Strengthening Community Voice and Resilience in Clackamas County
CCVOAD (Clackamas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is helping elevate community voice and practical preparedness across Clackamas County and beyond. Recent Pro Forum focus groups, Be 2 Weeks Ready trainings, and partner meetings are bringing residents, neighborhood associations, and organizations together to shape a more resilient future.
Community Voice Through Pro Forum Focus Groups
Oregon City Neighborhood Associations recently participated in a Governor’s Pro Forum Focus Group, engaging in meaningful conversations about community resilience and lived experience. Community members reflected on recent events that have tested resilience, sharing how these experiences impacted individuals, families, and organizations.
The discussions explored:
- Understanding lived experience – Identifying strengths that supported communities during crises and gaps that created barriers
- Resilience priorities – Envisioning what a resilient community looks like, where investments are most needed, what values should guide resilience-building, and which areas require the most attention
Insights gathered from these conversations will be shared with a statewide research team to inform strategies for improving resilience across Oregon and guide future legislation as part of the Plan for a Resilient Oregon (PRO).
Be 2 Weeks Ready Training and Community Engagement
Over two weekends, more than 30 community members participated in Be 2 Weeks Ready (B2WR) training hosted at Prince of Life Lutheran Church. This training, part of a Governor’s Pro Forum effort, equipped participants with practical skills and tools to strengthen their disaster preparedness and resilience at home and in their communities.
Thanks to the generosity of Medical Teams International, attendees also received emergency go-bags to support their preparedness efforts. These resources help households take concrete steps toward the statewide goal of being “2 weeks ready” for disasters.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners—Prince of Life Lutheran Church and Medical Teams International—for supporting this important work.
“Roots & Branches”: Storytelling and Shared Vision
In addition to formal training, CCVOAD hosted a creative community engagement activity titled “Roots & Branches.” This interactive exercise invited participants to reflect on:
- Roots – What grounds us in times of crisis
- Trunk – What makes us resilient
- Branches and Leaves – The future we are growing toward as a resilient community
This activity created space for storytelling, reflection, and shared visioning, helping community members articulate their own resilience narratives and priorities. As with the focus groups, insights from “Roots & Branches” will be shared with the research team to inform statewide resilience strategies and future policy development under the PRO framework.
To learn more about these initiatives or to get involved with CCVOAD, please reach out to our engagement lead at barbedwards@ccvoad.org or visit www.ccvoad.org.
Upcoming March Monthly Partner’s Meeting
At our upcoming March Partner’s Meeting, CCVOAD partners will receive updates on long-term recovery efforts following the December flooding event. Coordination remains ongoing to ensure impacted communities continue to receive the support and resources they need.
We will also preview several upcoming opportunities for engagement and collaboration, including:
- Emergency preparedness fairs and training courses
- The Oregon Prepared Conference
- The National VOAD Conference
- Additional events and activities hosted by our partners
These gatherings create ongoing opportunities for organizations to connect, share resources, and strengthen community resilience across Clackamas County and the broader region.
Become a Partner and Support Community Resilience
CCVOAD’s work is grounded in collaboration—bringing together neighborhood associations, faith communities, nonprofits, and public agencies to support disaster survivors and build resilience. If your organization is interested in partnering on community engagement, preparedness training, or long-term recovery, we invite you to connect with us.
In addition to partnership, financial support helps sustain and expand this work. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to CCVOAD to support community engagement, training, and long-term recovery coordination in Clackamas County.