Sharon Singh: Community Life Manager, Social Accountability Committee
Sharon Singh
Community Life Manager,
Social Accountability Committee
One of the many committees within Terwilliger Plaza is the Social Accountability Committee. Unique in its structure, this is a joint resident Member and staff committee, led by Stephanie Roberts, Terwilliger Plaza’s Director of Community Life and facilitated by Community Life Manager, Sharon Singh. Beyond committee members, many resident Members participate throughout the year in the programs and initiatives of the Social Accountability Committee embracing community outreach and support of local non-profit organizations.
We sat with Sharon Singh to learn more about her role as Community Life Manager and the work of the Social Accountability Committee.
How long have you been with Terwilliger Plaza?
I joined Terwilliger Plaza in 2018, having learned about the community from my aunt who worked at the front desk. I first began as a part-time desk associate, which soon became full-time and then I was promoted to front desk lead. From there I transitioned to Community Life Coordinator, and now, I am the Community Life Manager.
It can be an enriching experience to rise from within an organization.
Every year I have learned something new. When I first came to Terwilliger Plaza I was looking for a career change. This has been a significant place of professional growth for me over the last six years. And with the assistance of the Terwilliger Plaza Foundation, I’m currently finishing my associate’s degree from Portland Community College.
Are you originally from Oregon?
I was born and raised here in Portland, although my family is from Fiji. I am first generation Fiji-Indian. I like to say that I am an Indian girl living in an American world.
Which departments and programs are you involved with?
Within Community Life, my position has a focus on services to resident Members and managing the front desk. Specific programs include new member orientation, working with the Welcoming Committee, oversight and programing of transportation services, and assisting in committee meetings throughout the community. I also facilitate the Social Accountability Committee.
I’m so impressed with our resident Members and how our community is organized. The amount of volunteering and commitment to giving back has been really nice to experience. Earlier this year the annual report of the Terwilliger Plaza Social Accountability was released, and it is so wonderful to be able to convey the impact that our resident Members have had on local non-profits that we collaborate with and support.
Can you talk about the theme of the report, Be The Change?
It conveys the energy and passion of Terwilliger Plaza towards volunteerism and community engagement. Also, the emergence of new resident Members with the opening of Parkview has expanded our community and opportunities for impact.
The report itself is a true community effort. We had a Front Desk Associate conduct the interviews, a resident Member contributed to the photography, Lydia Bard, our Community Life Coordinator created the design, and Stephanie Roberts and I developed the content.
What is the mission of the Social Accountability Committee?
We aim to inspire all of us at Terwilliger Plaza, both resident Members and staff, to help other non-profit organizations in our community. Through volunteering, donations, fundraising, in-kind and community outreach, our main focus is on helping underserved groups in Portland, especially seniors, by supporting their health and basic needs. We also focus on education and helping our community in general.
What are some of the non-profits that Terwilliger Plaza supports?
The Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization, Lift Up Portland & Preston’s Pantry, Northwest Pilot Project, Street Books, Schoolhouse Supplies and Path Home (Portland Homeless Family Solutions).
How are the non-profit organizations selected?
Many of the organizations align with our core values, and some of our more recent organizations were brought to the committee by resident Members. We have been with some organizations for 20 years. Our longest standing relationship is with NW Pilot Project to support their work to house very low to no-income older adults. This past year we were honored with their Northwest Pilot Project Community Impact Award.
You also support Schoolhouse Supplies.
The mission of Schoolhouse Supplies to promote educational equity in local public schools by providing free school supplies to students in need, resonates with our own beginnings. Terwilliger Plaza was founded in the 1950’s by Lesta Hoel, a retired teacher with a vision to create a retirement community for retired teachers.
Most recently, the Social Accountability Committee announced a new partnership with Rose Haven.
Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children and gender non-conforming people experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges. While this is beyond our traditional engagement with senior populations, this non-profit was recommended to us by a resident Committee Member. Their mission to maintain a safe, respectful community while providing their guests with support and services to assist them in regaining stability in their lives is a shared value that we embrace here at Terwilliger Plaza.
The Social Accountability Committee seems to exemplify the character of Terwilliger Plaza’s resident Members, known as caring, respectful, civic-minded, active, progressive and engaged individuals.
We have such wonderful support and participation from throughout the community.
What is it for you that is special about the Social Accountability Committee?
There is such passion and commitment. It’s so rewarding working within this community. There are times – moments, where a resident Member prompts me to think about something differently. That makes my day.
Learn more about how the Social Accountability Committee makes a difference in our community and beyond in our 2023 Social Accountability Annual Report.