Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter preparing to open
From Washington Gorge Action Programs:
By Tammy Kaufman
Stevenson, Washington (December 20, 2023) - Preparations for operating the Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson are in progress. An opening date has not yet been announced, but when it opens, it is expected to be available through mid-March. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).
“It takes two to staff the shelter over the 12-13 hours that it operates each night,” said Curt Gray, Skamania County Housing Programs manager. “We are getting close, but still need to hire a second staff member.”
Once the opening date is announced, houseless persons needing to escape life-threatening winter weather will be able to access the shelter Thursday through Monday evenings and will need to check in between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. each night. It will be available to adults, children accompanied by their parents/guardians, and emancipated minors. Unaccompanied minors will be referred to the Youth Empowerment Shelter in The Dalles.
If emergency needs arise on nights the shelter is not open (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), clients will need to contact WAGAP during regular office hours for alternate assistance. The WAGAP office in Stevenson is at 683 SW Rock Creek Drive and is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. The office phone number is 509-427-8229.
The team at WAGAP is on hand to help with a variety of services beyond emergency shelters. They will work together to help with immediate needs like shelter, food, and safety to put people on a path to sustainability and independence.
When the shelter opens, Cristian Olivares, the new warming shelter coordinator, will be available at 509-281-1129 after business hours. You will be asked to leave a message if you reach a voicemail.
In Klickitat County, WAGAP does not have a warming shelter and works one-on-one to assist clients in need as resources allow. Two WAGAP offices are available Monday through Thursday to make arrangements for health and safety:
In Bingen, call 509-493-2662 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or go to WAGAP’s main office at 115 West Steuben Street.
In Goldendale, call 509-773-6834 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or go to the WAGAP Housing office at 150 West Main Street.
Both the Skamania and Klickitat County WAGAP offices have some resources available to assist clients in the cold weather, like winterwear and supplies. During the day, public resources like local libraries and WAGAP offices are available for people to get out of the elements and stay safe.
Regional houselessness partner Father’s House Fellowship, located in Klickitat County in Goldendale, will be reopening its emergency shelter beginning January 15, 2024. The shelter will not act as a drop-in warming center but will have two rooms available for emergencies.
Contact Father’s House Fellowship emergency shelter at 509-773-4719 during regular office hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon to confirm eligibility and see if a room is available. For an after-hours emergency, call 509-261-1860. For more information about Father’s House Fellowship emergency shelter, email fhf1880@outlook.com.
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities address basic human needs in Klickitat and Skamania Counties. For more than 50 years, the organization has offered support services to help people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org or, for additional information, contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or email info@wagap.org.
