Representing through art: The Annex receives a new mural
THE DALLES — The Annex Transitional Housing and Shelter is receiving an eye-catching new feature in the form of a mural on the west side of the building. Created by The Dalles artists Chris Pothier and Dylan McManus, the mural features a colorful combination of shapes that together create the image of an outstretched arm with a child its palm.
MCCAC Newsletter 2025 Spring Recap
Greetings from Mid-Columbia Community Action Council! Here are some key highlights from MCCAC from the past few months.
Neighbor Impact to Provide Weatherization Services for Mid-Columbia Region
Effective July 1, 2025, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) will refer qualifying low-income community members from Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties who are seeking home weatherization services to NeighborImpact, a private not-for-profit organization based out of Redmond, Oregon.
Governor Kotek Visits Rowena, Surveys Fire Damage
Governor Tina Kotek visited Wasco County to discuss the response and recovery efforts related to the Rowena Fire, which sparked June 11 and burned over 3,700 acres, including 56 homes and 91 other structures.
As the flames die down, Rowena residents determine what’s next
As wildfires continue to trigger evacuations across Oregon, residents of a small community along the Columbia River are assessing what remains of their homes after the Rowena Fire.
Last week, the fire destroyed 56 homes in the unincorporated community of Rowena, outside The Dalles. The flames skipped and jumped between homes, leaving some untouched while reducing others to rubble.
Medicaid is on the Line: What This Could Mean for Gorge Communities
In recent current events, we have all been hearing about funding cuts that the U.S. (or federal) government is making. It is hard to understand what is being cut and how it will impact all of us because we are getting so much information. One service that we are worried about is Medicaid.
For this reason, members involved in a volunteer group of service providers called the Gorge Health Equity Collaborative have written this letter to help explain what cuts to Medicaid in Oregon and Washington may mean to us.
Master Blaster: Mad man in Mural-dome
Artist Chris Pothier washes the west wall of the Annex in downtown The Dalles this afternoon, May 15. He was at the intersection of Thai food and Copper West Properties - the very gut of TD - as he and Dylan McManus prepare for the latest mural in Little Art City on Lincoln Street.
Naramore named Mid-Columbia Community Action Council interim executive director
Last week, the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) announced the hiring of Leslie Naramore as its interim executive director. Naramore joins MCCAC after more than 11 years working with its counterpart, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).
Leslie Naramore Hired as MCCAC’s Interim Executive Director
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), the region’s leading homeless services provider, announced that Leslie Naramore will join the organization as Interim Executive Director. Leslie begins her new role after more than seven years of serving as the Executive Director of the MCCAC’s counterpart in Klickitat and Skamania Counties, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).
Life-threatening temps, east wind turn heat up at local warming shelters
Staff of the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council were at the ready on West Seventh Street in The Dalles this morning, Feb. 10. The Gloria Center activated the Emergency Shelter due to freezing temperatures.
How nonprofits count the houseless
Last Wednesday, about 50 social workers started their day with the same goal: Find and survey all the unhoused people in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania and Klickitat counties within 24 hours. Part of a federally mandated Point in Time (PIT) Count, Johnson and others dove into liminal spaces, looking for those that society prefers to keep invisible.
Pivotal player in fight against houselessness takes leave; LaPoint impact immense in past 4 years
The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 24, 2025 — After four years serving at the helm of Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), Kenny LaPoint announced his intention to resign as the organization’s Executive Director on Jan. 21.
Houseless Collaborative invites partners, public to meeting
The bi-state Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC) invites partners and interested public members to its third quarter meeting on July 9, 2024, from 3-4 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Gloria Center at 2505 W. Seventh St., The Dalles.
Cooling Shelters open today, July 5 as temps crest 100 ; cooling supply bundles ready
As temperatures soar and an Excessive Heat Warning grips the region, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) announces critical initiatives to support local residents. MCCAC is launching a Cooling Shelter at The Gloria Center and distributing essential cooling supply bundles to ensure community well-being during this heatwave.
MCCAC Celebrates Gloria Center Grand Opening
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) celebrated the grand opening of the Gloria Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new building on May 31. The Gloria Center, a support services navigation center, is a social service center aiming to provide social and health services for the areas of Wasco, Hood River and Sherman counties.
MCCAC to Hold Grand Opening of The Gloria Center
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) is pleased to announce the grand opening of The Gloria Center, a one-stop multi-agency supportive services center located in The Dalles. The formal grand opening event will take place at 11am on Friday, May 31st at 2505 W. 7th St. in The Dalles.
An Inside Look at MCCAC's Newly Constructed Gloria Center
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has wrapped up construction of the Gloria Center, a multi-agency service and resource center.
Donation of Hydro Flasks to Eliminate 50,000 Single Use Plastics at MCCAC
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has received an anonymous donation of 168 Hydro Flasks to help them in their environmentally conscious effort to reduce usage of single-use plastic water bottles at MCCAC’s Annex.
Houseless Collaborative Shares Portraits of Houselessness
Nearly 80 individuals joined a Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative meeting on February 13 to learn about progress made toward its goals during 2023, review strategic plan updates, and get an overview of key activities and projects planned for 2024.
MCCAC, community partners rally to provide shelter during storms
When winter storms hit the Gorge in January, no one was a higher risk than those without housing. Across the Gorge, shelters and volunteers rushed to ensure that the unhoused would be safe from the biting cold. In The Dalles, this effort was headed by Mid-Columbia Community Action Council and its community partners.