WAGAP announces leadership changes
Juan Reyes and Jennifer Pauletto
From Washington Gorge Action Programs:
By Tammy Kaufman
Bingen, WA (June 26, 2024) - In a move planned nearly two years ago, the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Board of Directors announced that Jennifer Pauletto will be the new executive director as of July 1, 2024. Juan Reyes has been selected to join her as the new associate director.
“The board is excited to have Jennifer and Juan fill these leadership roles,” said Debi VanCamp, WAGAP’s board president. “They bring complementary skills and experiences that will contribute to the agency’s ongoing success.”
Bringing a wealth of experience, Jennifer Pauletto, who was appointed as the associate director in 2022, steps into the role with over a decade of service in the nonprofit sector, including positions at Haven, Gorge Grown Food Network, and Mid-Columbia Children’s Council (MCCC) HeadStart, Pauletto’s background aligns perfectly with WAGAP’s mission and goals.
Jennifer Pauletto
Pauletto replaces Leslie Naramore, who has led the organization since 2017 and grew the team to over 50 employees and 20 programs that serve low-income clients in Skamania and Klickitat counties. Pauletto said she is ready to continue the legacy of listening to community members to address their most relevant needs.
Continuing to build on her years of collaboration in the Gorge, Pauletto is particularly interested in eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty through comprehensive services. She has been actively involved in the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative and says affordability and stability in housing are key concerns for all, especially for Native people and migrant workers and their families.
“Each individual has unique barriers,” Pauletto said, “and my goal is to continue to support our staff at WAGAP and our partner organizations, who work hand-in-hand with community members in need to help them have a better quality of life.”
Juan Reyes
Reyes has been supporting WAGAP as the Latino outreach coordinator since 2021 and has been deeply involved in the Gorge community all his life. He has been active in Hood River County, Radio Tierra , Hood River Christmas Project, community Spanish GED education courses, and serving as a graduation/prevention coach at Hood River Valley High School.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve all community members in this new capacity,” Reyes said. “I have always strived to create equity and opportunity for everyone, and I am excited to help Washington Gorge Action Programs continue and grow the amazing work they do every day to help people and change lives.”
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.
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