$1.4 million equals the combined annual full-time minimum-wage earnings of 42 people who could join the workforce if they had access to affordable childcare.
by Emily Harris and Documenter Amy Spring of Uplift Local The Gorge | Jul 22, 2025 | Klickitat County Film still courtesy Washington Gorge Action Programs and Laughing Deva Productions.
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Read MoreIt is the end of an era for Second Hand Rose, the community thrift store in Bingen operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). The store, which was already undergoing a remodel to downsize, has officially received notice from the WAGAP Board of Directors, which voted unanimously in June to permanently close the space.
Read MoreAniChe Cellars is hosting the 2025 Food For All fundraiser in support of the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Food Bank Network, which serves Skamania and Klickitat counties. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, the event will be held at the winery in Underwood.
Read MoreWAGAP has connected with the Weatherization Assistance Program through the Northwest Community Action Center (NCAC), a division of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, to help households improve energy efficiency.
Read MoreMembers involved in a volunteer group of service providers called the Gorge Health Equity Collaborative have written this letter to help explain what cuts to Medicaid in Oregon and Washington may mean to us.
Read MoreCurt Gray is ending his working career on a high note, after stepping down this month from his role as the Skamania County Housing Department Coordinator for Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).
Read MoreNearly 40 percent of residents in Klickitat and Skamania counties are served by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). While poverty has been on the decline since 2015, rates are still higher than the rest of the state, and gaps in income inequality are increasing.
Read MoreMay is Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to breaking stigma, encouraging open conversations, and ensuring people know where to turn for help. In rural communities, access to mental health services can be limited. 988, the nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline hotline can help.
Read MoreJoin other Klickitat County business professionals for our special forum on Workforce Childcare Needs! Wednesday, May 7th, 8:30-11:30am at the Lyle Activity Center, Lyle, Washington.
Coffee & Breakfast Buffet provided!
In the second annual Health & Wellness Family Fair being held at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon on May 16 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Skyline Health has expanded offerings to families to include more local health and wellness businesses and summer activities for youth.
Read MoreAn anonymous local donor has offered up to $15,000 for others to match to support the work of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) in Skamania and Klickitat counties. The offer is open through April and can support any of the agencies’ programs.
Read MoreDuring routine outreach for the Energy Assistance Program at local In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites along the north side of the Columbia River this fall, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) staff confirmed there was a need to assist Native families that are not connected to traditional heating sources.
Read MoreOur Klickitat Prevention Coalition is on a mission with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help communities prevent suicides. In a joint effort, the two organizations are pairing up with prevention programs, schools, and community groups to offer Suicide Prevention Training from March through May.
Read MoreWashington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) has launched a comprehensive new initiative offering support and resources to strengthen communication, collaboration, and connections within the community.
Its new Community Connections program is kicking off by offering interpreter best practices training, an interpreter headset rental program, and immigration resources.
Read MoreEffective February 22, 2025, Second Hand Rose WAGAP’s community thrift store will close for renovations. The reopening date is undetermined, but staff is hopeful the renovations will cause minimal disruptions.
Read MoreKlickitat County Childcare Committee (KCCC) is conducting a short survey for local employers and businesses to determine if the lack of childcare affects business operations and profitability in rural Klickitat County.
Read MoreLast September, she helped WAGAP start a free Zumba class on Fridays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. View Grange in White Salmon and hoped people would come. The first night, WAGAP offered a $10 gift card promotion. What started with six people at that original session has grown to 16 regular weekly participants and occasionally is as high as 20.
Read MoreWe are excited to announce the relocation of the Washington Gorge Action Programs Community Youth Center to a new space at Rheingarten Park connected to the White Salmon Valley School District Office. This is often called the “Park Building” and is located at 170 NW Washington St. in White Salmon.
Read MoreWashington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is adjusting routes for its Mobile Food Bank to work within its budget for 2025. As a result, stops in Mill A and Lyle will be ending soon.
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