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Villages NW - ‘Envisioning My Future’, February 2026

By Deb Sanchez
Posted: 03/13/2026

When it comes to aging safely and confidently, knowledge is power. Villages NW delivered plenty of that at the February ‘Envisioning My Future’ gathering. Our topic for this session was to learn about safety in the home and emergency preparedness. We had opportunities to learn about how to prevent slips, trips and falls and how to build a “go bag” in the event of a major disaster. Held at the Portland Community College Opportunity Center, the event brought together Villages NW community representatives for a full day of practical wisdom, lively presentations, and yes, a delicious lunch, courtesy of PCC's Food Services Program.

Staying Safe Where It Matters Most - Home

The morning kicked off with VWW Villager, Elaine Nelson, sharing insights on preventing slips, trips, and falls — those kinds of hazards hiding in plain sight in every home. Drawing on research from Pacific University doctoral students, she walked attendees through a room-by-room safety analysis framework that anyone can put to use immediately.

Lupine deSnyder of ReFIT Portland followed with a practical overview of home safety and accessibility services available to community members, while Kabir Bhatia and Villager Mark Leavitt (WLLO) generated real buzz with their presentation on the Hello Everyday device — including a sneak peek at an exciting new prototype designed specifically for those navigating cognitive decline.

"The Big One" Is Coming - Are You Ready?

The afternoon shifted to a topic on every Pacific Northwesterner's mind: earthquake preparedness. Jonathan Tasini of Portland's Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) laid out what to expect when the long-anticipated Cascadia Subduction Zone event finally arrives, while Jodi Blackwood of the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) offered a valuable regional comparison of emergency services across the area.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Red Cross supplied checklists and resources to take home, and VCC member Kate Griffith sparked ideas for how Villages can step up to support one another in a crisis. We are bringing some of those handouts to the URV coffee and Happy Hour if you are interested and would like to have some of the material we received. If you can’t make it to one of our social activities, please let us know and we will try to arrange for you to look at the material.

Not to worry, even our four-legged family members were covered. The Humane Society shared tips on building go-bags for pets, because no one gets left behind.

A Finishing Touch - Soup in a Jar

In a wonderfully creative close to the day, VCC Villager Phyllis Robinson presented her Village project on soup-in-a-jar; a charming, practical solution for emergency food storage that doubles as a thoughtful gift. It was the perfect reminder that preparedness can be both smart and heartwarming.

A tremendous thank you to the dedicated planning team who made it all happen: Anne Batey (VATF), Jenny Sherman (VNW), Lyn Trainer (RW and VNW), Nancy Doty (VNW), Nancy Stevens (NSV), and Phyllis Robinson (VCC). Your hard work turned a single afternoon into a community resource that will last far longer.