In recent current events, we have all been hearing about funding cuts that the U.S. (or federal) government is making. It is hard to understand what is being cut and how it will impact all of us because we are getting so much information.

One service that we are worried about is Medicaid. For this reason, members involved in a volunteer group of service providers called the Gorge Health Equity Collaborative have written this letter to help explain what cuts to Medicaid in Oregon and Washington may mean to us.

We believe in creating spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and welcome, and we create programs, teams, and positions within our organization to help us do this. When we brought the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, a once standalone organization, into our fold in 2022, we were able to expand our reach to the LGBTQ+ community in the Gorge.

Every day, The Next Door’s dedicated Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs) empower students to build brighter futures. Students in local Gorge schools receive the mentorship and encouragement needed to succeed by working with YOWs in our Columbia Gorge Youth Connection (CGYC) program. One student’s story is a powerful reminder that the right support can be life-changing. 

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, a time dedicated to honoring those who selflessly give their time and energy to make the world a better place, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is proud to shine a well-deserved spotlight on local resident and TNDI’s Volunteer of the Year, Andy Wade.  

Each year, the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Foundation hosts a Hearts of Gold event to honor individuals dedicated to improving the lives of others and building a healthier community in the Gorge. This year's honorees, Jim and Kathy Stutters, are The Next Door Inc.'s (TNDI) longest serving foster parents who’ve opened their hearts and their home to more than 50 foster children, providing the stability, structure, and love that so many have needed since 2012.