Is UpRiver Village a senior living community?
No, UpRiver Village is not a place or location. It is a support network designed to help keep older adults living comfortably in their own homes and engaged in their communities as long as possible.
Is UpRiver Village a non-profit organization?
UpRiver Village will be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Our parent organization, Villages NW, will be our fiscal sponsor and will hold our tax-exempt status.
When will UpRiver Village be able to provide services to its members?
UpRiver Village is currently providing several social activities each month. Most are open to the public. Our target "launch" date, the date we hope to be able to respond to and fill member requests for services, is Jul 1, 2025.
How will UpRiver Village be funded?
UpRiver Village will be funded mostly by membership fees. Additional funding will come from grants, individual donations, and fundraising events.
How will seniors pay for services provided by UpRiver Village?
Payment is in the form of membership fees. UpRiver Village will have two levels of membership - Regular and Premium - and two options for each level - individual or couple. Please see the Membership page of our website at www.uprivervillage.org for fee details.
How were UpRiver Village membership fees determined?
The UpRiver Village Steering Council looked at the average membership fees of the ten existing Villages NW Villages and also at the most common membership fees and set our membership fees in between these two numbers.
Will membership fees be tax-deductible?
No, because members receive services valued at equal to or greater than their membership fees. However, donations are tax-deductible.
What if I'm not able to afford UpRiver Village's membership fee?
UpRiver Village will offer scholarships to members whose income is at or below 250% of the current poverty level. Membership discounts of 50% and 80% are available.
Why will I be asked to pay for services if UpRiver Village is a non-profit organization and all services are provided by volunteers?
There are costs to running any organization. Specifically, UpRiver Village will need to pay for volunteer background checks, liability insurance, printing and postage, website hosting, IT services, etc.
Can anyone become a member of UpRiver Village?
No. Members must be 55 years of age or older or be disabled. Members must live within the city limits of Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village or vote in these cities' elections. Prospective members will be interviewed to assure UpRiver Village will be able to meet their needs and expectations.
How will the services that UpRiver Village will provide be different from other services already available to seniors in the community?
Are there any limitations to the services UpRiver Village volunteers will provide?
Yes. UpRiver Village volunteers will not be able to provide:
What kind of volunteers is UpRiver Village looking for now?
UpRiver Village is currently looking for key volunteers to help with ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE CREATION:
What kinds of volunteers will UpRiver Village be looking for when it launches?
UpRiver Village will continue to need organizational and "office" help like the volunteers we're currently recruiting for. In the future, UpRiver Village will also need volunteers to provide transportation and other direct services to our senior members. We expect to start recruitment of direct service volunteers in May of 2025.
What will be the benefits of membership?
Members benefit in several different ways:
Why should I pay a membership fee if most of your activities are and will be open to the public?
Although most UpRiver Village activities are and will be open to the public, there will be several each year that are members-only exclusive events. These are events in private homes and exclusive member-only events like our recent Winter Celebration, upcoming Launch Party, annual member meeting, annual summer picnic, etc.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Volunteerism is a cornerstone of the Village model, drawing upon people in our community to support each other. Volunteers will provide the services, resources, and community activities that allow a Village to offer the peace of mind that makes a positive difference in the lives of its members.
There are many benefits to volunteering:
Will members be required to volunteer?
No, members receiving services will not be required to also volunteer their time. However, members may want to serve on the Governing Council or volunteer in any number of ways.
Will volunteers be required to pay a membership fee to join?
No, volunteers will not be asked to pay membership fees. Volunteers may also live outside our service area.
Why should I sign up for the UpRiver Village newsletter?
UpRiver Village is collecting names of people who would like to: