SWACH visits Klickitat County for policy and advocacy discussions

On November 15, SWACH hosted a community coffee hour at the Goldendale Community Library, bringing together Klickitat County residents and Community Health Workers (CHWs) from the region. The gathering provided an open space for discussions on policy work, local concerns, and gave the opportunity for community members to ask questions.

The event was led by SWACH’s dedicated team, including Heather Sheppard, Equity and Collaborative Impact Manager; Ashley Gaffney, Director of Community Health Improvement; Dominique Horn, Equity & Collaborative Impact Specialist; and Janyce Richardson, Community Health Improvement Specialist.

Attendees shared insights, challenges, and hopes for their communities, highlighting the critical role of policy in driving meaningful change. Conversations centered on ways Community Health Workers service the community, the functionality of SWACH’s Naloxone vending machine program and the difficulty of receiving services in a rural community.

This coffee hour exemplified SWACH’s commitment to engaging directly with communities across Klickitat, Clark and Skamania counties and supporting those on the frontlines of health improvement efforts. By fostering dialogue and building connections, SWACH continues to advance its mission of equitable systems change, driven by community-identified needs.

Stay tuned for more updates as we plan future Coffee Hours across Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties!