With severe weather hitting the region, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, WAGAP, and partners are ensuring our most vulnerable community members can access shelters, emergency lodging, and street outreach resources.

Photo by Mihaly Koles on Unsplash

As a child growing up in Mexico, one of Alicia Ramirez’s dreams was simply to be able to graduate from high school.

When starting any new childcare business, individuals may feel overwhelmed by regulatory hurdles and the cost of startup expenses. Klickitat County Childcare Committee can help connect people with local resources to make it possible to open an at-home business.

The new Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC) will present to city councils and county commissions as it shares its vision.

The call for donors is starting early this year to meet the demand for the Tree of Joy holiday gift project in Klickitat and Skamania counties.

“Group Health Foundation is working to transform the balance of power to ensure equity and racial justice in Washington and beyond,” said Bruce Bolme, President of the WAGAP Board of Directors. “As a Community Action Agency with roots in the Civil Rights Movement, WAGAP’s mission and goals align well with that work.”

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Local Klickitat County substance misuse prevention coalitions join the National Drug Take Back Day on October 29 to help get medications out of the hands of children.

WAGAP staff will hold in-person visits to local senior meal sites to help seniors apply for assistance with energy, water, and weatherization needs in October and November. Senior Services staff will also help seniors with PUD and water discounts at the same time.

Domestic violence affects millions of people each year and has far-reaching consequences that directly affect the survivor and their family members. You can be connected with personal advocacy assistance, support groups, and online counseling services by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will expand operations of a new Mobile Food Bank into Skamania County in October in addition to routes in Klickitat County.

In a unique turn of events, the Washington State Community Action Partnership secured $7.3 million of state funding in 2022 as a match to federal Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funding. This funding helps Washington State’s 30 Community Action Agencies to stabilize and equip families and individuals to exit poverty for good through a network of local organizations.

After ten years of nonprofit service, Jennifer Pauletto, the new associate director of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), sees the people of the Gorge through a lens of equity.

A new fiesta, El Grito, will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on the Washington side of the Gorge on Sunday, September 18, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Rhinegarten Park in White Salmon. Admission is free, and the event is open to all.

“Over the past few months, several new developments have taken place that positively impacts KCCC’s work to add to the capacity of childcare options in the region,” said Leslie Naramore, executive director for Washington Gorge Action Programs.

WAGAP will begin operations of a new Mobile Food Bank in Klickitat County in September, with plans to expand to Skamania County in October. Read more for information on the initial route.

WAGAP received a surprise $25,000 donation from First Interstate Bank, and bank officials received an impromptu tour of operations. The funds are part of the bank’s Believe in Local campaign and will support a new Mobile Food Bank set to launch in September.

In Part 3 of a 3-part series, we learn about how some immigrants live with the uncertainty of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

In Part 2 of a 3-part series, Patty Gallardo shares more about her experiences. Life was a struggle, even though she had lived in the States since she was eight. She had not finished high school, had difficulty learning English and worked under the table because she did not have a social security number.

For someone living undocumented, finding work with stable conditions may be impossible. One woman shares the story of her path to becoming documented, which empowered her to build a better life for her family.

Parents are invited to register for Guiding Good Choices, a free and confidential series designed around promoting healthy development and reducing risky behavior for children as they enter their teenage years.

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash