Since its founding in 2016, Northeast Village PDX has become a source of community and connection for its members and volunteers alike. Northeast Village was started by a group of dedicated citizens who sought to find a way to grow old while remaining in their homes and who wished to remain active in their community. Inspired by the efforts of what is now Beacon Hill Village in Boston, Northeast Village was formed.
In January 2023, Northeast Village officially became a program of the Northeast Community Center and serves 17 neighborhoods in NE Portland, including Beaumont-Wilshire.
Using a neighbors-helping-neighbors model, volunteers provide members a range of services including transportation, yard work, tech support, assistance with home organization, friendly visits, and more. Additionally, members enjoy a host of social/educational activities, grief and caregivers’ support groups, and special interest groups, including book, movie, art, and writers’ groups and a men’s cooking group, all of which have the added benefit of being close to home.
As a member-driven program, activities and programming are generated by Village members. Social events such as morning coffee groups, dinner outings, and Village-wide gatherings are central to Village life. Additionally, the Village hosts a variety of educational programs such as birdwatching outings, science presentations, workshops, death and dying programs, and more. These and other activities offer members opportunities to stay engaged and foster new connections, all of which are particularly important given the U.S. Surgeon General’s report (tinyurl.com/mucjh36a) on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
These activities and events are just a taste of what Village life has to offer. If you or a loved one is interested in learning more about membership or volunteer opportunities, the Village hosts monthly introductory presentations; more info can be found at tinyurl.com/53keh6mm or by calling (503) 895-2750.