Dear students, faculty, and staff,

Our WVC family continues to be impacted by the recent fires in our region, including the Kaiser Canyon Fire that started on July 16 in Nespelem. Several of our employees and students have sustained tremendous losses, and WVC is here to support our community during this difficult time. 

Resources are available for our students, staff, faculty, and neighbors impacted by the fires in Okanogan County, and fire relief efforts are underway for members of our community that would like to help and provide personal support.

Cedar Fund

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have set up the Cedar Fund to provide direct assistance to individuals impacted by the wildfires on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Donations will help meet immediate needs, including emergency shelter, food, clothing, household essentials, and other critical support, while also assisting families as they begin the long process of rebuilding their homes, restoring their lives, and strengthening their communities. Every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can stand with our neighbors, honor our shared responsibility to one another, and help the people of the Colville Indian Reservation recover with dignity, resilience, and hope.

Okanogan County Community Action Council Wildfire Recovery Fund

The Okanogan County Community Action Council has set up a special fund to provide essential support and relief to community members impacted by the wildfires in Okanogan County. Visit their website to learn more.

Basic Needs and Food Pantries

The Knights Kupboard food pantry is open to WVC students and employees with limited summer hours. Both pantries supply canned food, soup, cereal, pasta, household items, personal care items, and diapers.  Contact WVC Omak Dean Cal Cross at ccross@wvc.edu to access the Omak food pantry and Rob Villa in Student Life at rvilla@wvc.edu to access the Wenatchee food pantry.

Support is also available for current WVC students facing basic needs insecurity. Visit the Basic Needs webpage to learn more about emergency funding available for food, gas, housing assistance, and other essential expenses. Contact WVC’s Student Benefits Navigator Magali Olguin Ramos at molguinramos@wvc.edu to make an appointment. You can also reach out to the Counseling department for emergency funding at counseling@wvc.edu.

The Okanogan County Community Action Council runs nine food distribution sites through Okanogan County. The locations and hours are available on the OCCAC website.

Computer Resources

For current WVC students who need access to a computer, please email library@wvc.edu to make arrangements on our Wenatchee and Omak campuses. For more information about library resources, visit the WVC Library website.

Counseling

Our counseling team is here to support you and connect you with community resources. Email counseling@wvc.edu to make an appointment.

Washington State’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) also offers short-term counseling services for faculty and staff who need support. For 24/7 support, call (877) 313-4455. 

If you need to speak with someone immediately, call (509) 662-7105 to reach NCW’s local mental health crisis hotline. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24/7 for immediate support by phone, text, and chat; they also offer services for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Emergency Resources

Okanogan County has developed emergency resources for residents affected by wildfires. There are three evacuation shelters open in Okanogan County:

There are also three large animal shelters open:

Visit wildfirencw.org to find emergency information and resources in one accessible place.

Okanogan County  partners with Everbridge for emergency alerts. Sign up to stay informed of emergencies and receive critical information quickly about severe weather, unexpected road closures, and weather-related evacuations.

Thank you to the firefighters and first responders who are working day and night to keep our communities safe, and to our WVC staff and faculty who immediately began providing support and resources to those affected by the fires.

We will continue to monitor the situation and share resources with our community. Please keep all of our friends and neighbors in your thoughts, and be safe.

Sincerely,

Faimous

WVC President