EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior and family housing communities into vibrant centers of art & creativity, learning, and wellness.
Join Us in Learning Across Generations: A Dialogue in Experience & Study
Join us for a meaningful conversation that brings generations into dialogue: an older adult resident at EngAGE and a USC Gerontology student studying the complexities of aging.
Now in its sixth year, the 2026 Global Intergenerational Week (#GIW26) continues to champion and celebrate meaningful connections between generations. Taking place from April 24th to 30th , the campaign invites communities around the globe to come together to embrace and promote intergenerational practice in all its forms.
Join Liv Schaffer, Intergenerational Director, April 30th, 3-4pm, as she hosts our #GIW26 webinar advancing opportunities to connect to celebrate some of the intergenerational friendships already catalyzed by EngAGE programs.
This conversation will offer a rare opportunity to hear how personal history and academic study intersect, reminding us that some of the most powerful insights about aging emerge through genuine human connection. RSVP HERE
The conversation will include Maria Yglesias, a 68-year-old EngAGE resident originally from Spain, Maria came to the United States when she was 23 years old and worked in retail, sales and optometry. Maria walks 2-5 miles daily and loves talking with people. Shaakhini Satchi is a junior at USC studying Human Development and Aging. When she is not volunteering at EngAGE, she likes to read, write, run, and cook.
Together, they will share stories, questions, and reflections on what it means to grow older, what younger generations are learning about aging today, and how relationships across generations can shape and impact our understanding of life’s later chapters.
Vote with Us: for a better LA In the #LA2050GrantsChallenge
You vote, @LA2050 gives! 🌟
We want YOU to vote for the issues that matter to you in the #LA2050GrantsChallenge. It takes less two minutes and last year, helped distribute $3 million to 55 organizations like ours across Los Angeles County.
EngAGE takes a whole-person approach to creative and healthy living by providing arts, wellness, lifelong learning, and intergenerational programs while building community to thousands of residents in affordable senior and family communities in California and Oregon.
Zaneta Smith, A Nike Legacy Project Changemaker, Zaneta is a Social Impact Leader. She currently serves as Division Chief of Supportive Housing at a government entity. Zaneta has a 15-year track record of social impact providing support in various areas including homelessness and housing in the non-profit, government, and for- profit spaces.
When she is not working, she is impacting her community as Executive Producer of TEDx South Central since 2015.
A former White House Intern under the Obama Administration, Zaneta has degrees in Social Work and Psychology from U of I at Chicago and Spelman College, respectively. For fun, Zaneta loves traveling, eating, and reading.
Nui Bezaire has worked to end homelessness and housing instability for nearly 20 years, starting at the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) in the skid row community of Los Angeles. As a consultant for both Corporation for Supportive Housing and LeSar Development Consultants, she provided homeless system technical assistance to communities nationwide and helped launch the first statewide flexible funding pool with Anthem in California.
She has extensive experience leading systems change in local government in both California and Oregon. In Napa she was the county and city’s first Homeless Program Manager. In Oregon, she has spent the past 5 years leading the implementation of a Portland metro regional voter measure, developing Multnomah County’s community-driven implementation plan, and leading regional oversight and accountability for the measure with Metro Regional Government. She lives in Portland with her partner and Bernese Mountain Dog, Count Basie, and loves exploring Portland’s food scene.
Sarah Apodaca is a research analyst dedicated to advancing equity through public health. Her focus is addressing structural forces impacting health beyond individual control, recognizing that a person’s ability to care for their own health are mediated by a complex web of conditions. Sarah currently works in the WIC program at the State of Oregon’s Public Health Division.
With over 17 years in public service, her diverse experience spans Environmental Public Health, EMS & Trauma Services, Vital Statistics, and the Public Health Director’s Office. Exposure to these intersecting areas of public health has fueled her passion for building resilient, equitable, and inclusive government systems that better serve Oregon’s diverse communities.
Originally from Alaska, Sarah holds an AA from Cabrillo College and a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2008. Outside of work, Sarah is the proud dog mom to Olive, a ridiculously cute and spirited Chiweenie. She enjoys reading, exploring Portland’s vibrant food scene, and finding meaningful ways to connect with her community.
AND OUR NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS
Prajwala Ghate, known to most as PJ grew up in India and brings her cultural warmth and creativity to EngAGE. Before joining the team, she worked with the community as an independent contractor teaching Arts and Crafts and building close connections with residents. Stepping into the Program Director role felt like a natural progression allowing her to expand her impact and foster a vibrant, supportive environment. Though she holds a degree in finance, her passion lies in writing and storytelling. In her spare time, PJ enjoys reading, crafting, gardening, and travelling.
Sophie McDonald holds a B.A. in Peace and Justice with an emphasis in Human Rights Law and a minor in Sociology. She has experience working as a paralegal and teaching incarcerated youth in Riverside. Sophie plans to attend law school and become a criminal defense or human rights attorney. She’s passionate about creating true and lasting peace and justice, both on an interstate/national and interpersonal level. Sophie fosters small animals and also takes care of her house plants in her free time.
Eric Carey was born in Portland, moved to Sauvie Island at a young age, and grew up in St. Helens where he began supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. He volunteers at the local food bank and the senior center. Eric is passionate about fostering community and works to strengthen connections and inspire positive change in his neighborhood.
Shelby Goldstein is a yoga teacher and nutrition coach, chasing her love of helping others find contentment and joy in their daily lives. After a fast-paced career in marketing, she chose a new path rooted in connection, growth, and community. As Program Director, Shelby loves building spaces where people feel supported, celebrated, and empowered to shine authentically. She’s guided by her favorite reminder from Ram Dass, “We are all just walking each other home.”
Nancy Murphy brings over ten years of experience building community and bringing street murals to the Montavilla neighborhood of Northeast Portland. Her past work includes collaborative work with Vestal Elementary where she worked with the students to create five murals, in conjunction with the Vestal PTA, IRCO, the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Village Building Convergence. She will help oversee the design and delivery of accessible, culturally responsive art and fiber arts programs for youth, adults, and families. Passionate about the transformative power of the arts, Nancy sees the magic in every individual’s creativity and how each persons’ effort results is an amazing work of art.
Fernanda Torres is completing her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a minor in Education, at Oregon State University. Throughout her studies, she has been passionate about giving back to the community through volunteer work with local nonprofits and by supporting families in a variety of ways. Her career goals focus on empowering and uplifting children, families, and all members of the community through meaningful connections and support. Outside of work, Fernanda enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Clyde. She also loves reading, gardening, watching scary movies, and exploring new music.
As we continue to grow and welcome new folks, EngAGE continues to bring high-quality arts & creativity, health & wellness, lifelong learning, educational supports, and intergenerational initiatives to our communities.
With the addition of our new staff and board leadership, we are even better positioned to serve thousands of residents of all ages across California and Oregon with connection, creativity, and care.
EngAGE takes a whole-person approach to creative and healthy living by providing arts, wellness, lifelong learning, and intergenerational programs while building community to thousands of residents in affordable senior and family communities in California and Oregon.
Each year EngAGE provides innovative arts & creativity, wellness, lifelong learning, and intergenerational initiatives for seniors and families in affordable housing communities in California and Oregon. We know that continued engagement in community building has a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, therefore, our programming is developed to combat the epidemic of isolation & loneliness through beneficial social connections and a strong sense of belonging for our residents and partners in the communities we serve.
We believe #CommunityMoments can create #ThrivingMoments!
Art in Review🎨🖌️ At EngAGE, we create healthy lifestyles by providing free onsite multidisciplinary art programs ranging from visual, literary, and performing arts including painting, ceramics, writing, acting, sewing, and much more. We dispel the sometimes-pervasive misconceptions such as “I am not an artist” or “I am not creative” by encouraging participation and providing support. Every day, in 2025, we saw positive outcomes as residents experimented with multiple expressions of creativity.
Celebrations in 2025 🧑🎨 🖼️ 🎭 At EngAGE, celebrations are a huge part of creating community and healthy lifestyles. Our showcases provide opportunities for residents to share their achievements and pride with their families, neighbors, and the broader community. Explorations of personal creativity provides opportunities to express oneself, and EngAGE showcases provide opportunities to share their accomplishments. Throughout 2025, we celebrated at all 43 of our communities in California and the Portland, OR metro area.
Health & Wellness in Review At EngAGE, we encourage active lifestyles. Addressing social determinants of health is intertwined within all EngAGE programming. In addition to the obvious positive impacts, exercise, gardening, yoga, and other exercise classes work to reduce isolation and loneliness while creating opportunities to cultivate connectedness. Every day in 2025, we saw these positive impacts across all 43 communities in California and the Portland, OR metro area.
Music in Review At EngAGE, we provide opportunities to learn and showcase music across many genres and experiences. Engagement in the arts provides opportunities to fulfill active lifestyles. As our former U.S. Surgeon General reminded us, active lifestyles play a greater role in aging than genetics. Throughout 2025, we saw this play out every day at all 43 communities across California and in the Portland, OR metro area.
Over the year-end holidays, EngAGE staff took time to reflect on all that the past year offered both professionally and personally. As the current Walk for Peace unfolds from Texas to Washington, D.C., the Buddhist monks offer us much to contemplate about intention, presence, and what we bring to one another. Staff shared how the residents we serve invite us to engage with aging wholeheartedly and authentically, and how affordable and supportive housing communities continually remind us of the meaningful impact EngAGE has each day.
Through shared reflection, we discovered the many ways we process time and experience. Some of us joyfully embracing the journey itself. What began as a timeline drawn on butcher block paper evolved into an art project; poetry emerged capturing the overlap between our personal and professional lives, and the ways they intertwine with one another.
Some staff reflected on how year-end contemplation can stir frustration, choosing instead to lean into emotional intelligence and connection. Others focused on preparing toolkits to support our work in 2026, catching up on administrative tasks that accumulate throughout the year, or reconnecting with old friends whose life changes prompt personal reflection. Each experience brought renewed clarity about the impact we have on one another.
We also gained new awareness of what social media and doom scrolling can take away from us and how unexpected moments, like a two-and-a-half-hour detour on a family road trip, can either heighten anxiety or offer an opportunity to practice patience. Some of us faced loss within our families and among the residents we serve, a reminder of the realities inherent in aging work, and life in its trajectory. Together, we experience time as a space, sometimes solitary, often collective, and feel gratitude for the community and connectedness that define EngAGE.
As we celebrate all that 2025 brought, we look ahead to a 2026 filled with creative connection and continued growth. Our commitment to fostering active, engaged communities remains steadfast, and we look forward to offering fresh, meaningful programming in the year ahead. Together, we are excited for what’s to come.
EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior and family housing communities into vibrant centers of art & creativity, learning, and wellness.
At EngAGE, community is something we create together one conversation and one shared moment at a time – transforming affordable senior and family housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we’re especially reminded of how powerful it is when communities gather around a table.
Across our 43 communities, we’re seeing residents come together to organize potlucks, decorate community rooms, and share their diverse traditions from many cultures and backgrounds. In addition to the food, it’s about laughter, checking in on one another, and creating a feeling of belonging that grows with every shared plate.
This Thanksgiving, we’re deeply grateful to our residents, teaching artists, partners, and supporters, all who make this work possible. Thank you for showing up for one another, for welcoming new neighbors to the table, and for helping us build spaces where creativity and connection are part of everyday life. From all of us at EngAGE, we wish you a season filled with good food, warm company, and plenty of moments to give and receive thanks.
Today, many of our residents continue to feel the strain of reduced SNAP benefits, making it harder to keep fresh, healthy food on the table. At EngAGE, we see firsthand how this creates stress for older adults and families already navigating tight budgets. That’s why we’re working to strengthen community food resources through new and existing partnerships, monthly distributions, shared meals, and programs that bring neighbors together to support one another.
While we can’t replace the full value of SNAP, we can make sure no one feels alone in facing these challenges. Your financial support allows us to continue to create spaces where food is shared and community is strengthened. Consider a donation that and helps fill the gap with connection, care, and dignity.
From all of us at EngAGE, we wish you a Thanksgiving filled with good food, warm company, and plenty of moments to give and receive thanks.
EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior, family, and intergenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
As Summer Comes to a Close, we reflect on some of EngAGE communities’ fun-filled programs offering creativity & connection! Residents took part in gardening, fitness classes, tournaments,art shows, hands-on workshops, field trips, ice cream socials, and intergenerational events—bringing vibrancy and joyfulness to our never-ending community-focus. …..
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EngAGE Gardening Clubs
Resident members rolled up their sleeves and gave our community gardens a fresh new start! Residents worked together to plant, water, and weed the gardening beds. They said goodbye to the last season’s crops and preparing the soil for a brand-new planting season. This season, residents are learning how and when to harvest the fruits of their labor—whether it’s picking ripe vegetables, cutting herbs at their peak, or collecting seeds for future planting.
Gardening provides our residents with fresh vegetables and herbs to prepare nutritional meals for themselves and their families. In addition, the community connection and physical activity both address social determinants of health promoting healthy aging through social connection.
And we all know, there’s something so special about getting your hands in the dirt, working as a team, and looking forward to the bounty ahead.
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Outdoor Fitness & Aqua-Aerobics
Summertime was in full swing at Burbank and NOHO Senior Arts Colonies and The Piedmont Senior Apartments. Residents are stretching and moving and diving into wellness with Aquatic Aerobics and Outdoor Fitness led by Fitness Instructor Jack Witt! These fun and energizing classes are the perfect way to stay active and connected during the warmer months.
With Jack’s upbeat guidance, residents work on strengthening their core, improving cardiovascular endurance, building overall strength, and increasing range of motion—all while enjoying the outdoor breeze and water. One of the key challenges they’re tackling together is balance, and this supportive environment helps everyone feel motivated and encouraged.
It’s been a stretch and a splash of fun, fitness, and community!
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Summer Fun & Fitness
EngAGE hosted the second Chair Volleyball Tournament of the year! It was an action-packed afternoon that brought together residents from both The Piedmont Senior Apartments and Burbank Senior Artists’ Colony (BSAC) for some friendly inter-community rivalry. We kicked off the event with a wonderful performance by the BSAC Choir, followed by lively music from the Piedmont House Band. Following three exciting rounds of spirited play, BSAC emerged victorious, taking home the tournament trophy. A little competition never hurts!
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Multidisciplinary Arts
Residents at Magnolia Villas proudly showcased their creations following art classes presented by Jen LaVita. Friends and family joined to celebrate the artists’ achievements, filling the room with laughter, pride, and encouragement. These twice-monthly classes continue to inspire residents—many discovering creative talents they never knew they had.
After 12 weeks of dedication and imagination with teaching artist, Nelson Leal, Olivera Senior Apartment residents showcased their work in a community art show. Seven resident-artists displayed their sketches and paintings filling the room with pride and joy. Friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate with food, wine, and dancing, making it a true community celebration.
All summer long, residents at Long Beach Senior Arts Colony have been hard at work with ceramicist Melodie Reay! From shaping clay to adding those final creative touches, their visions truly came to life. We’re beating the heat by creating indoors while preparing for an exciting garden-themed exhibition this fall. It’s inspiring to see how much talent, imagination, and joy fills the studio each week.
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EngAGE News: served w/ ice cream
EngAGE hosted a sweet Ice Cream Social at Coventry Court to share some exciting updates with our residents! Under the new ownership of Jonathan Rose Companies, we are thrilled to announce the addition of a dedicated Service Provider role right here in the community. This new role means residents will now have one-on-one support, resources, and referrals to help make life at Coventry Court even more enriching and connected. Our EngAGE staff is excited to continue building community while ensuring residents have the support they need to thrive.
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EngAGE Outings: local excursions
Residents at The Grove Senior Apartments in Garden Grove shared that they were eager for some fresh ocean air — so EngAGE made it happen! On a Friday morning the group headed out early to Newport Beach for a morning of sun, sea, and community.
Long Beach Senior Art Colony residents took a special trip to the California African American Museum for a private docent-led tour. A highlight was the vibrant work of artist Nellie Mae Rowe (1900–1982)—whose inspiring journey and deep meaningful art left residents truly captivated.
Residents of Magnolia @ 9th enjoyed a special outing to see Sinners at a local Cinemark theater. Traveling together by Uber and Lyft, the group arrived at the luxury cinema featuring reclining seats and self-serve drinks. EngAGE provided tickets and treats, ensuring the day was both easy and enjoyable—a true movie-going experience to remember!
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Outdoor Summer Fun in Oregon
Canvas Paintings with Water Blasters: In Art Nook at Broadleaf Arbor, they took creativity outdoors for a fun, colorful, and delightfully messy project! Kids used water blasters to spray vibrant paint onto their own initial canvases, turning the afternoon into a lively mix of art, laughter, and splashes. The bold, personalized art masterpieces brought lots of happy, paint-splattered smiles!
Water Play Day: Volunteers from the South Salem Church of the Nazarene gave the residents at Mahonia Crossing a fun-filled water play day to cool off in the summer heat. The kids enjoyed soaring down the slip-and-slide on whimsical inflatables, playing with water blasters and water balloons, and a chance to see inside a fire truck and chat with firefighters. Everyone enjoyed refreshing watermelon and lots of laughter.
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EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior, family, and intergenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
EngAGE partners with Write Around Portland to provide safe and supportive environments for residents to focus on personal growth to share their stories.
Stacey’s Journey of Resilience and Empowerment Through Writing
Patton Home resident, Stacey, stepped into facing and overcoming extraordinary challenges in her life, including homelessness, abuse, and the difficult path to finding proper mental health support. Her courage to seek support and to keep moving forward is a testament to her resilience and inner strength.
Throughout late winter and into spring, Stacey became part of a powerful creative experience. Through Write Around Portland writers workshop, she faced her challenges head on. This program provided her with a safe, supportive space to explore her story, and connect with others, and develop her voice as a writer.
Her hard work paid off. This June, Stacey stood up before a live audience at the Author Celebration and read her story aloud. That moment wasn’t just significant for her, but a transformative one for everyone present. Her words carried deep emotion and truth, offering hope, healing, and inspiration.
Write Around Portland played a vital role in helping Stacey find a creative way to tell her story with confidence. The workshop gave her a willingness to share her skills and nurtured her voice which has made a lasting impact.
Patton Home is incredibly proud of Stacey, not only for what she accomplished, but for the strength it took to get there. Her story is a reminder that with the right support, compassionate communities, and a safe space to create incredible transformation is possible.
Finding Her Voice: Michelle’s Journey Through Write Around Portland
This spring marked a quiet yet powerful milestone for Cascadian Terrace Resident Michelle. She returned to the Write Around Portland workshop where she spent twelve weeks weaving words into stories, community into connection, and doubt into confidence.
Michelle calls herself “the most reluctant artist,” a title she wears with a kind of humble honesty. But every week, she showed up. Pen in hand, heart on sleeve, she leaned into the unknown. “I just really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get one-on-one writing support,” she said. And so she did—fully and fearlessly.
As the weeks passed, something shifted. With each writing prompt and shared reading, her voice grew steadier. Encouraged by kind facilitators and inspired peers, Michelle found not just the structure of a story, but her own story—one worth telling, one worth celebrating.
That growth came to light during the culminating Author Celebration, where participants shared their work before a live audience of friends, family, and fellow writers. Michelle was chosen to read first. She took the stage with grace and courage, opening the evening with a voice once hesitant, now full of purpose.
In that moment, the reluctant artist became the brave storyteller, proof that sometimes, all it takes is a little space, a little support, and a lot of heart to turn a whisper into a voice that soars.
Write Around Portland is dedicated to the transformative power of writing and the well-being that follows from respectful, shared community experiences. Their programs are designed to show participants that they are already writers. That their stories are worthwhile not just for their content but how they’re told. They bring our programming directly to the people who need it, writing with them in convenient places where they already live or receive services.
EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior, family, and intergenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
At Mahonia Crossing community located in Salem, Oregon, the path to kindergarten just became a little brighter, thanks to a powerful three-part event series called “Ready for Kinder.” Hosted by Engage NW, in partnership with the Salem Keizer School District, and Salem for Refugees, this initiative brought together families, educators, and community partners to prepare our youngest learners—and their parents—for their journey into education.
Designed for expectant parents and families with children aged 0–5, the Ready for Kinder series wasn’t just about school readiness; it was about community readiness—ensuring families feel confident, connected, and supported in this important stage of life.
Part 1: Setting the Stage for Kindergarten Success
The first event in the series welcomed Mahonia Crossing families into a warm inclusive environment where language access and community care were top priorities. Interpretation was provided in six languages—Swahili, Arabic, Ukrainian, Spanish, Dari, and Pashto—to reflect and honor the rich diversity of our community.
Parents received resource bags from the Salem Keizer School District, filled with age-appropriate materials to promote early learning at home. Guest speaker Michael Finlay of This Is Fatherhood, LLC. guided families through how to use each item, making learning feel approachable and fun.
With on-site childcare and arts and crafts activities were provided where children were joyfully engaged while parents gained valuable insights. The day ended with a shared meal, giving families the chance to build connections with others who are sharing similar journeys.
Part 2: Building Confidence, Bridging Cultures
As the series continued, it became clear that Ready for Kinder was doing more than offering school prep tips—it was helping families combat isolation and build a shared sense of community and purpose.
The second event reinforced these goals by encouraging families to lean into their strengths and cultural backgrounds. By providing interpretation services and creating opportunities for connection, the event ensured no one felt left behind.
Families once again received resource bags, this time with practical tips from educators and specialists to encourage learning routines at home. The catered meal created a space where language barriers melted away, and stories flowed freely among neighbors. Children participated in guided play while parents asked questions, shared experiences, and grew their confidence as their child’s first teacher.
Part 3: Celebrating Community and Looking Ahead
The final installment of the series was not only a culmination of months of planning and participation—it was a celebration of the Mahonia Crossing community. The event maintained its commitment to accessibility, offering interpretation in all six languages once again.
Each family received tools and knowledge tailored to help them navigate their child’s educational journey with assurance. A guest speaker encouraged families to see themselves as partners in education and champions of their children’s growth.
While children explore art projects and play in a safe, engaging environment, parents took part in rich conversations and reflection. The shared meal continued to be a bridge for connection, deepening the roots of trust and togetherness within the community.
As the final event came to a close, what lingered wasn’t just the sound of laughter or the hum of conversations in many languages—it was the feeling of belonging. Families left feeling empowered, not only with resources in hand but with a newfound belief that they are ready, and their children are too.
