The Purpose
Mission Statement
Gorge Equality Council exists to organize volunteers and provide mutual aid to residents of the local community, to meet basic needs, strengthen community connections, advocate for vulnerable and marginalized people, defend human rights, and to support existing service organizations in providing direct aid to anyone in need.
Heart of the Gorge Community Center
The purpose of this project is to create and promote accessible, safe, and inclusive community spaces for social connection and free services to benefit residents of Skamania County and the Columbia River Gorge.
Community Rec Center
Games, exercise equipment, space for social gatherings, comfortable chairs and couches, piano, wi-fi, showers, restrooms, etc. Ideally kept open 24/7. This is the heart of the project. We need alcohol-free community gathering spaces. Local youth need things to do and safe places to socialize outside of school. We need a free community space for everyone where vulnerable people can seek refuge without stigma and get meaningful help as equal members of our community.
Queer Resource Center
Social and practical support for queer and trans people, including regular community gatherings, peer support groups, assistance with name changes and dealing with government agencies, information about safe medical providers, housing and financial support, etc.
Community Kitchen
Providing regular free meals, cooking classes, training for commercial kitchen staff, promoting the use of local foods, and other features of the stalled Community Fresh project that several local organizations had been working on before COVID.
Permaculture Garden
Cultivating native food plants, seed bank, composting site for food waste and yard debris, programs to help people convert their lawns into more ecologically friendly environments, and supporting local food production.
Education
Partnering with organizations and individuals to offer regular free classes and workshops on any topic. Spaces for music teachers and other educators to use. Private study rooms and computers.
Art Studio and Maker Space
Workshop with tools and resources for fabrication with wood, metal, lapidary, 3D printing, etc. Space for the Community Art Studio of Skamania (CASS).
Artisans' Market
Weekly indoor market during the Farmers' Market off-season, and/or a storefront for local creators and artists to sell their products.
Library of Things
A place to borrow tools and other non-consumable items that are only needed temporarily and infrequently.
Free Store
A thrift store that provides free clothing and household items for anyone in need.