Bill Heroux and Chris Brame Outside MVA’s Future Headquarters

Bill Heroux has been supported by MV Advancements for many years. He is an integral part of our community, regularly participating in weekly activities with the Day Support Activities program. Especially arts and crafts, where he always brings fun and laughter to the team. Bill lives independently with the support of our Supported Living Team, and every Thursday, Chris Brame, a Direct Support Professional, picks him up for errands.

Their routine includes grocery shopping, recycling […]

Carol Dejager outside her new apartment

On December 2, 2024, Carol Dejager moved into her own apartment with the help of MV Advancement’s Supported Living Program (SLP) staff. Prior to her move, she lived in a group home for more than 10 years. MV Advancements now supports more people living independently through SLP than those residing in our five group homes in McMinnville.

“I think that’s what we need,” Carol said. “It’s what people really need—get them where they should be instead of just […]

A Collage of Kristy and Cindy’s Vacation

What started as a simple idea became the adventure of a lifetime for Kristy and Cindy. These two lifelong friends have both been supported by MVA for over 30 years and have lived together for most of that time. They decided to celebrate their friendship in the most memorable way—on a cruise to Hawaii!

It all began when Kristy got the idea of attending a Luau. At first, staff members considered hosting an MVA Luau in the backyard, but then they thought, why not go to Hawaii for an authentic experience? And […]

Jim and Diana outside the McADU

“What is the main thing you want your home to be?” Diana Lett asked her son, Jim.

“I want it to be colorful,” Jim responded.

In November 2024, Jim Lett moved into his new home—one of two additional dwelling units (ADUs) recently built by MV Advancements behind the Brooks Street group home in McMinnville.

The ADUs are brand new single-person homes, rented exclusively to individuals supported by MV Advancements. Each unit, measuring 450 square feet, includes one bedroom, one bathroom, a full kitchen, and living space. The goal of the ADU project is to provide safe, […]

Belinda LaLonde and Ellen Eisele at Arts and Crafts

Imagine if every friend in your life was paid to be there, clocking in at nine and leaving at five. Friends from school, neighbors, colleagues, people you connect with through clubs or online—all present, but only for as long as they’re on the clock. Would those relationships feel the same?

For many of the people MV Advancements supports, paid staff are often their main source of companionship. Though our staff is dedicated and caring, there’s something irreplaceable about relationships based on choice and genuine connection.

That’s why MV Advancements is excited to […]

Project SEARCH 2024 cohort

From right to left: Joey Borja, Kelli Kobs, Mikayla Mingay, Miyoko Gorges

On Friday, September 20th, Joey Borja and Mikayla Mingay graduated from the Project SEARCH internship program after nine months of acquiring valuable job skills at Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg.

While Project SEARCH has impacted Joey and Mikayla’s futures in the workforce, its influence has also resonated throughout the Friendsview community.

Project SEARCH is an internship program where MVA partners with Friendsview Retirement Community to provide employability training across various vocations and environments. Interns spend nine months rotating through three different departments at Friendsview […]

Watch a video about the Core Values of MV Advancements here

Several years ago, the team at MV Advancements took a step back to ask, what defines us as an organization?

This question was daunting, to say the least. We were working through a global pandemic that had effects across the entire organization. Those effects brought rapid changes and evolutions in the services we provide and a lot of uncertainty for the future of MVA. Amidst that uncertainty, we knew one thing. If we were going to begin rebuilding, we had to set a foundation to […]

Bonnie Redifer posing next to her artwork ‘Bald Eagle’ at the Yamhill County Fair Artshow.

Bonnie Redifer has been entering artwork into the Yamhill County Fair Art Show for the past three years. Three years in a row, she has been awarded the first-place prize. This year, Bonnie entered three drawings into the contest.

This year’s entries are titled ‘Bald Eagle,’ ‘Lion’ and ‘Girl with Dog.’ ‘Bald Eagle’ is Bonnie’s main entry and is the one she worked on specifically for the Art Show […]

Tom Neal, Veronica Aranda, Kathy Schlotfeldt, and Dave Haugeberg at the Groundbreaking Ceremony

On May 31st, 2024, MV Advancements held a groundbreaking for our new headquarters. The building will be at 600 SE Baker Street in McMinnville and cover 7,100 square feet.  

This project has been in the making since 2019 and has been a long time dream for our organization. While it will serve as office space for the MVA team, it will be much more than just an office building. 

“We acquired the […]

MV Advancements after the UFO Festival parade

On May 18th, McMinnville hosted the UFO Festival, and MV Advancements was proud to be a part of the parade that kicked off the festivities.

This year, MVA Direct Support Professional Lauren Hurliman led the charge by organizing our efforts and constructing the float with the DSA team and her husband. […]