Community Needs Assessment, Walla Walla WA

Amazing Grace Church

SCHOOLS & ADULTS WITH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN (Walla Walla & College Place)

As school superintendent, what are some of the distinct values that you observe with families served by College Place Public Schools?

Values have become subjective. CP used to be more singular; now it's more diverse.

In your position, what are some of the prevailing mindsets and attitudes of families served by College Place Public Schools?

Kids are perceived as "right".

Diversification of the definition of "family"

Mindsets and attitudes are becoming more polarized. There are fewer people in the "middle"

I pay taxes, therefore you serve me and I'm right.

In your opinion, what are some of the top needs that emerge for families served by College Place Public Schools?

Stop the deterioration of the American family

What can College Place Public Schools do to be more relevant to the concerns and needs of families served by the district?

Be in the community to understand it, then be responsive/agile.

Help kids and families understand that having a 5th year plan is not only smart, but critical.

Are there any additional bits of information that you would like to share with us?

My personal input, would be that I'd love to see more opportunities for after school programming and volunteers who could help run it. The start we had with Grace Methodist was amazing. Only 7 kids, but it was a safe place for them to be with more adult positive adult connections. During the school day I do think it would be great to have more support, but I'm not sure all teachers are comfortable working with volunteers yet. I met with Beth Thiel a couple of weeks ago and they would like to see the gardens, during the day and after school, staffed by others than the Farm to School organization. This might be another opportunity.- Christy Krutulis, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning

Becky Jo Gifford, School Intervention Specialist Writes:

NEEDS:

1. Available emergency/transitional housing for families

Several places will separate the men (and 12+ boys)from the women and children. During a time like this families need to have the option to stay together

2. Daycare/afterschool care financial assistance

3. Basic Needs available for families after transitioning from shelters

There is food and financial assistance, but families need help when they do finally get into their new living situation. They need items like trash cans, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, sheets/bedding, pillows, in some cases furniture...

4. mental health assistance

5. shoes!!!

TRENDS:

1. increase of mental health illnesses and decrease in available (or follow through if access) services

2.dependent on community services with the expectation that is the only option

3. decrease of family interactions

children spend more time on electronics, parents aren't helping with homework (due to lack of education/knowledge), less outside time

4. Poverty stricken families spend money on electronics instead of family needs

Questions to Homeschool Organizations:

Would you be interested in a homeschoolers' playgroup that meets regularly for kids to have the opportunity to play and make friends with other homeschoolers?

Comments:

  • This sounds like a very much needed and good idea for our town.
  • If we pursued homeschooling, this would play a large role in our decision.
  • Is this a church, because that’s one great idea?
  • Often "playgroups" are meant for younger kids, but higher grades would be great too. Middle and high schoolers crave that time together.

Would you and your spouse appreciate a Date Night while your child/children were enrolled in a safe and fun children's program?

Comments:

  • Yes, please!
  • This would be a huge asset to Walla Walla.
  • Although my children are old enough to be alone at home for a few hours, I do know from volunteering at the Children's Home Society that there are many low-income single parents that could use a few hours of respite. Often these parents are at their wits end with parenting and work and no money, and having a time each week away for a few hours could prevent possible abuse from an overstressed parent. This is a REALLY big need, and no place in Walla Walla offers this at no charge.

As a parent living in the Walla Walla valley, what is one of the biggest themes, trends, or needs that comes to your mind that concerns you and your family?

Comments:

  • Safety, especially with everything going on the world. Security at church as far as Sunday school or odyssey. Manning of the doors during odyssey, so no one can just walk iin at anytime. Also, a sign in/sign out form based on each group of kids for odyssey.
  • Teen activities beyond going out to eat.
  • Legalized marijuana as promoted by our local newspaper
  • Opportunities to connect with other families in moral, wholesome environments.
  • Children and their free range of the internet. A child of any age having access to the WWW right in their pocket at all times is a terrifying idea that parents seem to have no idea of the effects that will happen as a result of this. Most parents have no idea what their children are watching. I know a mom who has a 2nd grade girl who is addicted to porn. The mother was shocked when she found out, because her daughter is so sweet and innocent. It is terrifying times.
  • Very little for families to do together during the non-tourist months.
  • Lack of early childhood enrichment programs such as music and art.

If you could have anything you wish as a parent in Walla Walla, what would that wish be?

Comments:

  • Not sure, more gatherings for families, especially with children under school age, who are welcomed, into a fun filled get together.
  • More physical activities to do.
  • Tons of older teens hanging out at Safeway, come one…churches have a huge market here, guess they are just lazy – teens and churches.
  • Traditional family values.
  • Scouting, nature, orienteering programs; playgroups for homeschool kids, not just co-ops
  • My 20-somethings want to connect in meaningful ways, church yes, youth group no (too old). Discussion, yes.
  • Massive groups of young folks and young families uninvolved in dated churches. Yours is one of them. Have a place for them to connect with their age group around like topics…you got em.
  • An indoor play place open to all families that was open at times for home school kids and public school kid is.
  • Churches stop marketing to me (im 26) – just ask me to be part of something greater than me. It isn’t hard. Oh and have something for my 3 yr old during…single mom. Lot’s of married families like me as well.
  • Single-payer health care.

As the parent of a child in public school, what do you see as the biggest needs?

Comments:

  • New administration at the high school. Activities for the teens. Not a lot to do except for going out to eat. More emphasis on being more competitive in sports
  • Stronger support for Christian students.
  • The future of our children is sad. Children need more time to connect with loving, healthy adults. Everyone, kids and parents should be aware of the effects of ACEs and trauma. The focus shouldn't be on high academic test scores, but on teaching children their worth as a person, how to treat other people, and how to make healthy connections to their own children so they are prepared when they have them. Children who never had healthy parents themselves are growing up and having their own children. What is trig worth!? Drop the high end classes and lets teach a class on ACEs!!
  • Nature based programs. A lack of Montessori and/or nature based programs

The Moms' Network of Walla Walla

Yes Heather we can post it in a few days. Have you contacted the Community Council? They are doing a valley wide needs assessment. You could collaborate? I just posted their next meeting and some information on how to contact them.

WINDSHIELD SURVEYS

SURVEY 1:

My top observation visually is that there is a lot of gang graffiti (tagging) in town—particularly west of 2nd Avenue. The Eyewitness News Facebook group frequently reports hearing gunshots in the same area, and since I live just west of 2nd myself I can attest to the fact that there is a lot of gang activity, and it is not unusual to hear gunshots at night. The gangs are closely tied to drug sales, and some of the turf warring is probably connected to them protecting the area where they do this business. I believe the tags are part of their attempt to mark their drug-sale territory.

My second main observation is that homelessness has become a big issue of concern in town. I observed a group of around a dozen people who appeared to be homeless congregating at noon on the edge of a public parking lot next to the Rose Street Safeway. On Facebook there is much concern being expressed about the homeless population downtown and the fact that many of them are addicts who hang out in Heritage Park and do drugs there. The city has become concerned for the impact on tourists, and I observed their “downtown ambassadors” hired to help prevent the homeless from harassing shoppers.

Here is the most meaningful post I found on the issue from FB: “A year ago I met Joe. Joe has recently been in and out of jail and he will appear back on the streets again when he is out of jail if he isn't already. I found out so many things about Joe when I sat and visited with him last year. When I asked him what he would like for those of us to do when we see him, he said, ‘treat me like I matter’. He said, ‘don't look away and pretend you don't see me, look at me, say hi, that's all’. . . . . We are very blessed to have the churches in our area that provide a meal a day for the homeless, a church donates the shower where they can shower once a week, two groups help with laundry two different times a month. Of course there is the wonderful Christian Aid Center where a hot evening meal is served. None of these places have a space where the homeless are wanted during the day, welcomed and accepted. Until we come up with that space we will see more and more homeless hang out downtown where their friends are and where they are familiar with.” It was also noted that the proposed Madison Park tiny house project will not necessarily meet this need.

A Facebook group called “Coalition for Safe Neighborhoods” posted the following recently: “Neighbors are reporting a marked increase in dangerous, illegal, and inappropriate behaviors in the WA Park area lately...... A residence at 609 West Cherry street has been a subject of much attention and police calls, with suspected illegal and dangerous activities, including an armed man that was witnessed kicking the door in, a massive increase in human traffic, and endless piles of refuse on the premises. This residence has direct access to the park through its back yard and is only two houses from the kiddie splash pad. Code enforcement responded at least once to enforce clean up and to inquire about how many people may be illegally living in the back yard. Police chases on foot have resulted in arrests in our lawns. One neighbor reports a young woman has been sleeping in the back yard of a home that is for sale and currently vacant.”

I am not sure if the reference to “human traffic” above refers to the problem of human trafficking but if so, this is not the first mention I have heard of human trafficking through WW. It is likely closely connected to the gangs. We also need to recognize that the Penitentiary in town is an opportunity for ministry since Jesus specifically mentioned helping those in jail. On Facebook, concern has been expressed that families of the incarcerated have moved into town. I don’t know if this is true but if so, it could be another area for outreach. I know two men who recently retired from careers in the Pen and who often spoke to me of the dark atmosphere of that place and frequent unrest among the prisoners leading to danger for the workers there.

BMAC owns an apartment complex next to Lincoln High School and also several other residences in the area where they provide low-income housing for families and senior citizens. These facilities are well-maintained and regulated. They are in the process of constructing a youth center at their complex next to Lincoln which will house healthcare and daycare (for the children of teen parents) among other services. There are huge needs among the student body of Lincoln High School. If you haven’t seen the recent award-winning documentary made at Lincoln, I highly recommend watching it. It’s called “Paper Tigers.” It speaks of the many traumas the average Lincoln student has faced in their short lives (abandonment by parents, parents who are addicts, physical and sexual abuse, etc) and how the school tries to address these traumas in order to help these kids succeed in getting an education and learning to support themselves despite the rough start they have had in life. I know the Young Life ministries are also involved with the youth at Lincoln, which includes a mentoring program for teen moms. But the documentary indicates that there are still great needs among the Lincoln students, which my own observations as a neighbor of the school bear out.

SURVEY 2:

General Summary:

Walla Walla has a variety of people that make up its residency. The older generation finds a place in many 55+ communities such as Odd Fellows, Wheatland, and other village-style homes, such as Rustic Place Adult Community. There are young professionals and those who enjoy the wine industry. Three colleges are located here: Whitman College, Walla Walla Community College, and the SDA Walla Walla University in College Place. The Veterans' Administration is located here. There are many families with children, and Walla Walla, offers many amenities that appeal to families, such as beautiful, well-maintained parks, a splash pad, library, aviary, YMCA, Fort Walla Walla Museum, Whitman Mission, a children's museum, and more.

As I was out and about in the community, I made the following specific observations:

– The tennis courts at Pioneer Park have been repurposed into Pickleball Courts. I noticed people playing Pickleball in the mornings, and after doing some research, I found that Pickleball lessons are being offered, and the first Pickleball tournament took place July 23-24. This activity seems to draw age 40 and up, from my observations.

– From a conversation with the wife of a county deputy, I learned that the county needs to fund a couple more deputy positions in order to effectively deal with the gang activity here in Walla Walla.

– On August 2nd, Walla Walla celebrated National Night Out at Pioneer Park where booths were set up along the themes of safety, law enforcement, neighborhood watch, and crime prevention.

– There is a large Hispanic population here in Walla Walla. I don't know if many are Catholic or if many could benefit from a Hispanic Nazarene congregation. When we were living on the Virginia District, we observed that they have a very strong number of Hispanic Nazarene congregations, offering interpretation at District events and even a separate Hispanic Family Camp. I don't know if the Hispanic population in Walla Walla would be responsive to this type of ministry or not.

– Because there are families in Walla Walla with young children, I believe parents could benefit from Date Nights with safe childcare provided. I noticed a Facebook event where the Blue Mountain Community Church provided a Date Night for parents to attend the Whitman Observatory. I don't believe this is a regular occurrence, but I think parents might benefit from a more regular service of this type.

There is also a “Moms Night Out” page on Facebook, also provided by someone from Blue Mountain Community Church. I personally have been a member of this

page hoping for opportunities to make friends in the community, but honestly, they have not provided outings as regularly as I would have hoped. This tells me that there is a desire for this sort of thing, but it's not being done with regularity. There is also a “Moms' Network of Walla Walla” which tries to provide information to Moms on what family-friendly activities and events are available in our community.

– There are quite a few homeschooling families in the Walla Walla Community, of which I am one. Because I am a homeschooler, I have made an effort to learn of co-ops and playgroup opportunities. On Facebook, I am a member of three homeschool groups/co-ops in the area: Walla Walla Homeschoolers, Eastgate Homeschool Co-op, and Blue Mountain Homeschooling Co-op. There is also a Classical Conversations group in the area. As I observe the comments being made on these Facebook Group sites, I notice people are looking for homeschooling groups or clubs for highschoolers, looking for playgroups and other ways to connect with other homeschooled children, looking for curriculum, and there are people who post on these sites offering tutoring services and other extracurricular activities such as sewing and art.