Art project also used to promote October luncheon: “Making Home Possible”

Clark County, our home.

There is the natural beauty of Clark County. The Columbia River. The nearby mountains. Then there are the city and country lifestyles, right next to one another.

To celebrate the community, and call attention to those who are without a home who need help, the Council for the Homeless and local community members have teamed up to create an art display called “A Home for Everyone.”

“The majority of the people experiencing homelessness in our community are from here and want to stay here,” said John Kendrick, president of the board for the Council for the Homeless. “They too enjoy the natural beauty and want to be near family, friends, school, employment, and more.”

The display is also a way to get word out of the Council’s “Making Home Possible” virtual luncheon on Oct. 20. The luncheon is free. Gregg Colburn of the University of Washington and author of “Homelessness is a Housing Problem” is the keynote speaker. To register for the luncheon and more details, go to: https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/luncheon/

Artist and former Evergreen School District art teacher, Jennifer Smith painted the six background panels of Clark County for the display. 

Holly Williams teaches origami at Burnt Bridge Cellars and led the creation of the origami houses and animals. 

“Origami is fun and anyone can do it. It is an art form with a rich history and builds community when shared,” Williams said. “The houses and paintings remind us that everyone should have a place to call home.”

Kate Altenhof-Long brought the elements together for display.

“A Home for Everyone” is on display at the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street in Vancouver, through the month of August. The display will move to the Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136h Avenue in Vancouver, for the month of September.

Council for the Homeless has the mission to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County. The council said there are too many people who call Clark County home but do not have a safe and stable place to live. 

The council invites the public to see the art display in the next couple of months, and then attend the virtual luncheon to learn about the causes and solutions to homelessness. 

“Council for the Homeless assists people who are in crisis,” Kendrick said. “Part of ending an individual or family’s crisis is to move into a permanent place to live. We need more housing affordable to people at the lowest income levels.”