What I’ve Learned from the Beaverton Committee on Aging: A Community That Shows Up

Each month, members of the City of Beaverton Committee on Aging contribute an article for the Beaverton Resource Guide. Their articles highlight activities, experiences, and the lessons learned by our aging community.

So, this month, I thought we would do something different, and I would highlight what I’ve learned from our phenomenal community members.

A little background about me: My name is Mara, and I’ve had the pleasure of serving as the City of Beaverton staff liaison to the Beaverton Committee on Aging since January of this year.

This group has taught me more than I ever expected — about showing up, giving back, and caring for one’s community with heart and consistency. Every month, I’m reminded what it looks like when people choose to invest their time and energy in the wellbeing of their neighbors.

In many ways, the committee is working to maintain something my generation struggles to find — true community. As everyone seems to live life online, where do we go to feel connected? And how do we make time for connection in a world that seems to move faster each second?

Our committee members don’t just ask those questions — they live out the solutions. Each one volunteers not only with this advisory group, but with many other organizations across the region. They show up for neighbors, support local programs, advocate for accessibility and inclusion, and bring forward ideas rooted in lived experience. They make the time. They care. They model what community stewardship looks like.

Their insights help the city understand how policies, programs, and everyday decisions affect older adults in Beaverton. They remind us that aging isn’t a niche issue — it’s a community-wide story, one every resident will experience in some way. Their perspectives strengthen city projects, making them more thoughtful, more realistic, and more responsive to people’s needs.

But beyond the advisory work, this group has shown me something equally important: joy. They show that involvement can be energizing rather than draining, that civic engagement can be welcoming and fun, and that connection doesn’t disappear with age—it deepens.

The committee’s work touches many areas, from accessibility and transportation to social connection and resource awareness. Their focus is on building a Beaverton where every older adult can thrive, stay involved, and feel at home. And they do that through thoughtful (and often lively!) discussions, collaborative problem solving, and a genuine commitment to leaving things better than they found them.

If you’d like to meet our members and see this spirit in action, stop by and say hello at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They’ll be there sharing resources, answering questions, and connecting with neighbors.

I’m grateful every day to work alongside this passionate group. Their contributions help to shape a stronger, more connected Beaverton for all of us. And if their example inspires you to get involved too, please join us. They will be the first to welcome you with open arms and say, “let’s get to work!”

Mara Kealey is the staff liaison for the Beaverton Committee on Aging. Learn more about the BCOA at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/BCOA .