose of the contest is to invite youth participating in these afterschool programs to creatively share what they like best about their afterschool program.

Judges for the contest Include Washington County Commissioner Jerry Willey and local well-known artists, Linda Holland and Ed Labadie.

Registration forms and posters must be turned in to the participants’ afterschool program by Thursday, January 26, 2023, to be considered for judging. Judging will be based on the expression of the theme, “What I like best about my afterschool program.” Art work will be displayed during the Afterschool is Cool! showcase that will be held at the Shute Park Library in Hillsboro on February 7th from 6pm-8pm. Winners will be announced during the event at 7:30 pm. Winners will be considered in two categories, Elementary & Middle/High School and will receive gift card prizes. In addition, winning posters will be displayed on Tri-Met buses and bus benches!

Poster Contest Rules and Registration/Permission form.

For more information visit WashingtonCountyKids.org or email info@washintoncountykids.org

Photo of Nathan Bedrossian, 2021 poster contest winner, sitting on a bus bench with his dog. The bus bench is displaying his poster.
2022 winner Nathan Bedrossian (and furry friend) sitting in front of his poster.

 

 
 

Mark Your Calendar

 

 
 

Board and Steering Committee meeting:

 

 
 

1/23 @ 6:30 pm
Check website for details

 

 

 
 

Support WCK

 

 

 
 

Volunteer with WCK!
Interested in lending your skills to support our mission? We could use assistance in any of the following areas:
–Writer: Help us share stories about people, programs, and the need for out-of-school time programs
–Graphic arts
–Technical support for events

 

Email to discuss details.

 

 

 
 

 

 
Donate to WCK
 

VISIT OUR SHOP!

Show your support with our growing collection of branded products.

Quote Totes! 
Meaningful quotes that remind us why WCK exists. We chose this favorite to use on our first quote tote:

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
–Benjamin Franklin 

 

 


 

Art Totes!
Two to choose from, artwork images provided by Katie Riley!

 

 




 
 

Other ways to support WCK

 

 

 
 

Fred Meyer Rewards:  Visit this website to link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to WCK account #EG761. You receive the same rewards as usual and Fred Meyer makes a small donation to WCK.

Benevity: Give through your company!

 

 
 

Shop AND donate! Click HERE to sign up for AmazonSmile and select WCK as your preferred charity. They will donate to WCK at no cost to you.

 

 

 

 

Summer Grant exceeded expectations!

 

 
 

Back in June when we received the grant from Oregon Association of Education Service Districts’ (OAESD), we were excited that 170 kids were going to receive scholarships for summer care. However, by the end of the summer the actual number of kids served was 436! Kids from Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Sherwood were able to participate in programs through Champions, a well-respected before and after school program that is already serving kids in those districts in Washington County. Of the kids who participated, 95% qualified for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program and 58% came from diverse backgrounds. The 10 week program featured arts and crafts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities, environmental education, sports, summer academics, civics, and service learning. They also received mentoring and support for social emotional learning. A parent of a boy reported, “My son has attended Champions over the last few summers and he loves it. He looks forward to it every year. The staff is amazing and they go above and beyond to make sure everyday is something new for the kids. The spirit weeks, theme’s and crafts are always well thought out and tons of fun! There is nowhere else he would rather be during summer then at Champions.” Field trips were a highlight of the students’ experiences. As one parent of a boy (7 yrs) and a girl (5 yrs) stated, “Getting outside helps break up the traditional “learning in a classroom setting” and allows our kids to learn, interact, and be exposed to new things and places which they may not have had the opportunity prior. My son’s favorite trip was to the Oregon zoo. My daughter favorite trip was to the local Sherwood library and playing outside at all the parks!” We are really happy to have been part of this successful learning experience for so many kids!

 

 

 
 

Generosity

 

 
 

We want to thank the Autzen Foundation for their generous grant of $5,000 and OnPoint Community Credit Union for their donation of $2,500 this month.

We also thank YOU for your generosity and support during this past year and encourage you to consider making a gift this holiday season.  Giving Tuesday on November 29th or before the end of December is an excellent time to make a donation.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Do you have news you’d like us to share?

 

 
 

If you are a part of our OST provider network and/or have been invited to submit a story or item of interest to Washington County families, teachers, or care providers, email your content before 5 pm on the 3rd Friday of the month (up to 400 words for stories, 75 words for events or other special requests; include cropped jpg or png image). Submission is not a guarantee of inclusion. Include name and email of person we can contact with questions.

Newsletter Editor: Michael Coiner