We foster collaborative engagement to advance equity in Washington County.
February Observances
Join VAN in celebrating Black History Month throughout February! Our Community Events Calendar has a list of events and activities happening in Washington County and online.

Find more learning and engagement opportunities along with ways to support local Black-owned businesses on these great resource pages from your local communities:
VAN Convenings and News
Thank you to everyone who attended adVANce this year! In our 13th year of bringing funders and nonprofits together to explore new partnerships, we hosted nearly 170 participants - a record number!
We are grateful to all 21 funders who attended, our amazing panelists, and our event sponsors Columbia Bank, City of Beaverton, and Heritage Bank!
Mark your calendars NOW for next year's adVANce on Wed, January 24, 2024!
Our Behavioral Health Job Fair & Career Conference attracted over 50 participants who braved the snow in Beaverton on January 21 to join us!

We hosted an excellent panel discussion on Perspectives on Behavioral Health with Jill Archer - CareOregon; Julie Ibrahim - New Narrative; Dr. Ruth Zúñiga - Raíces de Bienestar; Rep. Rob Nosse - Oregon State Legislature; and Marcia Hille - Sequoia Mental Health Services.
Ten employers joined us to network and share job opportunities! You can help in our efforts to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Washington County and beyond by supporting their work and sharing their career pages:
Interested in working collaboratively to address behavioral health in Washington County? Email VAN Executive Director Glenn Montgomery at glenn@visionactionnetwork.org.
VAN is facilitating a series of events for the regional partnership organized under the Tree for All program, and we are inspired by the dedication of the 40+ organizations and jurisdictions who are part of this collaborative. 

Since 2005, Tree for All has focused on the health of the Tualatin River watershed, and VAN is helping them imagine what more they can do together.

Nearly 50 people attended the most recent gathering on January 19 which included a conversation with guest panelists from Sunset High School, Centro Cultural, and Franco Reforestation.

Contact Jill Erickson at ericksonj@cleanwaterservices.org to learn more about Tree for All. If you are interested in engaging with VAN for your facilitation needs, reach out to glenn@visionactionnetwork.org.
Get Engaged!
Visit our Community Events Calendar for opportunities to engage meaningfully in your community!
Featured Event
Fri, Feb 24, 7:30pm
Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center, McCready Hall
Pacific University

Join Pacific University's Music Department in a celebration of music by African-American composers in Honor of Black History Month.

The performance in McCready Hall will feature guest artist LaRhonda Steele and The Group. Judy Rose will direct the Catlin Gabel School Choir and the Pacific University Concert Choir, and Dr. Scott Tuomi will direct the Pacific University Chamber Singers.
Featured Event
Tue, Feb 28, 5-6:30pm
Zoom Meeting

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce Black Advisory Business Council is hosting a free online panel discussion in celebration of Black History Month.

Adesina Cameron
Broker Owner/Mortgage Planning Specialist, Ventura Home Loans 
Lance Randall
Executive Director, Black Business Association of Oregon
Tony Kelly
President, Nat'l Assoc of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Oregon Board
Your City, Your County, Your Community
The BOLD Program is a FREE civic engagement and leadership training for immigrants, refugees, and people of color in Beaverton. Applications due by February 19, 2023.
Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine wants to meet with you! You’re invited to Chat with the Chief on Monday, February 13th from 6-7 PM at the Summerfield Clubhouse (10650 SW Summerfield Dr.) No RSVP necessary.
THPRD is a special purpose local government formed to administer park and recreation services within the City of Beaverton and portions of unincorporated Washington County. Two positions are open, with an election filing deadline of March 16. elections May 16, and terms from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.
The Board of County Commissioners will hold their first Town Hall of the year, focused on the budget development process and financial challenges that the County is facing. Community members are invited to attend either in-person or via Zoom on Thursday, February 23 at 6:00pm.

The Department is looking for six community members to participate in their Grant Review Committee for the Community Prevention Strategies to Improve Social and Emotional Wellness Across the Lifespan Grant. Participants will preferably represent or identify with culturally specific or racially diverse communities. Commitment will include three hour-long meetings in March. Participants will receive $100 gift cards. Please email lyndi_petty@washingtoncountyor.gov to request an application.
Metro is actively recruiting for six open seats on the Committee on Racial Equity (CORE), a diverse group of community advocates who advise Metro Council on strategies to advance racial equity across Metro's work areas. Applications due Feb 15.
TEAC provides insight and guidance to TriMet’s General Manager on issues of equity, access and inclusion. TriMet invites people who are either part of local community organizations or represent a community group to apply by March 1, 2023.