Sign the Letter

Sign the letter of support

Chair Smith and Board of Commissioners,

We, the undersigned community leaders, representing a diverse coalition of social service providers, faith community members, and business leaders, write to you today with a shared concern that holds significant relevance to our entire county — the preservation of the Wichita Center and the essential services it provides.  

We are calling on you to be transparent with the public on what brought you to the decision to evict the programs at Wichita Center in June 2024. 

We also ask that you begin transparent conversations, in earnest, with the North Clackamas School District, which has expressed interest in continuing these services at this location. It’s essential to move quickly so Wichita programs can avoid disruption of services to children.

Wichita Center plays a vital role in our community It provides
-- a food Pantry

-- a Clothes Closet

-- a Hygiene Pantry

-- a Ready, Set, Go preschool classroom

-- a Head Start classroom

-- Clackamas County Behavioral Health Services

-- Oregon Department of  Human Services

-- North Clackamas Education Foundation office

-- WIC nutrition services
-- the NCSD Dental Program
-- a CARE program office
-- McKinney-Vento services for unhoused children. 

For the last twelve years, with multiple partner agencies working together, the Wichita Center has been a place families can come to ensure their children are supported and given their basic needs to thrive.

For many counselors and teachers, Wichita Center is the first line of defense in helping students and families gain some stability. 

These services are a lifeline in a school district where 300 students lack housing and 39% (6,453 students) are considered low-income  In the past year, the Wichita center has served:

• 7,936 families

• 2,952 children 5-17

• 2,433 children 0-4
   

One of the key markers of a compassionate and just community is one where we take care of our most vulnerable neighbors, and that is exactly who the Wichita Center serves.

A disruption in these services will be devastating for the school district, for the families, and for our entire county. We know that when the most vulnerable in our community suffer, the whole community suffers.

We know when families and students have access to these services, it creates much needed stability, allowing them to stay in school, stay healthy, stay housed, and stay connected to their support systems — which allows for our whole community to thrive. 

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We urge you to work with the NCSD to find a solution that allows the Wichita Center to remain at this vital location and for the essential services to go uninterrupted and available to our students and families. 

Sincerely,

The undersigned organizations, businesses and leaders

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If you would like to add your name or logo to the growing list of supporters, please sign on here. 

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