Support sought for AmeriCorps volunteer
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July 7, 2016
To The Eagle:
Margaret Lapic, c/o Americorps Grants Program
Subject: Grant status for Wahkiakum County
Dear Ms. Lapic:
As a committed volunteer at both the Cathlamet Community Center, and the Cathlamet Library, it was immensely disappointing to learn that the Americorps grant to continue support for a coordinator position at the Community Center was denied for fiscal 2016-2017.
I realize that Wahkiakum is a much smaller community than Cowlitz County, but we have basic needs as does your county. We have no youth center, no senior center, and very few locations that can serve small group meetings and daily activities such as computer access, social gatherings, directions for newcomers, and many more services to our residents and guests.
Given the many programs funded by AmeriCorps in the current funding cycle, we have been completely left out. Our county commissioners have assured us that there are no funds to carry the Cathlamet Community Center further when present funding expires. Our current coordinator for the Center, Cheryl Kingston, has done an outstanding job of growing the use of the facility. However, if we cannot expand our essential services from Cheryl’s facility development, the center will have to close down in September.
No facility or program can thrive if there is not an opportunity to maintain continuity. Our library has become highly popular and well used because our librarian, Carol Blix, has made excellent use of our volunteers. With Carol’s guidance, the library has developed a reputation for providing excellent service and special programs that the community has come to rely on.
To cut off funds in the second year of the Community Center’s initiation would be a waste of Cheryl Kingston’s good work, and a tragic loss to a community with meager services.
I am requesting that other residents who would support the Cathlamet Community Center remaining open after September 1, write to: Margaret Lapic, Americorps Grant Program, 906 New York Street, Longview, Washington 98632.
Craig Brown
Cathlamet
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