Oregon’s Community Action network will miss Jeff Sargent, executive director of Yamhill Community Action Programs (YCAP).  Jeff served three years before stepping down at the end of June. 
 
Jeff believes that he is proudest of the work the agency has done to successfully house and support vulnerable people in Yamhill County.  Jeff said, “I would say the fact that we have been placing homeless people and families into stable homes or keeping them in their homes, and we’ve been getting more emergency food out the door to those who need it.”
 
Sargent started his job at YCAP just as the visibility of homelessness in McMinnville increased.  When leaders of McMinnville Cooperative Ministry began allowing homeless people to sleep overnight on the church grounds in the fall of 2014, more people took notice of the issue.
 
Since then, many local residents united with YCAP to find solutions to the homeless problem. “However, Jeff added, finding answers to the many questions raised by homelessness takes time.”  Jeff’s advice to Yamhill County, “Stay the course because it’s a long process.  There are no easy solutions, as communities have seen all over the country.”
 
Sargent and his wife Julia, are moving to Keizer for what he called “a sabbatical”.  They have no firm plans for what they will do afterward.  Jeff said, “I expect I will still be connected with nonprofits and social services in some form.”   
 
After selling their home, Jeff and Julia did experience what many people have discovered when looking for a place to rent.  The high housing prices in Yamhill County forced them to find a rental in Keizer.
 
The job announcement for his position at YCAP has been posted and is available on the agency website.
 
At the CAPO annual board meeting in June, the CAPO Board of Directors wished Jeff well.  He will be missed.

Published in:
Yamhill Valley News Register