About Us
Mission & History
Mission: Bridge Meadows creates and inspires intergenerational communities, enriching the well-being of children, families, and elders.
Social Purpose: Permanency of home and family for children and youth impacted by foster care.
Vision: A world where every child has a home and family, every parent has the resources to thrive, and every elder is cherished.
History:
In 2004, inspired by the book Hope Meadows by Wes Smith, Rhonda Meadows and her friend Pam Resnick traveled to Rantoul, Illinois to meet Dr. Brenda Eheart and see the Hope Meadows community firsthand.
After spending an inspirational Fourth of July weekend at Hope Meadows, Rhonda and Pam said “Let’s do this!,” feeling called to create a similar community in Oregon. This began a six-year process of due diligence and building local support within City Hall, eventually resulting in the creation of Bridge Meadows.
Since its founding in 2005, Bridge Meadows has replicated affordable intergenerational communities, expanding upon the principles of GHDC to include intentional, trauma-informed architectural designs that heal individuals in community, and our leadership teams have committed to doing more.
There remains an urgent need for affordable housing placements for foster youth, adoptive parents, and elders in the state and region, and Bridge Meadows plans to help meet those needs. Visit our Communities page to stay updated on our expansion.
Communities
When we’re connected, we belong
Bridge Meadows isn’t just a place where people live. It’s where people find — or regain — connection, purpose, and family.
Each Bridge Meadows community is designed to encourage connection between the generations. Most Bridge Meadows adoptive parents are kinship relations, which has been shown to be more beneficial to the youth’s development. To meet the needs of families adopting sibling groups, we build townhomes to accommodate 3-4 children.
Click here for a tour of our family homes.
Click here for a tour of our elder apartments.
Interested in living at a Bridge Meadows community? Click here to learn more about the qualifications or contact us at property@bridgemeadows.org.
NORTH PORTLAND
Address: 8502 N. Wayland Ave., Portland, OR 97203
Year opened: 2011
Neighborhood: Portsmouth
Family Homes: 9
Elder Apartments: 27
Special Features & Amenities: Bridge Meadows North Portland includes several green features, including bio-swales, an ecological method of stormwater management, and garden boxes located in the central courtyard. The community also features a multi-purpose community room, library and computer room, the Bridge Meadows Resident Art Gallery (BRAG) and rock garden, and multiple therapy rooms.
BEAVERTON
Address: 5995 SW Menlo Drive, Beaverton, OR 97005
Year opened: 2017
Neighborhood: Central Beaverton
Family Homes: 9
Elder Apartments: 32
Special Features & Amenities: Bridge Meadows Beaverton features garden boxes, a multi-purpose community room with wall-to-wall windows, a beautiful second-story community room overlooking the courtyard, a laundry room, and multiple therapy rooms.
REDMOND
Address: 2582 NW Kingwood Ave, Redmond, Oregon 97756
Year Opened: 2021
Neighborhood: Redmond, Oregon, in the Maple Meadows single-family development built by Hayden Homes
Family Homes: 10
Elder Apartments: 26
Special Features & Amenities: This is our first community outside the Portland metro area and in a rural region. Bridge Meadows Redmond features beautiful views of the Cascades, which surround the community, a log scramble for youth to play on, and welcoming community spaces for events, activities, and therapy sessions.
TACOMA – coming in 2027!
Address: East McKinley Avenue and East 60th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404
Family Homes: 16
Elder Apartments: 44
Timeline: Construction on this project begins in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed in September of 2027. If you would like to be added to the interest list, email property@bridgemeadows.org.
More communities coming soon! Sign up for our general newsletter to receive updates from our team as we expand.
DOROTHY LEMELSON HOUSE & NEW MEADOWS PROGRAM
Address: 8710 N Dana Avenue, Portland, OR 97203
Year opened: 2018
Neighborhood: Portsmouth, kitty-corner to Bridge Meadows North Portland
Units: 10 studios, 5 one-bedroom apartments (including one unit for the Resident Advisor)
Special features: Bridge Meadows created New Meadows in partnership with New Avenues for Youth. New Meadows is located one block from Bridge Meadows North Portland, giving young people the opportunity to create relationships with elders and families. This community serves young people ages 17-24 who have aged out of the foster care system, providing them with support in achieving their academic and career goals. New Meadows is a transitional housing program managed by New Avenues for Youth.
Live Here
Changing the world, starting with how we live
Please review these requirements carefully before contacting us. If you have additional questions, check out the Resident Qualifications section of our FAQ page.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILIES
- Must be referred to Bridge Meadows through an Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare case manager.
- Must be in the process of adopting or permanently fostering youth, ideally sibling groups.
- A desire to participate in community living.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ELDERS
- Must be 55+ years old.
- A desire to participate in community living.
- Must pass a criminal background check.
Contact us at property@bridgemeadows.org for more information.
Equity
A place of belonging for all
At Bridge Meadows, we believe that all people have a right to flourish in a caring community. Bridge Meadows and Bridge Meadows’ communities are formed by people from a diversity of races, genders, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, incomes, marital statuses, ages, geographic locations, and philosophies. Bridge Meadows is committed to creating communities that are equitable and welcoming, where all people find a place of belonging.
Bridge Meadows addresses multiple social issues facing our communities – aging, foster care, health, and housing – and racism plays a central role in creating and upholding these disparities. We know that in order to accomplish our goals as an organization, we must engage with antiracism work at all levels.
Board of Directors
Living a mission that transforms lives
Bridge Meadows is lucky to have a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors who work hard to make our vision a reality.
Board Officers
Board Co-Chair: Anna Allen (she/her/hers) | Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Board Co-Chair: Thomas Bahrman (he/him/his) | Bahrman Law
Secretary: Gayle Meyer (she/her/hers) | MeyerPro
Treasurer: John Wied (he/him/his) | Walsh Construction Co.
Past Chair: Michael Schrader (he/him/his), JD | Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Board Members
Jason Haggart (he/him/his) | Shelter Forest International
Lisa Murphy (she/her/hers) | Cambia Health Solutions
John Peterson (he/him/his) | ESD 112
Dan Saltzman (he/him/his) | Retired, Former Portland City Commissioner
Serena Stoudamire Wesley (she/her/hers) | Oregon Department of Transportation
Pat Welch (she/her/hers) | Boly:Welch
Dr. Derenda Schubert (she/her/hers) | Executive Director, Bridge Meadows
Emeritus Council
In 2024, we were excited to launch the Bridge Meadows Emeritus Council, a new chapter that honors the incredible contributions of our esteemed board members who have been instrumental in our growth and success. These individuals have played a pivotal role in shaping our organization and advancing our mission. Their guidance, wisdom, and tireless support have left an indelible mark, and we are pleased to honor them by inviting them to join our Emeritus Council. This special designation reflects our deep appreciation for their many years of service and ensures their continued involvement in our journey.
Oscar Arana
Shannon Eckmann
Brian Goff
Heather Killough
Leah King
Madeleine Rose
Katie Schoen
Andrew Tweedie
We are deeply grateful to these champions for their unwavering commitment to Bridge Meadows and their nearly 100 years of combined service.
Staff
Our incredible staff team brings our mission to life every day with passion, dedication, and a deep commitment to our community. Meet the people working behind the scenes to create inclusive, affordable housing and vibrant intergenerational connections.
Executive Leadership Team
Derenda Schubert (she/her/hers), Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Derenda M. Schubert, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and nationally recognized advocate for intergenerational community building. As the CEO of Bridge Meadows, she has advanced a visionary model that brings together youth, families, and elders to create vibrant, supportive neighborhoods rooted in belonging, healing, and joy.
Dr. Schubert’s background in clinical psychology, combined with her leadership in nonprofit innovation, community development, and systems change, gives her a rare ability to translate human needs into community-based solutions. Her work is grounded in empathy, driven by data, and guided by the belief that healing happens best in relationships. With decades of experience across child welfare, aging, mental health, and housing, she builds bridges between sectors and people, turning bold ideas into places where all generations can thrive.
These efforts have been recognized by the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, which cite Bridge Meadows as a model for addressing the social determinants of health through connection and community. She has been a reviewer for the World Health Organization’s “Connecting Generations – Planning and Implementing Interventions for Intergenerational Contact” report and a contributor to the Healthier Lives Across Generations: A Blueprint for Intergenerational Living sponsored by Generations United in collaboration with the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Dr. Schubert is the author of The Power of a Joyful Village: How Intergenerational Solutions and Age-Friendly Communities Can Heal Us All.
An international keynote speaker and TEDx presenter, Dr. Schubert is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, an Encore Public Voices Fellow, and an Eisner Prize recipient. Her leadership has been recognized by the Portland Business Journal as a Woman of Influence, and by Portland Monthly Magazine’s Light A Fire Award. Additionally, she serves as the Chair of the American Heart Association, Oregon and Southwest Washington, and the Vice Chair of Goodwill Industries of the Columbia-Willamette. Every day she is inspired by the love of her grandmothers and her children.
Brooke Gray (she/her/hers)
Chief Operating Officer
Brooke is passionate about creating communities that care for one another and has worked locally and internationally with rapidly growing organizations. She joined the Bridge Meadows team in the spring of 2025 and brings two decades of experience in program development, strategic growth, partnerships, government relations, and community engagement.
Over the last 10 years, Brooke led a Portland-originated initiative called Every Child to become a statewide effort, then worked with child welfare government agencies and dozens of nonprofit and private agencies to launch Every Child in other states. This model blended grassroots community-based work with data and marketing to improve outcomes for children and families impacted by foster care across the board by inviting the community to bring what they could to the table.
It’s this heartbeat – community as the solution – that motivates her every day in her work at Bridge Meadows!
Outside of work, Brooke loves adventuring with her family, getting outside, having deep conversations with friends, moving her body, reading, and serving her community.
Maryam Bolouri, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Real Estate Broker (Oregon)
Maryam joined the Bridge Meadows team in June of 2024. She earned a B.S. in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of Sussex, her Ph.D. in Operations Research and Statistics from Oregon State University, and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Oregon. She has 30 years of experience in operations, finance, facility management, affordable housing, and real estate. She has served as CFO and CEO of non-profit organizations, managing $46 million in revenue and 175 staff. Maryam has also served as owner’s rep and has managed multiple affordable housing development projects with budgets of $60 million and up to 172 units. She is passionate about combining her operational and financial background to further the mission of nonprofits and affordable housing projects.
Atalanta Powell (she/her/hers)
Chief Advancement Officer
Staff
Sierra Barnes (she/they)
Advancement Manager
Sierra joined Bridge Meadows in the fall of 2018 as an AmeriCorps VISTA member after graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy from Pacific University, Oregon. At Pacific, her educational career focused on community engagement, ethical living, and effective altruism. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Brown to serve as a commissioner for OregonServes, a group that works to increase volunteerism, promote national service, and oversee Oregon’s AmeriCorps programs and grantees. On the commission, she is a member of the Equity & Inclusion Committee and has been the Public Policy & Education Committee Chair since 2021. Sierra also proudly serves on the Pacific University Alumni Association’s Board of Representatives, where she is a member of the Enrollment & New Student Support Committee.
In her spare time, Sierra enjoys time with friends, hiking, watching films, video gaming, photography, writing, and reading. Her hairstyle changes every few months, and she is passionate about food and housing insecurity, coffee, queer issues, and racial justice.
Diane Brandsma (she/her/hers), M.A.
Community Support Manager, Beaverton
Diane joined the Bridge Meadows team in the spring of 2024 and brings 30+ years of experience working in the field of mental health and human services. She has a B.S. in Sociology from Grand Canyon University in Arizona and an M.A. in Counseling from Denver Seminary in Colorado. Her experience includes working in various roles in residential and foster care programs, including case management, adolescent and family therapy, and program leadership. She embraces a relationship-centered, strengths-oriented approach and is collaborative in nature. She is committed to social justice advocacy and continuing to learn and grow in cultural humility. The intergenerational approach to building a healthy and supportive community resonates deeply with Diane, and she is thrilled to be a part of the Bridge Meadows mission.
Diane is actively involved with Rotary International, an intergenerational service organization, and is a member of a club in the Portland area. Diane enjoys gathering with family and friends, participating in nature activities – hiking, camping, gardening – as well as cooking or settling in with a good book.
Ian Carrick (he/him/his)
Community Support Coordinator, Redmond
Ian joined the Bridge Meadows team in March 2026. Since 2016, he has organized events for people to sing together—neighbors, students, C-suite executives, educators, healthcare workers, rehab patients, unhoused folks, and more. Under the banner of this passion project, Open Hub Singing, Ian learned that curated, shared experiences can catalyze relationships, which in turn can lead to community-wide flourishing.
Ian comes from a history of addiction and recovery. He knows that the power of community can transform lives. After working for five years in public schools in his hometown of Bend, Oregon, Ian is ready to take his event planning, facilitation, and relational skills to the next level, becoming a stone in the bridge between generations.
Outside of work, Ian loves to hang out with his wife and kids, hack away at the fiddle, tinker in the garden, and make music with friends.
Andrea Cornwell (she/her/hers), MSW, CSWA
Community Support Manager, North Portland
Andrea is the Community Support Manager at Bridge Meadows’ North Portland community. Her journey with Bridge Meadows began in 2023 as a Community Support intern. After earning her Master of Social Work (MSW) from George Fox University, she transitioned into the full-time Community Support Manager role she holds today.
Andrea draws on experience in inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings, supporting at-risk high school students in public schools, and partnering with young adults in need of socio-emotional and academic support. Grounded in strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches, she integrates evidence-based clinical social work into the community context by walking alongside individuals and families and honoring their agency and resilience. She also enjoys incorporating artistic expression and creative interventions whenever possible.
She is passionate about designing and facilitating programs that create common ground across generations through shared experience and everyday community life. Andrea approaches her work with curiosity, equity, creativity, and compassion, and is committed to fostering resilience through therapeutic and programmatic care for youth, families, and older adults.
Outside of her professional life, Andrea enjoys cooking and sharing meals with friends and family, creating and learning about art, playing volleyball with her husband, and is still deciding if she enjoys running or not.
Yohana Diaz Gonzalez (she/her/hers)
Portland Metro Community Support Coordinator
Yohana joined the Bridge Meadows team in April of 2023 as a cleaning technician. In 2025, she transitioned into the program team as the Portland Metro Community Support Coordinator, where she works closely with the Community Support Managers in North Portland and Beaverton, helping to foster welcoming, connected, and supportive experiences for community members of all ages.
Yohana is passionate about creating clean, beautiful, and safe spaces to ensure residents feel seen, respected, and at home. Yohana was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States in 2014. Family is a fundamental part of Yohana’s life; she is a single mother of two kiddos, a girl and a boy. When not working, she loves spending time with her children and animals, being in nature, and cooking. She loves people and is so happy and grateful to be part of the Bridge Meadows team!
Savanah Hendrix (she/her/hers)
Property Operations Manager
Savanah Hendrix started with Bridge Meadows in July 2023 as the Property Operations Manager. She brings 10 years of experience in Multifamily Property Management. Savanah has worked with individuals in long-term care facilities and spends her weekends caring for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her spouse, their two teenagers (a daughter and son), three dogs, and one cat. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, baking, being in nature, camping, and fishing with her family. She is an avid Disney fan and loves Stitch!
Nicole Kessell (she/her/hers)
Community Support Manager, Redmond
Nicole joined Bridge Meadows in March 2026, bringing several years of experience working with adjudicated youth and young people involved in the foster care system. Most recently, she has supported community members experiencing houselessness in Central Oregon through case management and outreach.
Nicole spent much of her childhood abroad, and this lived experience influenced her educational pursuits and informed her beliefs regarding the importance of community and intergenerational living. She holds a B.A. in International Studies from Frostburg State University and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Oregon, where her studies focused on community development, migration, identity and belonging, and the spatiality of social interaction.
Outside of her work at Bridge Meadows, Nicole enjoys live music, hiking, and spending time with her dogs, Hank and Cletus.
Barry Lawrence (he/him/his)
Program Director
Barry – who joined the Bridge Meadows team in 2026 – is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is passionate about servant leadership and has built his career around strengthening teams, improving systems, and helping organizations better support the communities they serve.
Most recently, Barry served as Program Director at The Salvation Army, where he led operations for an 80-bed transitional program supporting adults in recovery. In this role, he partnered with staff and community agencies to ensure services were coordinated, effective, and centered on the people being served, while also developing staff and strengthening program operations.
Before moving into the nonprofit sector, Barry spent 15+ years leading healthcare operations with organizations including Genentech Patient Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cencora.
Outside of work, Barry enjoys supporting The Ohio State Buckeyes football and the Cleveland Browns, playing tennis and basketball, and exploring the Pacific Northwest after recently relocating from Texas.
Kathi Nakama (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Kathi Nakama joined Bridge Meadows in June 2021 after a long career as an Administrative Assistant, which began in High Tech. Before coming to Bridge Meadows, Kathi worked in money management and then third-party benefits administration. She describes herself as a career Admin, as what she loves to do: take care of people and work with them to ensure good health, happiness, and productivity. Her goal is always to do what she can to ensure the people she supports have the time to do what they do best.
Kathi is the mother of 3 incredible, independent adult daughters and has 2 certified therapy dogs that go on many therapy visits with her. Kathi, Sandy, & Izzy (the dogs) are part of PACTT (Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams), are loved by many, and spread furry joy everywhere they go. Kathi fosters dogs in transition for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and all enjoy having house guests from time to time. In her spare time, you can find her volunteering with one or both of her dogs at Portland International Airport, charity events, DoveLewis Emergency Vet Hospital, or just enjoying long walks with her four-legged fur babies.
Katherine Vardanega (she/her/hers)
Advancement & Operations Coordinator
Katherine has been with Bridge Meadows since the summer of 2016, where she began as a Program Assistant. She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Her college career included stints in Philadelphia, Australia, and on a ship, ultimately receiving a B.A. in Public Affairs and Justice Studies from Washington State University. Outside of her work at Bridge Meadows, Katherine enjoys volunteering with local organizations near and dear to her heart, including Girls on the Run and Special Olympics Oregon. She is passionate about the Blazers, her dog Rudy, books, music, creative writing, and exploring the world both near and far.
Partners
We can't do it without you
The issues addressed by Bridge Meadows – including housing, health, aging, foster care, and mental health – are complex and cannot be solved by any one agency in one sector. We partner extensively with individuals, businesses, public agencies, civic leaders, foundations, and other non-profits to maximize our impact.
Because of your support and partnership, families and elders are able to thrive.
Program Partners
Bridge Meadows works closely with other service providers, nonprofits, schools, and churches to offer health & well-being programs onsite.
Building Partners
Bridge Meadows works with a team of architects, developers, and construction professionals to build and design each community.
Donors
Our donors are our partners in advancing the Bridge Meadows mission. Foundations, businesses, and individuals all contribute to our success. Read our most recent Annual Report for a list of donors.
Awards
Bridge Meadows is proud to have received numerous awards over the past decade for contributions to children and families, housing innovation, and intergenerational programming. You can read more about Bridge Meadows in the news here, including information about the documentary film “THE ANTIDOTE,” highlighting Bridge Meadows and other nonprofits living the values of kindness and decency in America.
2021
Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award
Bank of America selected Bridge Meadows and Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center + Rosemary Anderson High School as the two 2021 grantees of the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award. Both organizations will receive receiving grant and leadership training, as well as grants to expand mission capacity.
2020
Drenda Lakin Memorial Award
We were honored to be awarded the 2020 Drenda Lakin Memorial Award For Continuing Service to Adoptive Families by Voice For Adoption, an award given to organizations whose programs provide valuable adoptive family support after adoptions are finalized.
2019
Best Nonprofit to Work for in Oregon
Bridge Meadows was recognized as the number 4 best small nonprofit to work for in Oregon by Oregon Business
2018
Most-Transformative Project
Dorothy Lemelson House & New Meadows Program was recognized as one of the most-transformative commercial real estate project of 2018 by the Portland Business Journal
Financials
We value transparency
Support for Bridge Meadows comes from private donations, foundation grants, business contributions, and rental income. You can view our financial statements (Federal 990, Audit, and Annual Report) from the past several years below.
Federal 990
Audit
Annual Report
Impact Report
Careers
Join our team!
Thank you for your interest in working for Bridge Meadows!
Stay tuned for opportunities to join our team.
About Our Team
Our Bridge Meadows team members advance the mission every day to support children formerly in foster care through intergenerational housing solutions. Our team is passionate and dedicated to the important work we do.
Bridge Meadows is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection of candidates for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, military service, family medical history, legal source of income, gender identity, political affiliation, or family leave obligations. Currently, 27% of our staff represent racially diverse backgrounds and we aspire to continue ensuring racial diversity and life experience to reflect our community members.
We are committed to equity as a core organizational value. We encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ+ people, and people from groups who are underrepresented in philanthropy spaces to apply for these opportunities and join our team.
