Spring is a season of fresh starts – and in Tualatin, it’s also a reminder that some of our most important work happens quietly, in community centers, school hallways, and family conversations. This month, I want to shine a spotlight on one of our city’s most dedicated local organizations: Tualatin Together.
For years, Tualatin Together has been on the front lines of youth substance misuse prevention, mental health awareness, and community connection. Their work doesn’t make headlines every day, but it makes a difference every day. Through school-based programs, parent education workshops, and youth leadership opportunities, they help young people in our community navigate the pressures and challenges that, left unaddressed, can lead to lasting harm.
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is observed in March to link people to the facts that shatter the myths about drug abuse— a time set aside nationally to open honest, science-based conversations about the realities of substance use, especially among young people. It’s a week worth observing, but the truth is that Tualatin Together doesn’t need a designated week to do this work. They do it year-round, and they do it well.
What makes Tualatin Together so effective is that their approach is rooted here — in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our values. They understand that prevention isn’t about a single lecture or a poster on a wall. It’s about building resilience, fostering belonging, and making sure every young person in Tualatin has a trusted adult and a safe place to turn.
But they cannot do this alone. Tualatin Together depends on volunteers, donors, and community partners to carry out their mission. Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, a faith leader, or a neighbor who simply cares, there is a role for you.
I encourage every resident to take a moment this month to learn more about Tualatin Together — visit their website (tualatintogether.org), attend one of their events, or consider making a contribution. The investment you make in this organization is an investment in the young people who will one day lead this city.
Tualatin is a place where we look out for one another. Programs like Tualatin Together are proof of that. Let’s make sure they know we have their back.
