EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior and multigenerational apartment communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
Thanks to the EngAGE Leadership Team, we all gathered in person last month for the first time since 2019 for a full day of conversation and team-building! We shared a movement session led by Liv, our Intergenerational Program Director; small group conversations about our memorable experiences on the job; and, after a tasty lunch on the patio, a presentation by motivational speaker Wendy Massey. Afterwards, many of us went on to dinner and dancing at a local restaurant with entertainment provided by the Chris Ross Band. After four years of meeting only on Zoom, it was great fun to see each other face-to-face! Click here to see an album of photos from the event.
EngAGE welcomes Jessica Hayward, Program Director at The Magnolia at Highland Senior Apartments and The Magnolia @ 9th Senior Apartments in San Bernardino, CA.
Jessica has a deep love for the arts. She graduated with honors from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She is continuing her education with a Master’s in Psychology and plans to intertwine art into her studies. Jessica translates her interests into her role as a Program Director by also teaching art classes for older adult residents.
Cutting the ribbon: Bridget Calfee, Home Plate; Jodi Enos, US Bank; Ann Silverberg, Related Northwest; Stef Kondor, Related Northwest; Kathryn Harrington, Washington County; Gerritt Rosenthal, Metro; Natasha Detweiler, Oregon Housing & Community Services; Tim Carpenter, EngAGE
Terrace Glen, a beautiful, 144-unit low-income, intergenerational development, opened on Thursday, June 29th. The large community includes apartments ranging in size from studios to four-bedrooms. The two four-story residential buildings have common amenities including a community room with kitchen, teen lounge, and art and craft space. They surround a courtyard, which includes a playground and barbecue area. EngAGE is the on-site resident services provider and will offer an array of programs with a focus on arts education.
EngAGE Founder/CEO Tim Carpenter addresses the gathering.
Terrace Glen was designed by C2K Architecture and built by Walsh Construction, with a sustainable Earth Advantage Multifamily Certification. Others involved in the financing include Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Oregon Department of Energy, the Energy Trust of Oregon, Citibank and U.S. Bank.
This article by EngAGE Websites & Social Media Manager Cynthia Friedlob is on a topic near and dear to her: appreciating the smaller life. It’s today’s Editor’s Pick! Read it here!
We are so pleased that Diego Guerrera has joined us. You can see a list of all of our dedicated Northwest Board members here.
Diego grew up on Oahu, Hawaii. He is a recent college graduate from Santa Clara University and is currently the Business Administrator at AGE+. He appreciates being able to utilize the business skills he learned from his university studies to help support the community he lives in. In his free time, Diego enjoys the rock climbing that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
EngAGE welcomes Nirvan Patnaik, Program Director at ACE/121, to our staff.
Nirvan Patnaik, an actor of South Asian descent, grew up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and studied theatre performance at the University of Southern California and the British American Drama Academy. He believes in making art and creativity more accessible to all and strives to incorporate it in every aspect of life. Nirvan finds working for EngAGE to be creative, challenging, and ultimately rewarding.
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.
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.
