Sample Letters & Testimony
We need to spread the word that Wichita Center is at risk! We urge families, Wichita volunteers, non-profits, faith communities, businesses, partners, voters, and taxpayers to spread the word about why Wichita Center must remain at its current site.
Did you know Clackamas County recently sold the 78-acre Parrot Creek property to a youth-serving non-profit for just $1? So there is precedent for County Commissioners to negotiate an affordable price to serve the public good while reducing their own maintenance costs for programs they administer.. This type of win-win agreement would benefit both the School District AND the Parks District. Find out more.
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Share your own experience about how Wichita helps our community. Or copy one of these examples:
Wichita provides essential services
What supports are available to homeless students? Where can I get free shoes or a box of groceries? If I don't have dental insurance, where can I get treatment? Is free preschool available?
North Clackamas families with children find answers to all these questions an more at Wichita Center, a long-time hub of 12 support services.
With Clackamas County Commissioners evicting Wichita's programs in June, now these families face an even bigger question: Where will I go for help?
How ironic that the 12 agencies serving low-income kids will soon be homeless themselves.
I urge County Commissioners to sell this vital building to North Clackamas Schools as the district requested in October 2023. The sooner this happens, the better!
Selling Wichita to NC12 Schools is a win-win!
I am writing to request that North Clackamas Parks and Recreation sell Wichita Center to the North Clackamas Schools by June 2024.
The school district requested this in October 2023. I'm grateful that 4 months later, NCPRD has finally begun discussions about selling them the property, and I urge you to remain at the table to find a solution that allows Wichita Center programs to remain on site, serving children.
Selling Wichita to North Clackamas Schools is a win-win. First, Parks and Recreation will save thousands of dollars on annual maintenance costs for this building. That frees up funds for our parks!
It also allows low-income children to continue receiving co-located services without interruption.
At Wichita, co-location is key
Because the County Commissioners abruptly announced the eviction of Wichita Center programs by June, a dozen programs serving low-income children are at risk of closing or moving.
This would cause interruption of homeless services, health care programs, and vital lifelines like the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet.
These programs are at Wichita have been co-located for a reason: They are in the heart of the community they serve, they are on a public bus line, and being co-located allows children to receive multiple services at the same site.
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I urge our County Commissioners to sell this property to North Clackamas Schools as quickly as possible, avoiding any disruption or closure of these essential children's services.
We need quick action -- Kids can't wait!
For 14 years, Wichita Center has served North Clackamas children, housing a dozen programs that serve low-income kids. From food, clothing, and school supplies to health care, preschool, and homeless services, Wichita provided help to low-income children over 15,300 times last year alone.
Now, Clackamas County Commissioners have issued an eviction notice, putting all these programs at risk of closing.
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I'm pleased that finally, four months after their request to buy the property, North Clackamas Schools has been invited to discuss this with the NCPRD.
I urge the County Commissioners who serve as our Parks Directors to stay at the table until an agreement is reached that will allow Wichita Center to continue helping low-income kids.