(Bridge Meadows, Redmond | Rendering courtesy of Bridge Meadows)
Bridge Meadows, a Portland-based affordable housing community that brings together older adults and families adopting children out of foster care, will open its third location in Redmond this November. The site, which includes ten family units, 34 elder units and a large community room, will be located within Maple Meadows, a Hayden Homes single-family development. Bridge Meadows Redmond responds to Central Oregon’s critical need for safe, affordable housing and permanency-focused alternatives to foster care.
Bridge Meadows was founded in 2005 to address the need for alternatives to the current foster care system. Based on an intergenerational concept, it brings together adults 55+ and adoptive families to form a village model of support and care for children formerly in foster care. Built on approximately two acres, each community includes townhomes large enough to accommodate three-four children. Many adoptive parents cannot find adequate housing for multiple children, putting siblings at risk of separation. Bridge Meadows Executive Director Dr. Derenda Schubert says, “Our priority is reducing the trauma that kids have to go through, so keeping siblings together is key. That’s why we build our townhomes to be big enough for larger families.”
Adults 55+, called ‘elders’ to honor their life experience, make up approximately one-third of the Bridge Meadows community. Elders play the role of mentors to the children and families, becoming honorary grandparents over time. Similar models that give older adults an important community role address rapidly shifting demographics. With an estimated increase of the 65 + population growing to 90 million by 2050 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, many older adults are interested in an new vision of retirement: less leisure, more contribution. This older generation is expected to live longer, and trends show interest in giving back through volunteerism, late-life career changes and mentoring.
Though the community is encouraged to create interdependence among residents, Bridge Meadows licensed clinical staff will be onsite to provide expertise in working with trauma, aging and community mental health. Staff serve as community facilitators, as well as overseeing trainings, running therapeutic support groups and providing 1:1 support.
The local Redmond community has been supportive, welcoming the new organization into the Maple Meadows neighborhood. “We are so grateful that Hayden Homes introduced us to Central Oregon, paving the way for a great partnership,” Schubert said. Bridge Meadows Redmond will feature a community room available for use by Maple Meadows neighbors, as well as a courtyard with multiple connection points for neighbors to congregate and enjoy the mountain views.
