Dear Friends of Upriver Youth Leadership Council,

As another year draws to a close, I am reminded of the spirit of generosity demonstrated by all of you in so many ways. With the foundational support you have shown for the Upriver Youth Leadership Council by repeatedly donating your time and possessions, it is possible to administer the number of quality events and activities our organization has offered to our community and youth. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership we have created.

I look forward to continuing our work together as we strive to help build and sustain a healthy community and empower our youth to be prevention leaders.

Funding from approved grants exceeded $1.75 million in 2022! Grant awards come with long lists of responsibilities and commitments, and you all generously stepped up to assist in so many ways. Thank you again for your time and offerings to ensure our grant projects thrive. As a result of UYLC grant funding and your efforts, past and present, an impressive list of programs has become a reality or will be in operation soon.

• K-6 After-School Program provides programming for 30-plus students daily.
• New Kooskia Teen Center opened its doors in April.
• Free telemental health services for all Kamiah and Kooskia youth and their families are available.
• Expanded Community Garden with a functioning greenhouse, water, and electricity.
• Kitchen Addition to Kamiah Teen Center with Public Health Food License.
• Hot meals and snacks are served to 50-plus students seven days a week. 
• K-12 Drug Refusal Curriculum for Kamiah and Clearwater Valley Schools.
• Skate Park Construction began with an anticipated March opening date.
• Parenting Classes are offered regularly.
• The Recovery Support Service Program operates daily.
• Family Resource Referrals and Coordination.
• Expanded Kamiah Teen Center Programming.
• An updated website, please visit Upriveryouth.org

The Kamiah and Kooskia Teen Centers and the K-6 Afterschool Program are hubs for various UYLC activities and provide a central location for youth and support providers to gather and create. The centers are open seven days a week and offer a safe, healthy environment for youth to drop by and engage with their peers and adult role models. A hot meal is served every evening, with an average of 50-60 kids in attendance each night across programs. In addition to enjoying a meal and supervised casual interactions with others, youth can also participate in basic life skills activities, such as cooking, sewing, healthy eating, and refusal skills at the Teen Center. Mentoring, tutoring, homework assistance, and arts and crafts activities are also offered regularly. Field trips and physical education excursions originate at the Teen Center and are organized by Teen Center staff.

We invite you to visit any of our centers and thank you for your continued support. Please remember us for any end-of-year giving needs you might have. We have a variety of ways you can contribute. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me for details.

Here's wishing you all a safe and healthy New Year. I look forward to strengthening our partnerships and pursuing meaningful, new projects for our youth and community.

Sincerely,

Sharlene Johnson

Upriver Youth Leadership Council