Portland, OR. The Bridge Meadows model is an intergenerational neighborhood where adoptive families of youth formerly in foster care bond with their older neighbors. The nonprofit has had to dramatically alter its operations due to the pandemic. “In our community, it’s about one-third elders—adults over 55 is how we define that—and then families who have adopted kids out of foster care,” Director of Communications Lindsay Magnuson explains. “The way everything is built is so people can connect, and that means being in person, face to face, doing things in the courtyard. And so [Covid-19] has kind of ripped away this way of connecting that has been so essential for people in our communities, and so we’ve had to pivot and figure out: how do we maintain that feeling of intimacy and connectedness without the physical proximity?”
Several of the Bridge Meadows elders in North Portland started busily sewing masks to support local health care workers.
Bridge Meadows will be hosting its annual fall auction and gala, IMAGINE, on September 17th. The event will be hosted—as in previous years—by KGW anchor Drew Carney and Benefit Auction 360’s Johnna Wells. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually.
“We are aiming to do a very interesting, dynamic and short program,” said Bridge Meadows Director of Communications Lindsay Magnuson. “We really want it to be valuable because the event usually has this community reunion feel, and so we wanted to kind of try to replicate that as much as possible.”
“Though our event will be held online this year, we are excited to celebrate the resilience and power of intergenerational community with you in new ways. Hear stories from the community about the impact the Bridge Meadows Model has on the lives of children who have experienced foster care and how you can help us bring this solution to more communities.”
Bridge Meadows lawn prior to the pandemic.
Many of Bridge Meadows programs, such as check-ins with its members and therapeutic groups, have been adapted into virtual programs, and members have been hard at work figuring out how to help older members who are uncomfortable with newer technology and parents who are adjusting to homeschooling.
According to Lindsay, “We’ve also been brainstorming with the community about how—now that we kind of know a little bit more about how [Covid-19] is spread—figuring out how to safely connect in person with [social distancing].”
On top of the upcoming IMAGINE gala, Bridge Meadows has also been hosting virtual roundtables, where community members, partners, champions and donors get together to check in with one another and host Q&A sessions.
For those interested in supporting Bridge Meadows, Lindsay recommended signing up for their newsletter, attending their virtual events, and making financial contributions.
While the pandemic has created many challenges for Bridge Meadows, Lindsay noted that there has been some benefits: “I think that this experience has really made us become more comfortable with how you diversify your methods of maintaining community. We have learned how to do that very quickly, and we’re still learning,” Lindsay said.
About Bridge Meadows:
Bridge Meadows develops and sustains intergenerational neighborhoods for adoptive families of youth formerly in foster care that promote permanency, community and caring relationships while offering safety and meaningful purpose in the daily lives of older adults.
Portland, OR. Bridge Meadows supporters are gearing up for a special evening on September 19th at the Hilton Hotel. It’s the 14th annual IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala. Portland favorite, KGW’s Drew Carney and Benefit Auctions 360’s Johnna Wells will co-host the event again this year. Bridge Meadows is a nonprofit which builds purposeful communities where children formerly in foster care, their forever families, and elders of modest means flourish together. Click here for tickets information.
Due to damage inside of the Kridel Grand Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum, Bridge Meadows is moving our 14th Annual IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala to the Hilton Portland Downtown Grand Ballroom I. The Hilton Portland Downtown and the Portland Art Museum have been very gracious and helpful in working with us through this transition, and we hope that this shift to a location several blocks away will not inconvenience
At the benefit, attendees will enjoy a selection of wine and cocktails, dinner, and live auction while supporting the meaningful work Bridge Meadows provides for children who have experienced foster care, parents and elders in our community. Entertainment will be provided by talented youth performers from Friends of Noise. Come celebrate the transformative power of intergenerational communities!
Here are some photos from last year:
Board Member Gayle Meyer, Associate Director Renee Mosely, and friends pose at the photobooth.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and friends
Bridge Meadows Supporters Steve Meyer, Mike Cobb, Patty Cobb, and Board Member Gayle Meyer
The IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala is the premier fundraising event for Bridge Meadows. Since its inception in 2005, the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala has raised more than $2 million to sustain and build intentional, intergenerational neighborhoods where children, families, and elders flourish together.
Bridge Meadows builds purposeful communities where children formerly in foster care, their forever families, and elders of modest means flourish together. We provide safe, affordable housing that helps interrupt the cycle of poverty, instability, and isolation that weakens communities over generations. Youth find comfort in stable homes. Parents receive support and guidance. Elders find the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and children. Bridge Meadows community members are invested in each other’s success. With safe, stable housing, and a shared social purpose, Bridge Meadows residents can re-orient themselves toward improved family stability, wellness, education, and economic outcomes. Our program has a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children who have experienced trauma, their adoptive parents, and elders who live in our communities. As we continue to look beyond our two communities, North Portland and Beaverton, we feel a grand sense of urgency to respond and build more intergenerational communities. Proceeds from the IMAGINE gala & auction will support on-site programs, mental health services and future community site developments.
Your support at the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala will make it possible for future generations to benefit from a Bridge Meadows community.
The IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala is the premier fundraising event for Bridge Meadows. Since its inception in 2005, the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala has raised more than $2 million to sustain and build intentional, intergenerational neighborhoods where children, families, and elders flourish together.
Editor’s note: Fall Preview is a PortlandSocietyPage.com feature and is sponsored content.
Portland, September 10th, 2015. If you couldn’t join the thousands who flocked to Pioneer Courthouse Square for The Standard’s Annual Volunteer Expo, you’re in luck. We’ve got all the information and website links to explore over 125 local nonprofits that could use your time.
A full list of links of nonprofits is at the bottom of our story.
R. Richard Crockett, (left) is the Program Operations Director & Volunteer Coordinator at Chess for Success.
Classroom Law Project is a non-profit organization of individuals, educators, lawyers, and civic leaders building strong communities by teaching students to become active citizens.
The Standard’s Volunteer Expo has repeat participants year after year, here’s a look at some nonprofits which continue to recruit volunteers:
Jenny Bedell-Stiles and Andy Meeks from Friends of Trees
talks with Casey Rhodes and Clark Hays.
Jenny Chu from Literary Arts
New Avenues For Youth volunteers are a hit every year because they dish out the free Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream!
Rachel Randles from Oregon Historical Society
The Volunteers of America recruited some new volunteers!
Special Olympics Oregon has room for coaches and event volunteers.
Newspace Center for Photography promoted its multidimensional photography resource center and community hub for students, working artists, professional photographers, educators, and photo-enthusiasts of all types.
Latino Network’s Edgar Ortega
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro Area had a colorful display.
The Work for Art’s Community Fund and Arts Education Fund support more than 80 arts and culture organizations every year—encompassing dance, visual arts, music, literary arts, media arts, theater, cultural arts, and arts education.
IMPACT NW drew prospective volunteers who learned that each year over 60,000 low-income children, youth, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities participate in Impact NW’s comprehensive anti-poverty programs.
The YMCA was handing out information about programs.
People who stopped by The Q Center booth were met with a friendly smile.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oregon Chapter staffers promoted their many volunteer options.
Reps from the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon explained their work on behalf of local cats and kittens.
American Red Cross volunteer recruiters had the trademark red vests!
The mission of the Make-A-Wish Oreogn Foundation® is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Northwest Pilot Project began in 1969 as an all volunteer agency to provide basic supports for seniors at risk of losing their ability to live independently.
Miracle Theatre Group is The Northwest’s premiere Latino arts and culture organization.
Camp Fire offers opportunities for volunteers who like to work with kids.
Bridge Meadows is a multi-generation housing community serving Oregon’s vulnerable populations; foster youth, adoptive parents and elders (55+).
Here’s a list of links to charities at the The Standard’s Volunteer Expo. Please consider donating your time, and tell them PortlandSocietyPage.com sent you!
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