Community Development Partners Teams with EngAGE to Provide Innovative Arts-Based Resident Services

PORTLAND, Ore., June 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Development Partners (CDP) (communitydevpartners.com) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with EngAGE (engagedaging.org) to offer arts-based educational curriculum at Cascadian Terrace Apartments in NE Portland, OR.  EngAGE is a nonprofit that provides arts, wellness, lifelong learning, and intergenerational programs to apartment communities in Southern California, Oregon, and Minnesota. CDP's partnership with EngAGE demonstrates its continued commitment to break the boundaries of traditionally more modest programming, and instead offer highly impactful services.  

EngAGE's aim is to change lives by transforming affordable housing into centers of unity, learning, and well-being.  The organization recruits college-level educators and other professionals to teach classes onsite, at no cost to participants, and on a semester basis.  Classes may include languages, computers, gardening, cooking, music appreciation, acting, photography, drawing, poetry, chorus, yoga, strength training, financial literacy, etc.  At the end of each semester, students participate in culminating events such as art shows or performances.

Tim Carpenter, Founder and CEO of EngAGE, states, "The EngAGE mission is to empower people—intellectually, creatively, and emotionally—to gain mastery, life enrichment, and engagement.  Ultimately, we aim to be a tool for social change and innovation.  CDP is on the same page.  They are dedicated to doing more than is just the minimum of creating affordable housing."

Acquired in 2015 by CDP, Cascadian Terrace is a 103-unit affordable community for residents earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI).   Many of the residents at Cascadian Terrace are formerly homeless and/or have disabilities.  The EngAGE partnership is facilitated at Cascadian Terrace by Friendly House, an organization that provides quality educational, recreational and other life-sustaining services.  In addition to arts, wellness, and lifelong learning, Friendly House provides resident case management services at Cascadian Terrace, thus addressing each individual's needs.

Eric Paine, Chief Executive Officer of CDP, says, "We're really pleased to partner with EngAGE.  Their mission fits perfectly with our values of taking a whole-person approach to creating healthy communities.  Cascadian Terrace was an important preservation opportunity and incorporating an innovative services program with EngAGE is an important step in building community and ensuring stability for the residents."

Founded in 2011, Community Development Partners develops and operates sustainable, life-enhancing affordable housing with a focus on long-term community engagement and innovative design.

Contact: Beth Binger
BCIpr
619-987-6658
[email protected]

SOURCE Community Development Partners

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