Rockwood Urban Renewal Area Community Engagement

Gresham, OR | 2023

In May 2022, the Gresham residents voted to extend the deadline for the Rockwood Urban Renewal Area which is located in one of the lowest income and most culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the region. As a result, GRDC began an engagement efforts to identify community values and potential priority projects to allocate approximately $30 million over six years. Cascadia Partners joined Latino Network, a Latino-led nonprofit providing culturally-specific programs and service for youth and families in the greater Portland area, on a multicultural community engagement effort for the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC).

Irene at Cascadia Partners worked closely with Latino Network to recruit and organize a Community Leader group made up of diverse civic leaders and community members to advise on the engagement strategy and support with outreach to Rockwood’s lower income and limited English speaking residents. Irene co-facilitated work sessions with the Community Leader Group and supported the group in organizing culturally-specific focus groups and surveys to gather feedback on key concerns and development priorities and uses that the GRDC should invest in such as affordable homeownership opportunities, affordable childcare, small business opportunities, community center, and culturally responsive healthcare. All Community Leaders and focus group participants were offered compensation for their time and contributions to the project.