Upriver Village announces July 1 launch to help older residents stay in their homes

Troutdale — Jane Foreman, chair of the Upriver Village steering council, told the Troutdale City Council on June 24 that Upriver Village will formally launch July 1 with a public celebration at Main City Park in Gresham.

Foreman described Upriver Village as a nonprofit designed to help neighbors aged 55 and older (and disabled residents of any age) remain living in their own homes through social activities and volunteer services. The group has been offering social and educational activities for about a year and will begin filling member service requests on July 1. Foreman invited city representation at the ribbon-cutting and described the launch as a community “blast-off.”

Councilors asked clarifying questions about eligibility and services. Foreman said the organization serves people 55 and over in Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village and that eligibility may extend to residents in unincorporated Multnomah County who have a Troutdale address; she also said the villages’ volunteers provide most service tasks and that paid staff are rare in the network. Foreman noted a premium membership option ($40 per month) that provides 24 hours of service, a rate she compared to private in-home care costs.

Why it matters: Village models provide volunteer-driven supports that can help older adults delay or avoid institutional care by providing transportation, handyman assistance and social connection. Upriver Village’s launch expands such services in East Multnomah County.

Next steps: Upriver Village will begin accepting service requests July 1 and will operate under Villages Northwest as its fiscal sponsor. Councilors expressed support and said they expected the city to be represented at the launch event.