[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 176 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING UPVALLEY FAMILY CENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 29, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
UpValley Family Centers for their 25th anniversary and outstanding 
service in promoting equity and access to social resources throughout 
Napa County.
  Since its founding in 1999, UpValley Family Centers have supported 
working families in the greater Calistoga and St. Helena area, offering 
prevention and intervention services at a local level. They serve over 
4,000 people annually. Last year, ninety-four percent of those served 
fell below the median income for Napa County. Sixty percent were women, 
and fifty-six percent were Spanish speakers. The family center itself 
provides a variety of programs from assisting residents with accessing 
health insurance and housing resources to playgroups and family 
support. UpValley also collaborates with over 40 partner organizations 
to help engage residents and increase access to services locally.
  Over their 25 years of service, UpValley Family Centers' programs 
have made significant long-term impacts. As a Department of Justice 
recognized organization, UpValley has helped over 2,000 people become 
U.S. citizens in tandem with the Napa Citizenship Legal Services. They 
have increased early literacy, socialization and school readiness 
skills in over 1,000 young children through weekly bilingual 
playgroups. Children participating in their youth mentoring services 
are more likely to meet requirements needed to attend a 4-year college. 
Thousands of low-income households have benefitted from their free VITA 
tax filing program, accessing over $11 million in tax credits and 
refunds. They distributed over $2.1 million in emergency funds stemming 
from the pandemic and LNU Complex wildfire-related hardships, which 
reached over 800 households.
  UpValley Family Centers also participates in broader civic 
initiatives throughout Napa County. As part of the Drug-Free 
Communities Initiative, they partnered with local officials and helped 
pass social host ordinances in Calistoga and St. Helena. And in 2020, 
they served as trusted messengers alongside other Napa County-based 
community organizations to increase participation in the 2020 Census. 
Napa County saw a 2 percent increase in census participation as a 
result of their efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank UpValley Family Centers for their dedicated 
service to our Napa County community. Therefore, it is fitting and 
proper that we honor them here today.

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