A year of growth

2023 was a year of growth and change

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

To start the year, we wrapped up the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaboration Roadshow, sharing our mission to reduce houselessness with more than 10 City Councils and County Commissions. 

We welcomed our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Sasha Bentley, and got right to work on internal processes and training. We also increased our outreach to indigenous communities living along the Big River, by partnering with the Gorge Native American Community Partners and helping to bring vital services to them right where they are. 
In May, we were proud to welcome Governor Jay Inslee to our Skamania County office and share the work that WAGAP and community partners are doing throughout our region. Governor Inslee shared his bold plan to end homelessness and go all in on funding affordable housing, a much-needed resource in our area. 
We were honored to participate in the 2023 Spring Fest Celebration as the parade's Grand Marshall. Employees had fun walking the route and handing out candy and information to parade watchers. 

Perhaps most exciting is that our Drug Free Communities grant, a federal program, was awarded another five years to continue our important youth prevention work throughout Klickitat County. This gives us the full ten years to work on the causes of youth substance misuse. Our kids are our future, and we know our community is at its strongest when we put our kids first. 

We ended the year strong with a community discussion on causes and impacts of houselessness, while sharing services and resources with agencies and residents. We are proud to put another year filled with community partnerships, hard work, and growth behind us and look forward to continuing our work of helping people and changing lives. 

Leslie Naramore   & Jennifer Pauletto
Executive Director Associate Director