An effort is being organized to see a community youth center built in The Dalles that will meet the needs of kids throughout the Mid-Columbia area. The center would host all participating youth organizations and their activities, providing youth with healthy activities and opportunities. One of the first steps has been forming The Dalles Youth Center Coalition, which consists of caring individuals and youth organizations. The coalition, which is currently working to obtain non-profit status, has begun the process of seeing this much needed project finally become a reality. To assist the community in catching the vision, and to demonstrate to potential donors and foundations that such a center can be successful here, one of the initial phases is to open a temporary youth center. The Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs helped kick off this effort by partnering with the ACTS program in hosting the "Lunch to Launch" on December 13th from noon to 1:00 at the Civic Auditorium Ballroom.

The purpose of the luncheon was to share the vision for the permanent youth center as well as raise funds for the temporary center, hopefully opening by the fall of 2007.

Special thanks to our hosts, sponsors, and volunteers:

Hosts - The Dalles Kiwanis Club, The Dalles Lions Club, The Dalles Rotary Club

Sponsors - Bob Stone Freeway Auto Center, C.H. Urness Motor Company, Columbia River Bank, Columbia River Electric, Columbia River Gorge Mortgage Group/Michael Leash, Columbia River Music, Columbia River Women's Clinic, Copper's Home Center, Dennis Morgan - Windermere/Glenn Taylor Real Estate, Discover Mortgage/James Martin, Doug Sawyer State Farm Insurance, Edward Jones Investments, Fun Country Mike & Lisa Erland, Gorge Glass, Gorge Women in Business, Griffith Motors, Hattenhauer Distributing, Kevin Hashizume, Attorney, Meadow Outdoor Advertising, Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Mid-Columbia Vision, Nancy and Bill Dick, Nelson Tire Factory, Northwestern Mutual, Optimist Printers, Orchard View Farms, Phil Foote - Realtor, Sears, Ray Schultens Motor Company, Rebecca Street Physical Therapy, Sign Pro, Wolfe Enterprises OR License B/B#82044 WA License #WOLFEI*024PR

Caterers - Baldwin Saloon, Big Jim's Drive In, Canton Wok, Casa El Mirador, Four C's Catering, Holstein's Coffee Company, Spooky's, Subway

Decorations - Tara Martin & Susan Whitmire

Media - KACI, KIHR, KODL Radio, Q104 Radio, The Dalles Chronicle

Organizations - ACTS International, Civic Auditorium

Individuals - Bill & Gladys Caddy, Bob Haechrel, Marie Kauffman, Fred Kirkman, Angela Lavender, Ryan LeBretton, Nikki Lesich, Joe & Tara Martin, Kim Nosenzo, Adam Pratt, Carrie Ramsey, Michelle Reilly, Katie Riese, Willie Riese, Bob Schultens, Dena Wolfe & Chris Zukin.

ACTS International is fortunate to have a board of directors who are well respected in the community for their achievements and personal integrity. Current members are Fred Kirkman/Chairman, Bob Schultens/Vice Chairman, Chris Zukin/Secretary, Gladys Caddy/Treasurer and Nikki Lesich. Until The Dalles Youth Center Coalition becomes a non-profit organization, the ACTS Board will serve as the oversight organization of monies raised. All funds donated for the The Dalles Youth Center will be designated for the specific purposes of preparing for such a center and operating costs associated with a temporary or permanent facility only. No funds will ever be used for religious purposes of any kind.