What happens when people are treated for mental health conditions and then discharged but have no place to call home? In Skamania and Klickitat counties, the Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance Program (CBRA) is in place to help people transition from care facilities back to their communities.

Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash

Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative is extending an open invitation for individuals and organizations to learn more about its members’ work over the past year and their plans for 2024 at its next quarterly meeting from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on February 13 via Zoom.

Members of the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative are completing the 2024 Point in Time (PIT) Count this week in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties.

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February is national teen dating violence awareness month. Teen dating violence doesn’t just affect teens. It also affects parents, teachers, friends, and communities.

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Ben Noble is on a mission to get people talking. His job is an important one: to get landlords and tenants to discuss matters that could potentially lead to an eviction and try to help them find common ground and resolve their issues.

The Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson opens on January 11, 2024. It is expected to be available through mid to late March, depending on weather conditions. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center.

When a family struggles to make ends meet, the small things taken for granted can make a huge difference in their quality of life. The Family Resource Center in Goldendale helps to stabilize families with children under age 18 in Klickitat County to prevent child abuse and future houselessness.

As we look back at 2023, a theme of growth and change is prominent. 

Human trafficking is a global crisis. During the month of January, it is officially recognized to raise awareness in order to create change for a better world. Acknowledging and showing support during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month helps contribute to rescuing victims, catching perpetrators, and improving the lives of survivors.

Preparations for operating the Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson are in progress. An opening date has not yet been announced, but when it opens, it is expected to be available through mid-March. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

What started as a discussion at a Goldendale City Council meeting in October about how to address vandalism and safety issues at Ekone Park due to drug use and disposal of waste has grown to include houselessness, substance use disorders, mental health, family values, and how it all affects the fabric of the rural community.

Santa is at the top of the list for the free Family Holiday Night on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Goldendale Grange Hall.

One step at a time, that is how Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is ensuring a deliberate and thorough approach to its dedicated Equity and Inclusion program.

In advance of severe weather hitting the region, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, Washington Gorge Action Programs, and area partners are preparing to ensure our most vulnerable community members can access shelters, emergency lodging, and street outreach resources.

Beginning November 28, 2023, on GivingTuesday, community members are invited to stop by Stevenson, Bingen, and Goldendale Housing offices to say hello and pick up two free reusable WAGAP shopping bags. The first bag is to keep, and the second bag is to return filled with items that support WAGAP programs for those in need.

The call for donors is in high gear to meet the demand for the Tree of Joy holiday gift project in Klickitat and Skamania counties.

The “Elfing Elks,” a group of ladies, members, spouses, and community members supporting the Mt. Adams Elks Lodge #1868 in White Salmon, kicked off the season of giving by donating handmade hats and scarves to Washington Gorge Action Programs for neighbors in need.

Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition members are celebrating that their youth prevention work will continue to be funded by the federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant for another five years.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council launched the grand opening today for The Annex in The Dalles! It brings expanded transitional housing and shelter for people experiencing houselessness in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties and will include wrap around services with culturally responsive and culturally specific case management, healthcare, behavioral healthcare, respite medical care, jail diversion programming, employment resources, and rapid rehousing resources.

What a great example of what communities can do when they pull together! The WAGAP team was on hand to congratulate MCCAC and Nch’i Wana Housing and to bring ideas and inspiration back to the Washington side of the Gorge!

WAGAP Executive Director Leslie Naramore writes a letter to the editor In response to an article from The Goldendale Sentinel spurred by unfounded rumors that WAGAP is busing houseless people into Goldendale’s ‘greener pastures’. Naramore asked for people to have compassion and remember our common humanity.

Photo by Mihaly Koles on Unsplash