Congratulations to Maria Rojo de Steffey, Executive Director, EngAGE Northwest, and her husband, Dan Steffey, Housing and CFAA Advocate, who were honored with a 2023 Ageless Award. The award is given annually by the Oregon non-profit AGE+ to individuals who are 75 years or older, demonstrate the importance of living a purposeful life, and continue to make significant contributions to society: as volunteers, philanthropists, mentors, and civic leaders. Please scroll down for more information and photos of the event.
Left to right: EngAGE Northwest Board member Dr. Elizabeth Flores, Dan Steffey, Maria Rojo de Steffey, EngAGE CEO/Founder Tim Carpenter, EngAGE Northwest Board Member Craig Kolins, EngAGE COO Nancy Goodhart
About Maria and Dan:
A member of a large Hispanic family, Maria was the first of ten siblings to earn a college degree. Her career is marked by significant accomplishments in community service and public affairs, among the more notable; Co-founder of Hacienda Community Development Corporation, two terms as Multnomah County Commissioner, creator and co-chair of the Vital Aging Task Force (a precursor to Portland’s designation as the first Age-Friendly City in the U.S.), a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and member of numerous nonprofit boards. In her third post-retirement career, she serves as Executive Director of EngAGE Northwest.
Dan’s multi-decade career in affordable and special needs housing has resulted in homes for people afflicted with chemical dependency, foster children, seniors, and families and individuals seeking to grab the first rungs on the ladder to self-sufficiency. His work earned him the honor of directing a development team twice named one of the nation’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers and consulting with another developer that made this list multiple times. Dan was the Wisdom Officer for Community Development Partners from 2016-2022.
Currently, Dan and Maria bring decades of experience in social equity and racial justice to an affordable housing model called Community for All Ages. This intentionally intergenerational housing development model embraces interdependence and engages all residents regardless of age, financial status, cultural heritage, racial and gender identity, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs. Projects are currently in construction in La Grande, St. Helens, and Salem, providing highly affordable housing and programming to over 630 households.
The 2023 Ageless Award winners!
Watch a video of the awards ceremony on YouTube! The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of AGE+.
AGE+ was created to champion a new vision for successful and equitable aging for all Oregonians by empowering communities, linking generations and stimulating innovation to make longer life an opportunity, not a burden, especially for isolated and underserved older adults in rural areas.
