TWST Blog

Astoria

The Friday that we came to Clatsop County was one of those late-winter days that reminded us that spring is coming. A sense of enthusiasm was embodied in the crowd of about 50 people that met us when we arrived in Astoria in the morning. The Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families graciously hosted us. We discussed who was in the room, what organizations they represented, addressed their questions in detail, and learned about the important issues facing their vibrant community.
When we asked the participants to tell us their names, and the organization(s) that they represent, I was surprised that people seemed to wear so many hats. For example, Ron and Larry, who met us in Astoria, represent four organizations between them. The typical reply included their name and the organization they represent, followed by a train of other organization names that they play integral roles in. When this trend was displayed time and again, I began to wonder if nearly the whole nonprofit network was represented in the room. I now wonder if the nonprofit network in Astoria is a small number of people making up the whole sector there, or if the nonprofits there enjoy a wide involvement of the community as a whole? Please leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on this.

We enjoyed a tasty lunch at the Blue Scorcher, which is only a block from the site where the first post office west of the Rockies was housed, as our local tour guide, Robert C. Stricklin informed us. Next, we were on our way to Seaside, Oregon. About 35 people greeted us at Bob Chisholm Community & Senior Center, including our hosts from the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District. Their concerns echoed what we heard in Astoria: increased poverty in Clatsop County, a lack of affordable childcare, and a need for more affordable housing.

People in both Astoria and Seaside wanted to hear how, exactly, the grant process at the Meyer Memorial Trust works. Both crowds seemed relieved when we reiterated the grants are judged by the quality of their project, not the quality of their prose.

Before heading back to Portland, we took advantage of the coincidence of a ray of sunshine on an open bench facing the sea, a precious occurrence this winter.

A warm thanks to everyone who met us in Clatsop County.

-Steve Van Eck, Program Intern

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