GIVING BACK
We get to inspire, rather than retire
You know what doesn’t change when you retire? Your skills. Whether you were a judge or accountant, teacher or musician, your talents, drives and desires come with you. That’s why our Social Accountability program is all about taking those skills and putting them to work – for others.
How our Members give back
Community involvement beyond Terwilliger Plaza
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7,000
Fun fact: Members gave over 7,000 volunteer hours in one year.
Why not inspire over retire?
So many do so by joining the Conversation Partner Project, where Members get to share stories with immigrant peers while helping them learn English. Others opt to dig into wallets for our annual fundraising efforts. From donating socks to skills, time to tales, giving back to our community is what we do.
GIVE
The Northwest Pilot Project
Open your hearts — and your wallets — with this new fundraiser for the Northwest Pilot Project. Starting 2024 the Housing Seniors Hootenanny replaced the annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for housing solutions for low-income seniors. In its first year, the Terwilliger Plaza community raised a remarkable $16,903.40 and won Top Fundraising Team and the Community Impact Award.
SERVE
Serve on the
Board of Directors
Did you work at a non-profit in your former work life? Were you an attorney, CPA, or have business skills that are ready to be revived? Run for a seat on the Board of Directors for Terwilliger Plaza or the Terwilliger Plaza Foundation. Serving on the Board is a great way to represent your neighbors and help make decisions that impact the entire community.
TALK
The Conversation Partner Project
The Conversation Partner Project is exactly what it sounds like: talking. Our Members meet with a community of senior immigrants once a week, sharing stories as a way to help them learn English. They talk, share food and laugh, which is great in any language.
Who we support
Our Social Accountability Committee plays a critical role in organizing and activating our community in support of underserved populations in the greater Portland area, focusing on seniors’ health, basic needs and education. Together, we make a substantial impact.
SUPPORTING EDUCATION
Monthly volunteering at the Free Teachers Warehouse helps to fundraise and collect school supplies including pencils, rulers, scissors, backpacks and more for Schoolhouse Supplies to support teachers and students.
FILLING CUPBOARDS
We are proud to support Lift Up Portland and the Oregon Food Bank through food and monetary donations. Over the years, our community has donated thousands of pounds of food.
SPREADING JOY
For over a decade, we've volunteered with Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) to help bring joy to refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures. 2023 marked 14 years of participating in the Holiday Stocking Project to bring joy to low-income seniors during the holiday season.
EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
Our year-round collection basket collects toiletries for Path Home (formerly Portland Homeless Family Solutions) and extra books from our Terwilliger Plaza library are donated to Street Books, a mobile library that serves homeless and under-resourced people in Portland, Oregon.
Together, we make a difference
Learn more about how we make a difference in our community and beyond in our 2023 Social Accountability Annual Report.
Membership has its perks
Being a Member at our senior living community in Portland, Oregon has its advantages.