During 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.

Our 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.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) has launched a comprehensive new initiative offering support and resources to strengthen communication, collaboration, and connections within the community.

In a long-anticipated move, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will start phase one of a remodel plan for its main office at 115 W Steuben Street in Bingen. The project targets creating a better footprint for the many programs under its umbrella, opening up some needed office and conference spaces to improve client services. 

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. 

Donors responded to a call to help even more families this holiday season through the Tree of Joy program run by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), increasing the number of children reached by nearly 100 this year.

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.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (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.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (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.

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.

Joanna Turner is inspired to help young people. After raising three children as a single parent and working for a domestic violence shelter in the Columbia River Gorge, she wanted to be upstream working to prevent violence before it started. That meant finding ways to engage teens in rural communities so they are active, have a sense of purpose and belonging, enjoy better mental health, and are more resilient. 

Community members are invited to contribute to a Community Voting Zine, a unique project put together by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) to capture the stories, reflections, and artwork of local individuals around the themes of voting, health equity, and civic engagement.

Beginning October 1 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.

Returning for a third year, 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.

Preventing financial stress for rural families was a primary goal of the recent Financial Wellness Fair series put on by Community Enrichment for Klickitat County (CEKC) and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) with the help of area partners. Over 200 people participated.

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.

In anticipation of this summer’s dangerously hot temperatures and wildfire smoke events, Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative partners will have free cooling kits available for houseless residents. They have also compiled lists of local sites where people may seek safety when life-threatening conditions set in.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently released an analysis based on Bank Secrecy Act reports that indicate in a one-year period, from 2022 to 2023, financial institutions reported roughly $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation.

The Skyline Health Foundation has awarded Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) $8,000 as part of its 2024 Community Health Grant, which supports non-profit organizations within the Columbia River Gorge that work to improve the health and well-being of the community within its service area. 

The East Houseless Task Force is hosting a volunteer cleanup of Ekone Park in Goldendale on Saturday, May 11. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon, everyone is invited to participate.