FEBRUARY 2025
Upcoming Events
TUESDAY FEB 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Enjoy an encore presentation of Social Media and Your Kid! There is so much value in this presentation, please try to make it and tell your friends about it too! Learn more and register here.
THURSDAY FEB 6, 6:30 p.m. WHEN Family Game Night with free Candy Bar BINGO at Plank North. Volunteer here. Register here.
WEDNESDAY FEB 12, noon. Monthly Coalition Meeting at our new venue: Webster Chamber of Commerce - 1110 Crosspointe Ln. Suite C, Webster, NY 14580. Register here to join us online or in-person.
SAVE THE DATE: The spring DEA National Drug Take Back Day will be Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. in front of the Webster Justice Court.
Webster Headlines
Wishing very happy February birthdays to WHEN members:
Chris B., Jennifer S., Shannon F., Katie W., Victoria B., and Kate L.
Check out our updated Protective Factors webpage, which we use as a landing page for several of our community programs and initiatives. We are always looking to make information easier to consume, so please feel free to email any suggestions to Jen.
WHEN recently donated a few copies of Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, to the Webster Public Library, where they are available for patrons to check out. We have also provided free bookmarks promoting protective factors which library patrons can pick up at the front desk. WHEN is thankful for the partnership we have with the library, making these and so many other initiatives possible!
WHEN & Webster Central School District’s event, From Worries to Wellness, took place January 21. We are very proud of the quality and depth of information presented, as well as the “World Cafe” format that allowed parents and guardians to discuss issues and share solutions and ideas that have worked for them. Providing this opportunity for parents to learn from each other is part of WHEN’s initiative to strengthen our sense of community, which can be lost in our increasingly busy and automated world. Resources shared at the event can be found here. We hope to make a recording of the presentations available on our website soon.
WHEN & Webster Central PTSA’s Family Game Nights continue to draw large crowds, providing a free night of family fun and community. We have two more scheduled at Plank North and Plank South this school year. Below we have shared some photos from a few of these lively events. It’s also been gratifying that so many parents who attend complete our survey, and many join WHEN as new members. It has proven to be a great way to engage with our community!
Lead with Kindness
“Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that promote the health and well-being of children and families.” - ChildWelfare.gov
By WHEN member, Judi Swanson, LCSW~R
Eric Hoffer said, “We are made kind by being kind.” Being kind and doing an act of kindness is many things. Smiling at a stranger, holding the door open for the person behind you, letting a car go in front of you, donating clothing and food, volunteering, making a meal for someone, and shoveling (or snowblowing) your neighbor’s driveway are some of the many actions embedded with kindness. When you say please, thank you, compliment someone, and show appreciation, you are being kind.
“A lot of people need someone to show them some love and kindness. Be that someone for others.” - Karen Salmansohn
Kindness is a powerhouse of positivity. When anyone is kind, witnesses an act of kindness or hears about an act of kindness there are benefits. Brains get a boost of happiness, immune systems become stronger, and relationships become more solid. While individuals are mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically benefitting from kindness, communities and the world become all the better too.
“You can never know the ripple effect you create with one tiny gesture of kindness.” - Elle Sommer
Every single day is a day to be kind. February 14-20 is Random Act of Kindness week to celebrate how each one of us can be a ripple of kindness for each other. When we lead with kindness in our actions in the Webster community, our acts of kindness help the community and beyond become more compassionate and loving for everyone, creating a stronger and healthier Webster community and world.
Spotlight
We'd like to thank Joe Montemaro, Director of Educational Technology and Information at Webster Central Schools, for his integral contributions to our Navigating the Tween Years events, Social Media & Your Kid and From Worries to Wellness. Partnering with Joe and the WCSD has enriched these events and provided expertise and insights that are so beneficial to parents and guardians as they help their children Navigate the Tween Years.
Upcoming Meetings
Next Coalition meeting:
February 12 at noon.
NOTE NEW LOCATION: Webster Chamber of Commerce at 1110 Crosspointe Ln. Suite C, Webster, NY 14580. Click here for in-person and online details and to register.
We meet in person AND online via Google Meet the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Many of us join during our lunch break. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. In fact, our goal is to have representation from all walks of life, to better meet the needs of the whole community.
Read January's Coalition Meeting Minutes.
Reminders
It doesn't take a lot of money or even a lot of time to show someone a bit of kindness. Here are a few simple, quick ideas to get the ball rolling: write a heartfelt note, smile and make eye contact, offer a genuine compliment, hold the door open, share a positive post on social media, be a good listener, help someone with a task, give away something you no longer need.