We foster collaborative engagement to advance equity in Washington County.
VAN Convenings and News
Vision Action Network is hosting a FREE VIRTUAL career exploration and job fair event with representatives from three of Washington County’s largest employers focused on mental health, wellness, and addiction services, along with presenting sponsor Worksystems, Inc.

Participants will meet employers and have opportunities to ask questions and get advice, apply immediately for open positions, and learn about an inspiring career field!

Sessions on:
Entry Level Jobs 
Great PT and FT jobs
Flexible schedules, lots of perks
Get paid to help people
● Apply immediately!
Career Pathways
Paths to certifications or degrees
Student loan repayment options
Gaining experience in the field
Types of jobs and career potential

All attendees will be entered into a prize drawing!
Save the Date!

Our annual gathering of grantseekers and funders is coming soon, and this is one you won't want to miss!

adVANce will allow you to explore new partnerships that lead to mutual understanding, successful grant proposals, and more financial resources for your organization! This year we are pleased to have local government agencies attending, along with foundations and corporate funders.

Confirmed Funders (more to come!):
● Autzen Foundation
● City of Beaverton
● CareOregon
● The Collins Foundation
● Cultural Coalition of Washington County
● First Tech Federal Credit Union
● City of Hillsboro
● The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
● Metro
● James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
● Moda Health
● New Seasons Market 
● PGE Foundation
● Spirit Mountain Community Fund
● City of Tigard
● Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation
Save the date for this in-person event!
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 8:30-noon
Village Church, Beaverton
330 SW Murray Blvd

Mark your calendars now, pass the word along, and stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks about registration and event details.

Brought to you with support from:

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact ally@visionactionnetwork.org
Wednesday, October 19 was our last quarterly meeting of 2022 for Thrives All-Collaborative. We received an excellent update on the progress and future plans of the Preschool for All Initiative in Washington County from our guests Bridget Cooke, Executive Director of Adelante Mujeres, and Olga Acuña, Director of Federal Programs at Hillsboro School District.

VAN's Executive Director Glenn Montgomery also provided updates on the Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative, including information on our upcoming jobs and career pathways event on November 9!

Watch the recording of the meeting on YouTube and find the meeting notes here.
Mark your calendars for the next Quarterly Gathering!
Wednesday, January 18 from 8:30-10am
Finding Community Podcast
Episode 19 of Finding Community arrived just as Hispanic Heritage Month was ending, and we were pleased to have as our guest Dr. Ruth Zúñiga. Ruth is a licensed psychologist who has won awards for her work in the community. As co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Raíces de Bienestar, Ruth works to improve and strengthen the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the Latinx community in Oregon.

Glenn chatted with Ruth about her experiences growing up in rural Costa Rica, pushing up against the social norms of her evangelical Christian upbringing to eventually earn a PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology which she combines with her passion for service to the Latinx community.

Ruth speaks of the signs that have guided her path which have often come as messages from those who have supported her, whether in an Idaho college town, the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska, or in Oregon where she, her husband, and daughter have called home for nearly ten years

Find the episode and subscribe on your favorite podcast app, or at spreaker.com/show/finding-community.
November Observances
November is Native American Heritage Month, sometimes referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) for their rich and varied cultures, traditions, history, and societal contributions. Find out about ways to learn, celebrate and engage locally here:



Forest Grove Library presents this virtual event with Steph Littlebird Fogel (Grande Ronde), artist, writer, and curator. Steph will introduce local Kalapuyan history and culture and provide an overview of "This IS Kalapuyan Land," an exhibition she curated for the Five Oaks Museum. Wednesday, November 16, 6:30PM – 7:45PM
Veterans Day 2022 is Friday, November 11, a federal holiday honoring the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. In honor of Veterans Day, Washington County will participate in Operation Green Light, illuminating green the courthouse and Juvenile Services Building in downtown Hillsboro from November 7-13. Community members can light their own homes to show support.

Learn more at:
Get Engaged!
Visit our Community Events Calendar for opportunities to engage meaningfully in your community!
Featured Event
Various Dates/Times Nov 2-18
Various Locations

The 19th Annual Washington County Family Caregiver Conference for unpaid family and friend caregivers includes four free workshops and a resource fair for those that are caring for an older adult, younger adult with dementia, or grandparents or older relatives raising children.

Please note that workshops are at different times and locations. Registration is required. Free lunch provided at in-person workshops.

If you live in Washington County and have a special request for accommodation, please contact Family Caregiver Support Program know two weeks prior to the workshop(s) you plan on attending at 503-846-3089 or familycaregiversupport​@washingtoncountyor.gov.
Featured Event
6-session Class
Nov 7-Dec 12, 6:30– 8:00pm
Online

NAMI of Washington County presents a free 6-session virtual class for parents, caregivers, and other family members who provide care for youth who are experiencing mental health symptoms.

Taught by a trained team with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition, NAMI Basics Includes:
The impact mental health conditions can have on your entire family
Different types of mental health care professionals, available treatment options and therapies
An overview of the systems involved in caring for children and teens
How to prepare for and respond to crisis situations
The importance of taking care of yourself.
Your City, Your County, Your Community
Complete the library's online survey by November 19
Adults in need of shelter must enroll through Community Connect by calling 503-640-3263
Held on Tues, Oct 25, topics included: Efforts to Address Homelessness and Police Chief Hiring Process
Opened on Oct 21, offering those experiencing homelessness a secure place to sleep, peer support, and wrap-around services

Free laptops and Microsoft Office licenses offered as an extension of the Bridge high-speed internet program to qualified Hillsboro residents in need
Tigard seeks community input as they complete the final design for a new park on Steve Street
Volunteer to plant and mulch 700 native trees and shrubs along Hedges Creek, Sat, Nov 12, register online
Rebates of $1,500-$4,000 to replace old wood stoves or inserts with a new stove, insert, or other heating system

Help the county understand more about internet accessibility, affordability, and locally available internet speeds, survey available in English and Spanish
Find official ballot drop sites near you with the Oregon Drop Box Locator or mail with a valid postmark by 8pm, Nov 8
Enter the photo contest for Our Big Backyard, Metro’s quarterly parks and nature magazine, deadline is Nov 15
Tuition free online college courses for adults facing barriers to education, priority app date Dec 7, final app date Jan 16
Oregon Commission for Women seeking nominations of those working to establish economic, social, legal, political and/or health equity for women in Oregon, due Nov 30, 11:59 PM