Pivotal player in fight against houselessness takes leave; LaPoint impact immense in past 4 years

From MCCAC press release with additions by Tom Peterson and previous reporting by Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 24, 2025 — After four years serving at the helm of Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), Kenny LaPoint announced his intention to resign as the organization’s  Executive Director on Jan. 21. LaPoint was instrumental in bringing basic services such as proper bathrooms and showers for those who are houseless.

Deputy Director Kelli Horvath, who has served in several leadership roles at  MCCAC since 2021, will continue to guide the agency until an interim Executive Director is appointed by MCCAC’s Board of Directors.  

LaPoint has been a pivotal player in leveraging the local program through astute use of state resources and careful negotiations with local leaders in the often politically-charged atmosphere of how and where to provide housing for those who become houseless. His efforts to energize the MCCAC team and greatly expand the program has touched many - Tom Peterson.

“Given the strong leadership team and organizational infrastructure Kenny built these past few  years, the agency is well-positioned to maintain stability and continuity of operations during this  transition,” said Joan Bird, Sherman County Commissioner and Board Chair of MCCAC. “MCCAC  has tackled countless challenges during Kenny’s tenure as Executive Director. Now, he’s passing  the torch on to a team that is incredibly well-prepared to continue offering critical shelter, housing,  utilities, and weatherization programs to our community.” 

LaPoint was hired in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic after leaving his post as Public Affairs Director at Oregon Housing and Community Services. In his resignation letter to  MCCAC’s board and staff, he reflected on the agency’s impact on the community.  

“The MCCAC team has grown from just eight people in November 2020 to nearly 40 today,”  LaPoint said. “We transformed the once-dilapidated Oregon Motor Motel into The Annex—a  vibrant community asset serving an average of 70 people daily with shelter, food, and services.  We built the beautiful Gloria Center, a collaborative, multi-agency service hub designed to foster  relationships and streamline access to vital services. We have also taken up the baton from Hood  River Shelter Services, becoming the shelter operator in Hood River. Today, MCCAC is stronger  and more equipped to serve the community than at any other time in its nearly 60-year history.”  

The Gloria Center, 2505 W. 7th St., The Dalles was part of LaPoint’s quintessential plan as MCCAC worked to bring services for the houseless under one roof. Through strong leadership and management the Annex has been able to keep the former Oregon Motor Motel looking good on the west end of downtown The Dalles. It has more than 50 separate rooms, including the hard-to-find units for families.

The MCCAC Board of Directors will soon convene to appoint an interim Executive Director and begin searching for a permanent Executive Director.  

“The entire board and I are so grateful for Kenny’s visionary leadership, fundraising prowess, and  courage as MCCAC’s Executive Director these past few years,” said Wasco County Commissioner and MCCAC Board Secretary Phil Brady. “We will miss him, but we are also excited to keep building on the remarkable energy and momentum he brought to our community.  He recruited and trained an incredible team and built a very strong foundation that will serve the  people of Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties for years to come.”  

MCCAC is the Community Action Agency serving Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties.  MCCAC's mission is to build a better future for our community through partnership and equity centered programs that prevent and eliminate poverty and houselessness.