WAGAP Housing program changes hands in Stevenson

“I tried to retire four times,” laughed Gray during his interview. “I just became interested in things and tried them out.” He said he was happily volunteering at White Salmon Middle School back in 2016 when he was introduced to WAGAP by his wife, who encouraged him to apply for the housing position. 

What spoke to him was that he would be working to help people where he lived in Skamania County. He had spent a lifetime serving others. He was a Navy Vietnam War Veteran, then worked in hospitals for 30 years in cardiac-related imaging and diagnosis. Working with many veterans, he learned to consider their overall health and needs, which prepared him for his time assisting individuals and families at WAGAP.

One of his earliest clients put his skills to the test. It was a woman who had lived a very simple life in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for more than a decade. But she was aging and, in her mid-60s, realized that she might not survive another winter alone in the woods. Gray described her as fiercely independent and suspicious of people, saying it took months for him to gain her confidence. 

“We can’t deal with the issues until we deal with the human,” Gray said. Through consistent interactions and showing this client that he would respect her boundaries while also proving that he and the WAGAP staff could be trusted, he finally broke through. He connected her with the services she needed to thrive.

Another highlight for him was a visit from Washington State Governor Jay Inslee in April 2023 to Skamania County to tour local agencies and nonprofit organizations. Gray participated in a roundtable discussion and introduced the Governor to the teams at WAGAP’s office in Stevenson, where the housing department and food bank are located. 

“It gave the whole community a chance to shine,” Gray said. He was impressed that Inslee took time to talk to the boots on the ground workers, adding that the Governor probably talked to 100 people that day. 

Gray is particularly proud of working with local agency partners as part of the Skamania County Homeless Housing Council. This group of members from across the county, representing a variety of agencies, including the WAGAP housing team, has worked over the years to provide relevant care and services. 

Over the years, during extreme weather situations, coordinated services and sheltering opportunities have altered for those in need, from running a warming and cooling shelter to offering temporary hotel vouchers to get homeless members out of life-threatening conditions. The group evaluates options, the expenses involved, and the impact the services have on the population. 

“It was a great experience and a huge undertaking,” Gray said. “There were so many logistics involved in running an overnight shelter. It ended up that the need went away, and it made more sense to use hotels when the danger was life-threatening.” 

The group has streamlined the process of helping homeless people during dire situations, and Gray is thankful they are ensuring clients get the shelter they need the most. “I feel really good about it,” he said. “Now it is much less manpower dependent, we have much more effective use of money, and have reduced the strain on staff without sacrificing care.” 

Gray’s successor is Bobby Casey, a young man with deep connections with WAGAP who has most recently been the coordinator of the Guided Path, the agency’s shelter in Bingen. Gray is glad for Casey to get this level of experience.

“Our staff have a hard job,” Gray said. “The housing coordinator’s role is to support them and pave the way for optimism and good outcomes. We’ve got a team that knows exactly what to do and how to do it. He’s got everything he needs to be successful, and I’m excited for him.” 

“Curt has been a steady and compassionate steward of this community for many years. In the time we’ve worked together, he’s shown me what it truly means to lead with heart, especially when standing beside those most impacted by houselessness,” said Casey. “His presence, insight, and unwavering care will be deeply missed. It’s an honor to carry forward the work he’s poured himself into, and to build on the strong foundation he’s so thoughtfully laid for all of us.”  

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Una versión en español de esta historia está en línea en www.columbiagorgenews.com/enespanol.