10
Wednesday,April21,2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
WAGAP releases 2020 Community Needs Assessment
Leslie Naramore
■ By WAGAP
executive director
We recognize that these
challenges are ongoing and
are often out of our control
locally.
For many years,
Because of all of this, our
Washington Gorge Action
Programs (WAGAP) has been goal to create opportuni-
doing assessments of the
ties for all people remains
real needs of our residents in unchanged. We are doing this
Skamania and Klickitat coun- by helping to build strong,
resilient communities, and
ties. There are patterns that
ensuring a more equitable
repeat across the decades,
society for everyone. In order
and the causes of poverty
within our rural communities to do this, we need commu-
have remained much the
nity input, and we get that
same. What we are witness to through the Community
here locally is similar to what Needs Assessment which
we see nationally in other
takes place every three years.
rural communities. Families
The 2020 Community
struggling to meet basic
Needs Assessment has re-
needs, compounded by the
cently been released follow-
trauma of intergenerational
ing months of collaboration
poverty and the changing
with more than 600 partici-
economy from timber
pants from the public, clients,
and agriculture to tourism
staff, partners and stakehold-
and high-tech design and
ers. An assessment of this de-
manufacturing, has created
tail is required by the Office
a growing divide between
of Community Services, the
the haves and the have nots. Federal body that oversees
Community Action Agencies
(CAAs), such as WAGAP,
to ensure that agencies are
aligning their programs and
services with current needs
in their community. This
is an opportunity for CAAs
across the nation to ensure
they’re meeting the promise
of Community Action. It also
ensures that our dollars are
being spent in a manner that
agrees with and best helps
our community members.
The assessment outlines
factors such as demo-
graphics, poverty levels
and employment data, and
then offers key findings on
the causes of poverty in the
region. Unfortunately, the re-
sults of the 2020 Assessment
were not surprising, given
the pandemic and economic
downturn.
One quarter of the popula-
tion in WAGAP’s service area
is considered low income,
and both counties have a
higher poverty rate than
the state’s 11 percent, with
Klickitat County at 15.5 per-
cent and Skamania County at
13 percent.
Additionally, in Klickitat
County, Native Americans
suffer the highest rate of pov-
erty at 40 percent. Notably, in
both counties, single females
with children have the lowest
median family income, that
is far below county and state
levels.
The causes of poverty are
complex and there are no
easy answers. Key factors
were analyzed including
employment, food, housing,
healthcare and transpor-
tation. Other issues such
as access to childcare,
broadband internet service
and education were also
reviewed. Lack of access to
these factors contributes to
poverty and creates barriers
to getting oneself out of the
cycle of poverty. In Skamania
and Klickitat counties, many
of our families are living in
intergenerational poverty
which is a cycle that can be
extremely hard to break.
During the pandemic,
the number of households
in Skamania and Klickitat
Counties served by WAGAP
was up from 3,216 in 2019
to 4,006 in 2020. Of those
being served, 45 percent had
been unemployed for up to
six months, while 29 percent
had experienced extended
unemployment greater than
six months or were not in the
labor force at all.
Access to affordable hous-
ing is a huge issue for many
families. In both counties
nearly one in three house-
holds are considered “hous-
ing cost burdened,” meaning
that they pay more than
30 percent of their income
toward housing. The high
cost of living in the region
suggests that even people
earning over 150 percent of
the Federal Poverty Level also
struggle to make ends meet.
As noted by one partic-
ipant from a focus group
held with the Klickitat
County Health Department,
“Affordable housing in our
area is so scarce it causes
homelessness. It makes it
hard to get healthcare provid-
ers to come here too. Some
homeless people already
work full time and can’t
afford housing — where is
the ‘out’?”
There are very few housing
options on the market for
rent. A quick internet search
while writing this editorial
shows some examples. Using
several well-known sites,
including local newspapers, a
SeeGRANTS,page11
Worship Directory
1ST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ODELL
DUFUR CHRISTIAN CHURCH
3081 Odell Hwy
Pastor Rick Plank
541-354-1863
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Service 11 a.m. Evening
Service 6 p.m. Wednesday
Service 6 p.m.
315 NE Harrison St., Dufur.
541-467-2257
Service at 10 a.m.
See website for updates
and to livestream service.
www.dufurcc.org
BAHA’I FAITH
Building Spiritual
Communities
Come Join Us
Call Brook at 509-365-3749
or Visit bahai.us
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Pastor Rob Lawson, Principal
Pastor Jesse Jacobsen,
2323 E. 12th St. The Dalles.
541-298-8385
Sunday worship service, 11 a.m.
Sunday school 12:15 p.m.
Home to Columbia Lutheran
School. www.gorgelutherans.com
BETHEL UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Inclusive - Welcoming -
Peace & Justice
480 E. Jewett Blvd,White Salmon
(509) 493-1747
Family Worship &
Sunday School 10 am
Taize - 2nd Wednesdays 7 pm
Rev. Laura Robinson
www.bethelwhitesalmon.org
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
3350 Columbia View Dr.
The Dalles., 541-296-2711
Sunday Worship 10am,
Sunday Anchored H.S Youth
6pm, Tuesday Refuge M.S. Youth
6pm, Wednesdays AWANA Clubs
ages 4 years through 5th grade
6pm.
www.calvarythedalles.org
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY
701 Washington St., The Dalles.
541-298-2711
Sunday service and Sunday
School at 10 a.m. Testimony
meeting last Wednesday of
every month 7 p.m. www.
christiansciencethedalles.org
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER DAY SAINTS
The Dalles Ward, Bishop Jason
Corey, 541-296-6082;
Sacrament meeting 10 a.m.;
Missionaries 509-306-0016.
1815 E. 15th St., The Dalles.
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Kim Linder, Pastor
2168 Belmont Drive Church
Office: 9 a.m. - Noon
Phone: 541-386-2604
Website: www.hrnaz.org
Sunday Worship
Service – 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School – 11 a.m.
Monday-Thursday
Home Small Groups
CONCORDIA EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELS
Evangelical Lutheran Synod
11th & Pine • Hood River
541-386-4004 or 541-298-8385
Pastor Robert Lawson
Sunday School & Bible Class
8:00 a.m.
Divine Service 9:00 a.m.
Office Hours: Wednesday
www.concordiahoodriver.org
CORNERSTONE CHURCH
“Church of the Nazarene”
1313 Mount Hood Street,
The Dalles., 541-604-8986
Saturdays at 6:30 p.m.
Sundays at 10:45 a.m. Building
Blocks (k-5th), Agents of
Christ (6th-12th Youth Group),
Anchored Women’s Bible Study,
Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.
COVENANT HOOD RIVER
Pastor Fritz Stranz
455 Frankton Rd.
Hood River, OR 97031
Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.
Service streamed on our website
541.386.8805
covenanthr.org
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH
HOUSE OF GRACE
114 W. Jefferson, Bingen
Sunday Service 10 a.m.
“Come experience the presence
of God”
509-493-1145
HUSUM COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF GOD
MT. ADAMS
BAPTIST CHURCH
Come as you are!
Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School
for all ages: 9:30 a.m.
2366 Hwy 141, Trout Lake
509-395-2929
mountadamsbaptistchurch.org
RIVERS OF GRACE CHURCH
1122 Oak Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
Services at 10:30 a.m. and
6:30 p.m. on Sundays
Pastor Cindy McLean
ROWENA BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor George Clark, 5964 Hwy 30
West, The Dalles (Rowena),
541-296-5933
Sunday School 9:30 a.m., Sunday
Worship, 10:45 a.m.
Ladies Bible Study Wed. 9:30 a.m.
Good News Club Thurs. 4:30-
5:30 p.m. - School Year - at Church.
Pastor Nate Warren, 2819 W. 10th
Sundays
MT. ADAMS BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Sunday School....9:30 a.m.
St. The Dalles, 541-296-2631
Virtual Meetings:
Worship...10:45
a.m.
Sunday School 9:45 a.m. ,
Temple service Sat 9-10 am
Several
Weekly
Bible
Studies
Worship 11 a.m., Sun. Eve.
https://us04web.zoom.
6 p.m.; Bible Study Wed. 6 p.m., Call for information and locations
us/j/507878725
Church -- 493-2724
Meditation and Metta
Student Ministry - 6th-12th
Pastor Tom Culp
Mon 12-1 pm
grades Wed. 6:30 p.m.
https://zoom.
us/j/3664507 4 7
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
FAITH BIBLE CHURCH
May all be well and happy,
RUFUS BAPTIST CHURCH
305 9th St. 386-3046
may all know love and peace
1889 Belmont, 541-386-3557
Interim Pastor Scott Holliday,
Pastor Jeff Mueller
fbchoodriver@gorge.net
309 Wallace St., Rufus,
www.ImmanuelHR.org
ODELL CHURCH OF CHRIST
www.fbchoodriver.org
541-739-2328
Sunday Morning Schedule
3784 Summit Drive Worship
Pastor Chris Mullins
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.,
Adult Bible Class 8:45 a.m.
10:30
a.m.
541-645-5652
– Sunday –
Sunday Worship, 11 a.m., Sunday
Worship Service 10:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:30am – 12pm
Evening 6 p.m.
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN
Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.
Expository preaching
Bingen WA.
Nursery Care 9:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Childcare provided 11:00 am
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Sunday Worship....9:00 a.m.
Small Groups All Week
New Location: 3339 E. 13th St.
We offer small groups/studies
Bible Study.....Sun., 8 a.m.
Check our web page above
Adventist Elementary
Call for times and locations.
509-493-2499
for all the details
541-298-1956
Sr. High Youth Group
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
Services: Saturday, 11 A.M.
PARKDALE BAPTIST
Saturdays @ 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Pastor Zachary Patterson,
6310 Dee Hwy
Middle School Youth Group
Pastor David Woodruff
2810 W. 10th Street,
541-352-6515
Fridays @ 3:30 p.m.
The Dalles, 541-296-3586
Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
“It’s all about
Sunday Worship Service 10 a.m.,
13th & Oak, 541-386-3220
Morning
Worship,
11
a.m.
RELATIONSHIPS!”
Bible Study Sunday 9 a.m.
David Woodruff, Pastor
Evening
Worship,
6
p.m.
Please join us!
FaithLutheranTD.com
9:30 a.m. Bible Study
Wednesday Study, 6 p.m.
11 a.m. Worship Service
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
KRHP TV-14
Spanish Services meet at
PARKDALE CHURCH OF THE
Pastor Mike Wilson,
“Christian TV the way
1100 22nd St.
NAZARENE
909 Court St. The Dalles,
it ought to be”
4th & Van Nuys (by grade school)
541-296-6189
Available free over the air in
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Services
Service 10:30 a.m.
The Dalles & Dallesport.
CHURCH
Carl Casey, Pastor
509 NE Tohomish St.
Also available free online at
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
FIRST UNITED
White Salmon
www.krhp.org.
Morning Worship 11 a.m.
METHODIST CHURCH
Sabbath School 9:30 a.m.
Also available free on Roku TV. Ladies’ Bible Study, Mon. 9:30 a.m.
Pastor Gigi Siekkinen,
(Saturday)
305 E. 11th St., The Dalles.
Call 541-352-6913 or
Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
LIFELINE BAPTIST CHURCH
541-296-4675
Pastor Fred Sheldon, 801 E. 10th 541-490-6673 for further details. Community Service Center open
Worshipping ONLINE at
to needy on Tuesdays, 9:30 - 2:30
St. The Dalles, 541-296-1508
11 am SundayJoin by Zoom
Pastor Merrill Caviness
PARKDALE
COMMUNITY
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.,
See our website or Facebook link
340-953-1372
CHURCH
Worship 11 a.m., 6 p.m. Sunday,
thedallesumc.org
4910
Baseline
Drive
541-352-
Wednesday 7 p.m.
SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY
facebook.com/DallesFUMC
7747 Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.
BIBLE CHURCH
Email: thedallesumc@gmail.com
LIFE IN CHRIST CENTER
Sunday Worship, 10:45 a.m.
8th & Pacific, Hood River
GATEWAY CHURCH (ECO)
(ASSEMBLIES OF GOD)
Rev. Mark N. Willems, Pastor
Tommy Moon, Pastor Sunday
John Geiter Pastor
Pastor Allen Refsland, 3095
Service 10:00 a.m. svbchr.org
1111 Dry Hollow Rd, The Dalles, Cherry Heights Rd, The Dalles,
QUAKERS, RELIGIOUS
541-298-8531
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
541-296-1136
SOVEREIGN GRACE
Sunday Worship 9 a.m.
Mt View Worship Group
Sunday School and Adult
BAPTIST CHURCH
& 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Norm Wells, 1003
601
Union
St,
The
Dalles
Life
Groups
9
a.m.,
Sunday
www.gatewaypc.org Services
Sunflower St. W. The Dalles,
Meets via Zoom on the
Worship Celebration 10:15
live-streamed through website
541-296-9651
a.m. Wednesday night activities 1st and 3rd Sundays at 10:00 am
Sunday
School
10 a.m., Sunday
Check out our website:
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH include: Kids clubs, Youth and
Worship 11 a.m. and
Quakersinthegorge.com
Adult
classes
all
starting
at
6:30
2 Services 9 am
Wednesday Evenings 7 pm
We are a non-programmed
p.m. See more info at www.
and 11 am with live
streaming at 9am
worship group under the care of
christcenter.net
SPIRIT OF GRACE
on our website
Multnomah Monthly Meeting
(A Lutheran/Methodist
LYLE CELEBRATION CENTER
No children’s church
Cooperative Church)
Contact person,
715 Washington St., Lyle
or nursery at this time.
Interim Pastor Sue Seifert
Jeff: 541-490-6006
509-365-3971
PO Box 1098/
1140 Tucker Road
or Lark 541-980-6322
1280 W Jewett Blvd
Pastor Les Haarstad
541-386-3993
All
are
welcome.
White Salmon, WA 98672
10 a.m. Worship
Sunday School -- 9:30 a.m.
www.Grace-ws.org
11 a.m. Fellowship
Worship Service -- 10:30 a.m.
RIVER OF LIFE ASSEMBLY
509-493-2597
Everyone
is welcome!
Youth & Small Groups -- 6 p.m.
Lead Pastor Terry Abbott
Wednesday -- 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Pastor Harvey Walls ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOOD RIVER
Bible Study
Youth Pastor Jesse Davis
ALLIANCE CHURCH
240 NW Washington
Children’s Ministries (K-5)
2650 Montello Avenue
979 Tucker Rd,
White Salmon
Hood River
Hood River, OR 97031
Masses:
MAUPIN
COMMUNITY
CHURCH
541.386.2812
• Saturday – 5 p.m. (English)
541-386-3656, rolahr.org
Pastor Tim Morelli,
office@hralliance.org
• Saturday – 7 p.m. (Spanish)
Sunday 9:30 am
490 Fifth St.,
Service times:
•Sunday – 9 a.m. (English)
in person & virtual
541-395-2653
Sunday 9am and 10:45 am
• Sunday - 11 a.m. (Spanish)
Worship
Service
&
Celebrate Recovery,
Sunday School, 9:00 a.m. with
Father Salomon Covarrubias
K-6th Grades
Thursdays 6:30pm
Sunday Worship, at 10 a.m. Youth
493-2828
Wednesday 6:30 pm
Group Wed. 6 p.m.; Women’s
Pastor Terry - virtual
HOOD RIVER
ST. MARK’S
Bible Study Thurs. 10 a.m.;
Kidz Connect (K-6th)
CHURCH OF CHRIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Men’s Breakfast Fri. 7 a.m.
Rev Kelly Mahon
in person & virtual
Evangelist GW Cliver
Sunday worship 10 a.m. @
ShareHouse Youth Ministries
903-426-8064
MID-COLUMBIA
Facebook.com/stmarks.hoodriver
in person
9:45 Bible Classes
CHURCH OF CHRIST
400 11th St., Hood River
Thursdays
6:30
pm
Share-
10:45 Services
Pastor David Astin, 206 6th St.,
541-386-2077
House Youth - Instagram
Wednesday Bible Study
Dallesport, Wash., 509-767-4901
FACEBOOK,
YOUTUBE,
7:00 p.m.
Sunday Worship, 11 a.m., 6
ST. MARY’S
INSTAGRAM
541-386-2782
p.m.; Sunday School, 10 a.m.;
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Wednesday 7 p.m.
1501 Belmont, Hood River
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY
HOOD RIVER VALLEY
Saturday Sacrament of
MID-COLUMBIA UNITARIAN
CHURCH UCC
Reconciliation in English/Spanish
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
Heart of Downtown at
3-4 p.m. Saturday
(Disciples of Christ)
Mass in English 5 p.m.
Online Worship Sunday at 10 a.m.
4th & State
Pastor: Rev. Alicia Speidel
Mass in Spanish 7 p.m.
Religious Exploration for
Sunday worship service
975 Indian Creek Road
Sunday
Children
and
Youth
at
10:30
am
via
Zoom.
Hood River, OR 97031
Mass in Spanish 8 a.m.
Check out our website at
Email mcuuf1@gmail.com
541 386-2608
Mass in English 10 a.m.
for a link to the online service
riversideucc.com for more
Currently gathering for worship
Mass in Spanish 1 p.m.
Rev. Judy Zimmerman
information
on Face Book 10:30am Sunday
Holy Day Masses
Info: (541) 241-6771 or
Doubters welcome
For more information, please
7 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 7 p.m.
An “Open & Affirming”
mcuuf.org
check church website:
Daily Mass 7:30 a.m.
Justice. Inclusion. Compassion.
congregation
www.hoodrivervalleychristian
Father Tomy Chowaran, Pastor,
A Welcoming Congregation
Rev. Vicky A. Stifter,
church.com or email:
541-386-3373
541-386-1412
hrvcchurch@gmail.com
ST. PAUL’S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1805 Minnesota St., The Dalles,
541-296-9587
Sunday Services at 8 a.m. and 10
a.m., Adult Forum 9 a.m., Rev.
Marilyn Roth, Rector
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Visitors Welcome
Sunday Services 10 a.m.
Youth Activities, Weds. 7 p.m.
1041 W Jewett Blvd, WS
493-1919
www.mormon.org
THE DALLES
SALVATION ARMY
Lt. Raymond Morris, The Dalles,
541-296-6417
Sunday Coffee fellowship 10
a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m.; Wed.
Bible Study, 6:30 p.m.
TUCKER ROAD BAPTIST
Pastor Dean E. Kelly, Jr.
1455 Tucker Road
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-1049
– Sundays –
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
– Wednesdays –
Prayer Meeting 10 a.m.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
CONGREGATIONAL
Rev. Lea Mathieu, Pastor,
111 E. 5th St., The Dalles,
541-296-2909
Worship 10 a.m.
VALLEY WORSHIP CENTER
5780 Hwy 35, Mt.Hood/Prkdl
Rev. Don & LaRonna Howell
Sunday Service…….10:45am
Virtual Service wkly. Facebook
www.valleyworshipcenter.org
valleyworshipcenter.pastor@
gmail.com or (541) 352-7269
WHITE RIVER CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP
Pastor Jeff Hoover, Tygh School
Community Center Annex,
83147 Tygh Valley Rd.,
Tygh Valley, OR 97063
Worship 9 a.m. Sunday. Email:
wrcfellowship@gmail.com;
http://wrcfellowship.com;
PO Box 11, Tygh Valley, OR 97063
WHITE SALMON PINECREST
Nazarene Church
10 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
& Children’s Service
6 p.m. Saturday Night
Spanish Worship Service
255 Rhine Village Dr.,
White Salmon
360-567-5454
Come Join Us for the Story
WHITE SALMON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
341 N. Main Avenue
White Salmon, WA 98672
(509) 493-1308
wsumc@embarqmail.com
www.whitesalmonumc.org
WY’EAST COMMUNITY CHURCH
Pastor Doug Massingill
3422 Odell Hwy, Odell
541-354-1063
Sunday Worship Schedule
9 a.m. Adult Bible Study
10 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
10 a.m.Worship Service
Come let us worship!
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
Rev. Tyler Beane Kelly,
101 W. 10th St., The Dalles,
541-296-9146
Worship online at 10:00 a.m. Sunday
On YouTube. Visit our Website
www.zioninthedalles.com or
our Facebook page.
To be included in the next
worship
directory,
contact us at 541-296-2141
ext 101 or email
nikip@gorgenews.com