Rhonda Meadows

Background

About Rhonda Meadows

Rhonda has worked in the Human Resources field for over 30 years with experience in organizational development, benefits administration and recruitment/staffing. She’s excelled in community relations, program/policy formulation, management training, presentations before groups, teaching, coaching, labor relations, negotiation, mediation, performance managing and counseling. She is known for her innovative contributions to the HR function at major corporations. Beyond Human Resources, Rhonda has played an integral role in foster youth advocacy throughout the Portland Area. Inspired by her experience as a foster parent, Rhonda founded the non-profit, Bridge Meadows in 2004, an intergenerational community in North Portland whose mission is to promote permanency, community and caring relationships for adoptive families of foster children while offering meaningful purpose in the lives of older adults. Bridge Meadows, which officially opened their doors in the summer of 2011, features reduced-rent homes for families who adopt foster children, reduced-rent apartments for seniors who function as surrogate grandparents and central community spaces and resources. Also in 2011 Rhonda founded Project Lemonade, a program that gives Portland area foster children the unique opportunity to shop for new and nearly new clothing at no charge to them or their foster families. Project Lemonade provides foster youth with a back-to-school shopping experience and offers support to inspire self-esteem and promote success. Rhonda has previously served as the development chair for Project Lemonade and has supported the organization expand their mission to include three programs such as year round shopping access at the Project Lemonade store, foster youth internship opportunities with partnering company, and their WISH program (What Inspires Students Hearts) which helps children realize their true gifts. Rhonda has continued her involvement in the non-profit sector by serving on several Boards including formerly as a Chairperson for SEI (Self Enhancement Inc), a Chairperson for Bridge Meadows, a board member of University of Oregon College of Arts and Science, and the Vice-Chair of Programming for CASA Board of Directors.