A letter from WAGAP Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto. Reflecting on 2024 at Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for all the WAGAP team has accomplished this year. Our collective strength, commitment, and collaboration have ensured that our agency evolves to meet the ever-changing needs of our community, even in the face of challenges.

This year, the Tree of Joy is reaching 108 children in Eastern Klickitat County, 194 in Western Klickitat County, and six in Skamania County. “It’s such an amazing thing to see the community come together to help support families in need,” said Kristi Packer, a WAGAP housing program coordinator from Goldendale.

There will be no Stevenson emergency warming shelter this winter due to minimal use over the past few years. Skamania County Homeless Housing Task Force and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) have adjusted the units near the Hegewald Center to serve instead as temporary housing for families.

The WAGAP housing team is working on an alternative.

Article by Trisha Walker, Columbia Gorge News

WAGAP and the White Salmon Valley School District are also finalizing details of the lease agreement that will bring WAGAP’s free Community Youth Center to the district’s Park Center Building. The topic was one of the reports heard by the school board at its Nov. 20 meeting.

Article by Nathan Wilson, Columbia Gorge News

THE DALLES — The Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative hosted its third annual Housing Stabilization Summit Nov. 13. The first of two days focused on empathizing with houseless folks and how member organizations, like the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) and others, can more effectively meet their needs.

WAGAP was pleasantly surprised by $35,000 in early annual fundraising donations this month presented by two local banks, helping the Community Action Agency jump-start its end-of-year fundraising campaign.

Spanish-speaking individuals and families are invited to Henkle Middle School in White Salmon on Monday, November 18, at 5:30 p.m. for a Financial Wellness Fair conducted entirely in Spanish.

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WAGAP hopes to reach 300 children from families in need this holiday season through the Tree of Joy program that provides essential winter items like cold weather coats, clothing, hats, gloves, and boots, with a special gift item or toy that brightens a child’s holiday season. Won’t you join us?!

Community members and leaders will have an opportunity to experience what it may be like to be houseless as part of this year’s Housing Stabilization Summit put on by Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC). The two-day event, held November 13 and 14 at the Civic Auditorium in The Dalles, will include training for local partners who support the houseless community and a chance for local and regional leaders to immerse themselves in the Day in the Life experience.

Four new childcare providers have opened their doors in Klickitat County in the past two years, and one more is nearing approval with the help of the Klickitat County Childcare Committee (KCCC). These small businesses operate out of the homes of newly licensed providers, providing parents with an essential service. Photo submitted by Sharon Mason of Daisy Daycare

Joanna Turner is inspired to help young people. Turner reflected on the impact CultureSeed has had on her family and youth involved with Our Klickitat. "CultureSeed has cultivated a sense of community for the youth that they haven’t been able to find anywhere else. It's given them a sense of belonging that they need to be successful and to feel hope. It’s really beautiful.”

Community members are invited to contribute to a Community Voting Zine, a unique project to capture the stories, reflections, and artwork of local individuals around the themes of voting, health equity, and civic engagement. Submissions are open through Friday, October 4, 2024.

AniChe Cellars has introduced a new twist to the annual fundraiser that supports the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Food Bank Network. This year, instead of one larger concert, the winery is holding two more intimate events on its grounds in Underwood, Washington. 

Each year, PFPL brings awareness to the dynamics of Domestic Violence throughout October, which is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, in collaboration with Soroptimist International of Mt. Adams (SIMA), the team has several activities planned using the color purple to honor the prevention efforts against domestic violence.

Beginning October 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m., Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will begin taking calls to schedule appointments for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for low-income residents in Skamania and Klickitat counties who need assistance paying their heating bills. Energy Assistance application events for seniors aged 60 and over will be held at local senior centers beginning October 24, 2024. Read more for details and locations.

In honor of National Voter Registration Day on September 17, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is holding events to help community members register to vote in Klickitat and Skamania counties.

Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC) partners are helping the Red Cross assist vulnerable community members throughout the Gorge during wildfire season. This is in addition to sharing resources of ongoing efforts to keep the houseless community safe throughout the year.

Photo by Joanne Francis on Unsplash

El Grito will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on the Washington side of the Gorge on Sunday, September 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Rhinegarten Park in White Salmon. Admission is free, and the event is open to all.

Applications to receive a $200 energy credit are now open for low-income residential customers whose households have an Area Median Income (AMI) of 150 percent or less through September 15. 

For nearly 25 years, Jan Pearo has been on a journey to support her community, making her the longest-running employee at Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).