[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE UPVALLEY FAMILY CENTERS OF NAPA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
The UpValley Family Centers of Napa County for 20 years of exceptional 
public service.
  Since 1999, UpValley Family Centers has been the primary trusted 
resource for low-income and vulnerable households in Napa County. By 
partnering with different organizations in our community, it has built 
an impressive infrastructure of over 40 regional agencies that work 
together to provide access to a variety of services in our community. 
Such services include education and mentorship initiatives, immigration 
assistance, tax preparation, substance-use prevention programs, and 
case management services.
  Since 2005, the Family Centers have participated in the Internal 
Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, making free 
tax-preparation assistance available for Napa residents. To date, their 
VITA program has brought more than $5 million in state and federal 
refunds back to our community. The UpValley Family Centers also 
provides licensed staff able to give immigration assistance to non-
citizen residents, including naturalization assistance and permanent 
residence renewals. UpValley Centers have become an irreplaceable 
resource to our community and today, it serves thousands of individuals 
across Napa's region.
  UpValley Family Center's commitment to serving our community is truly 
remarkable. In addition to running programs that help working families 
build economic stability, UpValley Resource Centers provides life-
saving disaster response and recovery services. These services include 
updating state fire resources like CalFire, helping people apply for 
disaster unemployment assistance, and bilingual information about 
disaster assistance available to all community members.
  Madam Speaker, the UpValley Family Centers of Napa County is a 
dedicated source of support for northern Napa that has made great 
contributions to better our community. It is therefore fitting and 
proper that we honor this organization here today.

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