Community News April 2024

April 1, 2024   Aging, Community, Elections, Homelessness, Public Safety
Sharon and Elaine present the “Powerful Tools” wokshop

Powerful Tools for Caregivers series offered

Tuesdays, April 16-May 21, 1-2:30 pm, Legacy Medical Group-Cornell, 1960 NW 167th Place  

Registration is open for Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week series designed to help unpaid family and friend caregivers learn to care for themselves while caring for others. The cost is $30 to cover the price of the handbook, but the fee will be waived if this is a hardship. Contact Susan Williams with Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services at 503-846-3089 or familycaregiversupport@washingtoncountyor.gov to sign up. 

Viva Village April news

Viva Village is a Beaverton grassroots organization of members and volunteers who focus on enhancing and expanding the ways we can age well. We provide connections, programs, volunteer services, and referrals so members can lead engaged, healthy lives. Please RSVP for all events by contacting vivavillageevents@gmail.com or 503-746-5082. Links for zoom meetings will be sent to those who RSVP. Members-only events are listed on the Viva Village website and in the web version of The News.

Viva Village events open to the public:

Online Age Café

Friday, April 5, 11 am-12 pm 

Small group conversations exploring topics of interest to older adults. Interesting new topics each session. Co-sponsored by Viva Village, Beaverton City Library, and Washington County DAVS. Registration optional. Register on the Library website to receive a reminder email.

Women’s Coffee (in person)

Wednesdays in April, 10-11 am, meet at New Seasons Market Cedar Hills, 3495 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard 

Coffee and conversation. RSVP recommended.

Online Viva Village 101

Saturday, April 13, 10-11:30 am 

An informational session for prospective members, volunteers, or anyone interested in Viva Village. Register on the website or contact the office for the Zoom link.

Online Travel Talk

Monday, April 8, 7-8 pm 

Enjoy traveling virtually to Bordeaux and the south of France with Viva Villager Gerry Lukos. RSVP for the Zoom link. Login to register on our website or contact the office.

Viva Village Forum

Monday, April 15, 2-3:30 pm, United Methodist Church, Wesley Room, 12555 SW 4th Street, free

Topic: The Beaverton Library: A Valuable Community Asset. Addie Mathis, Beaverton Library Outreach Specialist, and Beth Gilbert, Community Engagement Librarian, will talk about the wide variety of services offered, events relevant to seniors, and the challenges the library faces. Refreshments served. RSVP recommended. Register on the website calendar or contact the Viva Village office.

Men’s Coffee Break

Monday, April 22, 10-11:30 am, Ki Coffee, 4655 SW Griffith Dr. #160

Conversation and coffee. RSVP recommended.

Online Viva Village Book Club

Tuesday, April 23, 1-2:30 pm 

Selected book: “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Viva Village events for members and volunteers:

Online Tai Chi Classes

Mondays in April, 10-10:45 am  

Practice Tai Chi techniques and skills with certified instructor Richard Chew. RSVP for Zoom link.

Online Mindfulness Meditation Classes

Mondays, April, 1, 15, 22, 29, 11-11:45 am (no class 4/8). 

New series of 6 sessions starts April 15. Mindful Meditation sessions led by Martha McJacobs.

Ready or Not Workshop (members)

Series of 4 sessions. Choose between the Tuesday Series, April 2, 16, 30, & May 14, 11 am-12:30 pm at a Viva Village member’s home, or Friday Series, April 5, 19, & May 3, 17, 2-3:30 pm at the Viva Village office. 

A supplement to the SNAP binder, this workshop is a 4-session, facilitated small-group discussion to help members identify and plan for important life decisions plus identify ways to put thoughts into action. Each workshop is limited to 8. Participants are asked to attend all 4 sessions. RSVP required. Contact the office.

Viva Village Nature Walk

Saturday, April 6, 9:30 am, Commonwealth Lake Park 

Park on the street near the intersection of SW Dellwood Avenue and SW Foothill Drive. Enjoy a morning walk with Viva Village friends. RSVP recommended.

Online Women’s Coffee

Tuesdays in April, 10-11 am 

Join members and volunteers for a morning of coffee and conversation. RSVP for the Zoom link.

Living Solo Happy Hour

Thursday, April 4, 2 pm, Hops n Drops, 11274 NE Evergreen Parkway, Hillsboro

Get together for an afternoon of relaxed conversation with other Viva Village solos. RSVP is appreciated.

Life Stories

Tuesday, April 9, 2 pm, Southminster Presbyterian Church, 12250 SW Denney Road 

Lady in Waiting. Greer Brianna Davidson, friend of Viva Villager Jamila Johnson, will share her story, life as a transgender woman. Please RSVP so we have enough refreshments.

Dine Around Beaverton and Beyond

Wednesday, April 10, 1 pm, LaChona Empanadas & Vinos Argentinos, 12535 NW Cornell Road

Join members and volunteers for lunch and conversation. Wear your Viva Village name badge. Notes: there is a flight of stairs to the group eating area and pay when ordering for separate check; credit card preferred. RSVP required by 1 pm on Tuesday, April 9. Register on the website or contact the office.

Soup Lunch

Thursday, April 11, 2 pm, a private home in South Beaverton (Progress Ridge neighborhood) 

A small monthly gathering to share a meal and conversation. Vegetarian-friendly. Two soups and bread will be provided. Participant limit of 7. RSVP required. Login to register on our website or contact the office. Address sent on registration.

Living Solo (In person)

Wednesday, April 17, 12-1:30 pm, Beaverton City Library, Cathy Stanton Room, 12375 SW 5th Street

Meet in person to share experiences, tips, and strategies for living on your own. Bring your own lunch or snack. RSVP appreciated.

Mystery Book Club

Thursday, April 18, 1-2 pm. Viva Village Office, 4905 SW Griffith Drive #104

Selected book: “The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware. Space limited to 10. RSVP required to participate. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Online Living Solo

Thursday, April 18, 4-5:30 pm 

A time to share experiences, tips, and strategies for living on your own. RSVP if you need the Zoom link.

Thursday Evening Social Group

Thursday, April 25, 5:30-7:30 pm, Oasis Lebanese Cuisine, 14845 SW Murray Scholls Drive #104 

Enjoy an evening of conversation and dinner with Viva Village friends. RSVP required. Limited to 15 people. Login to register on the website or contact the office. Please notify the office if you need to cancel.

Bonamici hosts student loan workshops

Tuesday, April 9, 5-6 pm, Toulan Library, Room 770, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University, 506 SW Mill Street, Portland, free, rsvp required

Older Borrowers Student Loan Workshop, Wednesday, April 17, 2-3 pm, Elsie Stuhr Center, Fir Meeting Room, 5550 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton, free, rsvp required

Our US Representative Suzanne Bonamici’s staff will hold a series of student loan workshops in April with student loan expert Lane Thompson to answer your questions about student loans. 

The Biden-Harris Administration is addressing student loan repayment and relief with the Fresh Start program, numerous forgiveness programs, and affordable and generous income-driven payment plans that can be as low as $0 per month for eligible borrowers. Many Oregonians have questions about these program and the potential benefits. This workshop is intended to provide detailed answers and in-person assistance to borrowers.  

The workshops will cover the student loan system, tips for applying for loan forgiveness, recommendations on how to get your student loans in good standing, and information about why now is the best time to take these steps. Our student loan expert Lane Thompson will answer questions such as “Can your social security be garnished for student loan debt and what can you do to stop it?”   

Importantly, the workshop will provide information about an upcoming April 30, 2024, deadline that requires immediate action from certain borrowers to apply to have their entire student loan balance forgiven or receive more credit toward forgiveness. The U.S. Department of Education will be conducting a one-time payment count adjustment, and borrowers need to consolidate student loans for possible cancellation and adjustments. This program has already resulted in the cancellation of loan balances for more than 800,000 borrowers.     

Please RSVP and submit your student loan questions here. I hope these workshops provide you with helpful information about how to access student loan benefits and understand your rights as borrowers. Please contact my district office at (503) 469- 6010 if you have any questions or need assistance with student loans or other federal agencies.  

Lane Thompson is Oregon’s first statewide student loan ombuds. The ombuds is part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business services, and their role is helping Oregonians understand their rights about student loans and resolve complaints between borrowers and student loan servicers. Lane will do a presentation with critical information about what borrowers should know, followed by questions and answers. Please join Lane and my staff for one of our series of student loan workshops.  

TVF&R asks voters to approve a local option levy for emergency services

Voters will decide in the May 21 election whether to support Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s (TVF&R) local option levy to maintain fire and emergency medical response services and personnel hired since 2000.

Measure 34-332 proposes a replacement five-year operating levy with a rate of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a property assessed at $305,000, about the average in TVF&R’s service area, the cost of the local option levy would be about $210 per year or $17.54 a month. TVF&R’s existing levy, which was approved in 2019, will not sustain current or future fire and emergency medical service operations and is set to expire in June 2025. Under Oregon law, levies expire in five years or less and require voter approval.

Over the past five years, there has been a 23% increase in the frequency of emergency incidents in TVF&R’s service area. The District’s growing community and rising demands require more firefighters and paramedics to maintain reliable emergency response. If the replacement levy doesn’t pass, funding that pays for at least 92 of 450 TVF&R firefighters and paramedics would be lost and staffing reductions would be required, which may impact response times and reliability.

If the replacement levy passes, levy funds will retain existing first responders and add 36 more. Additional responders at existing stations will ensure prompt response times and reliability when multiple incidents happen at the same time. Levy funding will also be used to purchase specialized equipment used for medical emergencies such as cardiac monitors and defibrillators as well as critical firefighting tools, including thermal imagers that aid in search and rescue efforts and self-contained breathing apparatus worn by firefighters in burning buildings. With increased wildfire risk and a strained emergency medical system, levy proceeds will also purchase smaller vehicles used to fight wildfire, shuttle water, and transport patients. Levy funds will allow the District to add personnel who train and equip first responders.

If approved, the replacement levy would appear on the November 2025 property tax statement. This measure may cause property taxes to increase by more than 3%. TVF&R intends to maintain the same levy rate for 10 years, which will help long-term planning, ensure service stability, and provide predictability to taxpayers. For more information or to schedule a presentation, call Public Affairs Manager Stefan Myers at 503-649-8577.

Washington County serves more homeless Veterans after additional voucher award

The Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) thanks the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for their $301,998.00 award received in February, 2024. With the award, HAWC will now be able to offer rental assistance to 25 more Veterans in Washington County. This recent announcement brings the total number of Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers up to 272, from the previous 247.

“Since the national program launched in 2008, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has decreased by half across the country. VASH continues to be one of the most effective methods in combating Veteran homelessness, providing life-changing housing and wraparound services to empower some of our community’s most vulnerable members,” said Rental Assistance Division Manager Liz Morris. “This is made possible with the partnership of the VA Portland Health Care System and VASH caseworkers.” 

Washington County’s VASH program is a joint effort between HUD and the VA. HUD allocates Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly known as Section 8, to help homeless Veterans and their families to afford rent in market-rate units while the VA provides crucial case management and high-quality clinical services. HAWC receives referrals through the local Portland VA’s Community Resource and Referral Center. For more information on VASH vouchers, please visit the Washington County website.

The Housing Authority of Washington County has been providing and developing affordable housing opportunities for over 50 years. Today, the effort continues with the County’s Department of Housing Services, formed in 1992 to administer both its housing activities and programs and that of Washington County. Its mission is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promote community strength. 

Washington County Sheriff’s Office Open House

Saturday, April 13, 11-4, WCSO Public Safety Training Center, 600 Walnut St. Save your spot today.

Explore the dynamic world of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and discover a rewarding career with amazing benefits. You’ll meet our dedicated team, experience interactive demonstrations, and get an inside look into the life of a sheriff’s deputy. Learn about recruitment, training, and the diverse career paths available within our office.

Whether you’re a student planning your future or seeking a change, this event is perfect for those interested in law enforcement. Don’t miss your chance to ask questions, gain insights, and see how a career at WCSO will support you.