Hello Everyone!

Get on our email list if you are receiving this in your mail! This newsletter goes out initially as an email, then mailed to people whom we don’t have an email address for. Please help us reduce the amount of paper we use by signing up for our email list. Please send an email to Sue Graup at suegfamilies@myfairpoint.net or call at 464-9633 to be added. If you don’t have an email, please be sure to recycle! Thanks!

Please note: All questions concerning Peer Group can be directed to Natasha Kussius at 802-681-5669 or by email at Natasha@familiesfirstvt.com (please note new email address!)

Families First has a website! http://www.familiesfirstvt.com/

We try and keep the schedule updated on the website, and many forms for both staff and home provider can found and downloaded here. Please check it out……often!

July will be a quite month in terms of community-based activities. Standing Committee made this decision so folks who are on vacation didn’t miss too much action!

Wild Hopes Farm - The gardens are planted, and things are popping up from the ground. Stay tuned for more on the next chapter of Families First history! It’s our own farm arts program. If you haven’t visited Wild Hopes, please do so!

Kids Art Class every Wed 3:30 – 5PM with Janice at Wilmington office - Open to 6-18 year olds, meet weekly to work on different art projects. Supplies provided.

GAME TIME with Murph and AC at 2PM every Monday. Come to the FF Bratt office for an organized game afternoon. Got a favorite? Bring it with you! This group is open to all, and will meet every Friday afternoon.

Book Club Every Thursday at 1PM Come join our group of happy readers! Books will be chosen by the group. First book is Twilight. If you’d like to join, but don’t have a copy of the book, that’s OK! We have a copy of the book at 26 you may borrow (please call ahead to arrange). We also have an audio version if you just want to come and listen to the story, all are welcome.

ART CLASS with Sam! Friday’s at 1:00- 2:30PM At 26, an ongoing art class for the artistically inclined, or those just interested in learning something new, and having some fun. Open to all.

New! Cooking Class with Jayinee and LB – the last Friday of each month 1-2:30PM, at 26. Hone those culinary skills! Eat like kings and queens! Impress your friends with your kitchen skills.

Summer Wilderness Experience for Kids July 12-15 At Lake Sadawga. Peak Adventures Summer camp for kids. Canoeing, fishing, outdoor education and skill building, swimming, overnight stay, etc. Open to all and free of charge. Participants must have an accompanying staff person and registration is required. Please call Joshua Kussius at the Brattleboro office. The last day of this camp is the Fish and Float.

3rd Annual Fish and Float on the Connecticut River July 15

Meet at 26 at 9AM. We’ll set sail on canoe’s from the Ferry Rd (Brattleboro) boat launch and paddle to Brattleboro. This is an all-day event. STAFF IS REQUIRED for participating individuals. Please bring appropriate clothes that can wet and dry fast, a suit if you’d like to swim, a pole for fishing and a license if you’re 16 or older. Also bring a bag lunch, sunscreen, sun hat, and water shoes or old sneakers. This event is open to all, but please sign up in advance so we can have the correct number of canoes, paddles, and life vests available. Open to all.

Families First 15th Anniversary Party! July 29 3-6PM at Wild Hopes Farm, South Newfane. Come celebrate and recognize those who make FF all that it is! That probably means you! This will be one for the history books you can’t miss! BBQ, live music, friends and family. An invitation has been created by our own JB, keep your eyes open for it!

Day at Hampton Beach 8/16 – Rain date 8/18

Meet at Price Chopper at 8AM – A great day of ocean action! Please bring swimsuits, change of clothes, sunscreen, sun hat, lunch, beach towel, spending money, etc. All participants must have accompanying staff.

Peer Group - Peer Group is changing its name! We are now Advocates for Life Long Learning (ALLL) . It’s ALLL good!

ALLL group now meets twice a week. Every Tues from 1-3PM in Brattleboro, and every Wednesday from 1-3PM in Wilmington and surrounding towns. Folks are welcome to attend both groups, and each group has something different going on from the other.

For ALLL Group scheduling, concerns and questions, please direct all inquiries to our ALLL Group and Program Coordinator Natasha Kussius at 802-681-5669 or by email at Natasha@familiesfirstvt.com

ALLL Group meets from 1-3PM, although please note different meeting times for some community outings.

A reminder to PARENTS of transitionally aged folks that if your son or daughter is 18 or older, we would love to have them join us for our weekly peer group on Tuesday’s from 1-3PM, as well as other adult-oriented activities. Have your child get acquainted with our other young adults and staff.

7/5 AC Birthday Bash!

7/12 No group today

7/19 Swimming at Spofford Lake

7/26 TBA

8/2 ER Bowling Bday B