Letter of Support Concerning the Wichita Family and Community Center

Please see the following letter of support written by the board and staff at the North Clackamas Education Foundation concerning the Wichita Center for Family and Community. It was shared with the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in their role as the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District Board of Directors in February of 2024. Thank you for your time and attention on such an important community matter and thank you to those who are working toward an agreement.

“To the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, in their role as the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District Board of Directors, 

The mission of the North Clackamas Education Foundation (NCEF) is to Bridge the Gap to Ensure Students are Engaged and Ready to Learn. Through 32 years of operation we have stepped up to support the students and families of the North Clackamas community when given the opportunity to fill a need. For the last decade, NCEF has served as a fiscal sponsor for the food pantry, clothes closet, emergency housing, backpack buddies, and lunch buddies programs located at the Wichita Center for Family and Community. Through this work, NCEF has helped to ensure these essential services are funded through dedicated donations from NCEF’s generous donors.

Working in this role, NCEF has seen first hand the importance of the Wichita Center and what it means to our community. Together, federal, state, county, and non-profit partners have been able to provide comprehensive and complete services to students and families in need. These essential services are positioned in a vital location of our community, ensuring ease of access to the entire school district.

Last year, families were served 7,936 times at the Wichita Center, which meant children were served 15,385 times (12,952 children ages 5-17 and 2,433 children ages 0-4). The demand for the services at the Wichita Center has grown significantly over the years, and we see the demand continuing to grow.

NCEF knows the NCPRD Board of Directors has acknowledged the importance of these services. NCEF is also aware that the North Clackamas School District is committed to continuing these services and has expressed their interest in purchasing the Wichita Center building. NCEF urges the NCPRD Board of Directors to work with the North Clackamas School District to come to a resolution as soon as possible that will continue these essential services in our community at this vital location.

Signed,

The Board and Staff of the North Clackamas Education Foundation”