How can so many fun, free, things be packed into one day?
Free lunch, haircuts and manicures, family pictures, art and other children’s activities, a bike rodeo, yoga and cooking classes.
All are part of the Youth & Family Wellness Fair, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 at Evergreen Middle School in Everett.
It’s a day where teens and parents can hear from specialists on topics such as how to cope with anxiety, understanding trauma and finding resiliency, how to help when a child loses a loved one, how to respond when a child is using drugs, and immigration and family rights.
Some 75 community agencies will be on hand to provide information and resources to youth and families.
The goal is for kids and families to learn what’s available in the community to support them, said Liza Patchen-Short, Children’s mental health liaison for Snohomish County.
Jennifer Hudson, a mental health counselor in the Lake Stevens School District, will lead a session on teen suicide awareness.
A session on suicide prevention will be led by Justine McClure, area director for the American Federation for Suicide Prevention.
A workshop on screen time and maximizing learning will be led by Kari Pendray of the Snohomish County ECEAP program.
Immigration attorney Terry Preshaw will lead a session for families on how to create a plan in case they come under investigation by immigration authorities, Patchen-Short said.
A session on growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual, transitioning or queer will be presented by GLOBE Snohomish County.
Tim Noah, who won a Parent’s Choice Award for his record “In Search of the Wow Wow Wibble Woggle Wazzie Woodle Woo!” is scheduled to sing for an hour beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Isaac Petersen, the son of Snohomish County’s well-known Reptile Man, Scott Petersen, is scheduled to have a presentation beginning at 1 p.m. on reptiles and their importance in the balance of nature.
With the variety of activities for kid and families, “it’s just a fun-filled day that they’ll have long-lasting memories of and be able to gain skills and knowledge,” Patchen-Short said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
If you go
What: Youth and Family Wellness Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5
Where: Evergreen Middle School, 7621 Beverly Lane, Everett G
Get there: Free transportation to the event provided by Everett Transit
All activities at the Youth and Family Wellness Fair are free. They include:
• Panel discussions on topics such as how to handle temper tantrums and bullying, suicide signs and prevention, immigrant rights and growing up LGBQ.
• A dental van providing screens and exams,;
• A performance by Emmy award winning songwriter and producer Tim Noah.
More info: snohomishcountywa.gov/3608/Youth-Family-Wellness-Fair
Volunteers needed
United Way needs a total of 110 volunteers on the day of the event to help with registration, welcome tables, workshop assistants, food servers, security and as a basketball referee. Help with event setup also is needed from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 4.
Volunteers may register online at: getconnected.uwsc.org/aem/general/event/?doc_id=4723, by calling 425-374-5553 or emailing brooke.smith@uwsc.org.
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