by independence northwest | Aug 1, 2026
Fred Meyer Community Rewards lets shoppers support participating nonprofits – like Independence Northwest – through purchases they already make.
If you shop at Fred Meyer and would like to support INW, all you have to do is link your Fred Meyer Rewards card and they’ll donate a portion of money spent to INW. All funds received from them will go directly into our Customer Emergency Fund.
There’s no added cost to you and there’s no donation requested at the checkout. It’s a simple straightforward process.Thanks for considering INW next time you shop at Fred Meyer.
Learn more by clicking here.
by independence northwest | Oct 28, 2025
7738 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
Free food for students/community
Monday 1-6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday 1-6 p.m
by independence northwest | Sep 25, 2025
A Note from Larry Deal, Co-Founder and Executive Director
I’m writing with a bit of news from our corner. After nearly 19 years as Executive Director of Independence Northwest, I’ll soon be passing the torch. I’m thrilled to announce that Jessica Kral will be stepping into the role as INW’s next Executive Director, effective September 1st.
Many of you already know Jess—and for those who don’t, you’ll soon see what a thoughtful, engaging, and exceptional leader she is. She joined INW in 2008 as a Personal Agent and has steadily taken on leadership roles over the years—Lead Personal Agent in 2012, Senior Program Supervisor in 2016, and Assistant Director since 2021. She is a gifted social worker with deep knowledge of home and community-based services. I couldn’t be more confident in her ability to carry this work forward—and I’m excited for what lies ahead under her guidance. I know Jess will take INW to great new heights.
This executive transition has been in the works since 2023, led by our Board of Directors. Together, we’ve crafted a thoughtful leadership handoff, focused on continuity and stability for our customers, community partners, and staff. I’m incredibly grateful to the six exceptional women who make up our Board for their unwavering support and steady guidance each step of the way. They are INW’s heart and its compass.
As for me—I’m not going far just yet. You’ll find me working behind the scenes at INW, focusing on policy and communication work, and supporting Jess as she steps into her new role. Professionally, I’m quite excited to pivot toward a more creative, flexible (and perhaps a tiny bit less bureaucratic) role. I’ll be expanding INW’s outward-facing communications by resuming our newsletter and blog, overhauling our website, and developing educational multi-media content. And on a personal level, this creates the flexibility my family and I need as we move closer to our longer-term goal of living abroad.
When I look back on what our team and our board has built together all these years on, I’m immensely proud. On a rainy day in December 2006, a small group of us met over coffee and pumpkin pie at a NE Portland Village Inn. We held our first board of directors meeting, and with a few quick signatures, Independence Northwest was born. It was an electric time. We felt incredibly blessed to play a role in helping clear a many-decades-long waitlist for community-based services for thousands of Oregonians with developmental disabilities.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, your loved ones, and this extraordinary community. It has been the experience of a lifetime.
Here’s to INW’s next chapter!
Please join me in welcoming Jess into her new role by sending your congratulations and words of wisdom, encouragement, and support to jkral@independencenw.org.
All the best to you and yours,
Larry Deal
by independence northwest | Sep 5, 2025
Person-centered Planning pioneer John O’Brien passed away on Friday, June 27th, 2025. The values and practices in Oregon’s 20+ year old Support Services Brokerage system for adults with developmental disabilities were deeply influenced by John’s work. We would not be what we are were it not for the teachings of John and his wife Connie Lyle O’Brien.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy: time-tested tools for ensuring inclusion for people with disabilities, tackling systems transformation, and supporting community-building.
If you would like to learn more about John O’Brien, check out his writings and talks at the Inclusion Press website.
“Person centered planning begins when people decide to listen carefully and in ways that can strengthen the voice of people who have been or are at risk of being silenced. Person centered planning celebrates, relies on, and finds its sober hope in people’s interdependence. At its core, it is a vehicle for people to make worthwhile, and sometimes life changing, promises to one another.” – John O’Brien
by independence northwest | Sep 2, 2025
Join INW and the Community Energy Project for an In Person/Online Healthy Homes Mold and Indoor Air Quality Workshop on Friday October 2nd from 3pm to 4pm.
This workshop focuses on maintaining healthy indoor air quality and mold prevention. To receive a free kit of materials, you must live in the City of Portland and your income must be at or below 80 of the Portland area median income.
This is a hybrid event – so you can attend in person at our office or virtually online. Space is limited to the first 25 people and registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendees. If you register to attend online, we’ll send you a link.
Questions? Email Megan at mdart-mclean@independencenw.org.
