At Rivermark Community Credit Union, our mission goes beyond banking. We believe strong communities are built when everyone has access to stability, opportunity, and a place to call home. That belief is what drives our long-standing commitment to housing security across Oregon and Southwest Washington. It is also why we are proud to work with Bienestar, a nonprofit organization creating lasting housing solutions for Latinx individuals, immigrants, and families in Washington County.
Through the Rivermark Community Fund, we partner with organizations like Bienestar that address urgent community needs with compassion, expertise, and measurable impact. Together, we are working toward a future where safe, stable, and affordable housing is within reach for more families in our region.
Who is Bienestar?
Founded in 1981, Bienestar began with a simple but powerful goal: improve living conditions for migrant farm workers and their families who were facing unsafe and substandard housing. What started as a grassroots response to immediate housing challenges has grown into one of Washington County’s leading affordable housing providers for Latinx and immigrant communities.
Today, Bienestar owns and operates 14 affordable multifamily housing communities, serving more than 2,500 residents across Washington County. More than 95 percent of those residents identify as Latinx, and many are immigrants or farmworkers who face systemic barriers to housing stability.
Bienestar’s work centers on more than providing a roof overhead. Their approach is rooted in dignity, cultural responsiveness, and long-term stability. By offering quality housing designed for families, including hard to find two, three, and four bedroom units, Bienestar helps ensure that children and caregivers can remain together in safe, supportive environments. Learn more about Bienestar at bienestar-or.org.
Why Affordable Housing Matters in Our Community
Housing affordability continues to be one of the most pressing challenges facing Oregon communities. Rising costs, limited inventory, and economic uncertainty disproportionately impact families earning below 60 percent of the area median income. For many Latinx and immigrant households, these pressures are compounded by language barriers, seasonal employment, and limited access to traditional financial resources.
Stable housing is foundational to overall well-being. It supports better health outcomes, educational success for children, and financial resilience for families. When housing is secure, individuals are better positioned to build savings, pursue career opportunities, and participate fully in their communities.
This understanding is at the heart of Bienestar’s work, and it closely aligns with Rivermark’s own commitment to strengthening the communities we serve.
Rivermark's Connection to Bienestar
In 2025, the Rivermark Community Fund awarded a $30,000 grant to Bienestar to support their ongoing efforts to provide safe, stable, and affordable housing in Washington County.
This unrestricted grant allows Bienestar the flexibility to support core operations, maintain staffing, and adapt to changing funding conditions. That flexibility is critical for nonprofit organizations navigating fluctuating costs and evolving community needs. For Bienestar, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to equity and opportunity.
“We share Rivermark’s commitment to supporting affordable, fair, and equitable housing,” said Bienestar Executive Director Nathan Teske. “We see families and communities thrive when everybody can access a stable home.”
The partnership with Bienestar is part of Rivermark’s broader commitment to housing security through the Rivermark Community Fund. Established to support nonprofit partners across Oregon and Southwest Washington, the Fund focuses on creating more sustainable, affordable, fair, and equitable housing solutions.
The Community Fund is made possible through the generosity of Rivermark members, employee contributions, and annual fundraising efforts, including the Rivermark Community Fund Golf Tournament. Each year, grants are awarded to organizations that demonstrate strong alignment with Rivermark’s values and a clear ability to drive meaningful community impact.
Bienestar’s focus on long term housing stability, culturally responsive services, and family centered design makes them a natural fit for the Fund’s mission.
Learn more about how the Community Fund works and how members can get involved at rivermarkcu.org/discover/community-fund.
How You Can Learn More and Get Involved
If you are interested in learning more about Bienestar’s work or exploring ways to support affordable housing in our region, we encourage you to visit https://bienestar-or.org.
You can also explore Rivermark’s broader community impact efforts, including volunteerism, partnerships, and grantmaking, at rivermarkcu.org/discover/community.
Together, we can continue building communities where everyone can feel safe, supported, and at home.