Agencies, boards unite for community center

Local governmental bodies and agencies plan to offer a multitude of services when the community center opens in the remodeled Cathlamet Town Hall building.

The Town of Cathlamet has delegated operation of the center, which will be located in the former fire truck garage, to the Wahkiakum Community Network. The Network is working with WSU Cooperative Extension, Lower Columbia College, SW Washington Workforce Development Council and other groups to offer services ranging from education to employment assistance. The Network will also offer its traditional youth enrichment activities.

"It's truly a collaborative effort," Lia Sealund, Network executive director, said Monday.

Workforce and LCC will furnish computers that can be used to access their services.

Jeannie Bennett, Workforce director, presented a Hewlett Packard computer to the center on Tuesday; it comes loaded with a program that can connect people to Workforce's employment training and job opportunities.

LCC also plans a donation of computers, Sealund said, that will enable users to access the college's educational resources.

Brendan Glasser of LCC noted that users can take LCC's classes, and they can enroll in four-year programs from higher level universities.

Vashti Langford, coodinator of local Goodwill programs, said the center will fit in well with Goodwill's programs. Langford said she is setting up an internship program for youth that will get going in January. The program will give the young people ages 16-24 job skills training.

County Commissioner Dan Cothren, who serves on the Workforce advisory board, said he was pleased that Workforce will be able to bring more service into the county.

"Workforce is always trying to figure out how to help Wahkiakum County residents," he said. "It's very tough being as rural as we are. This is a big key--access to tap into what's out there.

"There's a lot of stuff out there. I know people will tap into this."

The center should be open sometime in December. Cathlamet Librarian Carol Blix is starting to assemble new book shelves for the library, which occupies the upper story of the building. She'll plan a move once the library is ready to receive the books.