Ten Years of First Friday: A Community Built on Fellowship, Hope, and Shared Purpose

For the past decade, First Friday at Adventist Health Portland has been more than an event. It has been a promise. A promise to open our doors, our hearts, and our lives to one another in the spirit of fellowship, inspiration, and support.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of First Friday, we pause to reflect on the countless moments that have unfolded in this space: strangers becoming neighbors, stories sparking understanding, and a community growing stronger through compassion and connection. Month after month, First Friday has served as a steady reminder that true community happens when people gather, listen, and show up for one another.

That spirit will be especially present on Thursday, March 6, as we come together for what promises to be a powerful and meaningful evening. Our featured speaker, Oregon State Representative Shannon Isadore, will share her deeply personal journey working alongside individuals navigating substance use, offering real-world insight into the power of dignity, human connection, and compassionate care. Her story speaks directly to the heart of First Friday’s mission: meeting people where they are and walking together toward hope.

The evening will also include joyful praise and music from The Brown Sisters, along with a free soup and salad dinner from 6–7 p.m., welcoming all to gather around the table in true community fashion.

First Friday has endured for 10 years because our community has embraced it. Your friends and neighbors continue to believe in the power of coming together with shared purpose. This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but an invitation to be part of what continues to grow.

Whether you are a longtime attendee or considering joining for the first time, March 6 is the moment to come. Be part of an evening that honors our collective journey, renews our commitment to one another, and reminds us that when community shows up, hope follows.

All are welcome.

Learn more and register for dinner by Wednesday, March 4, at AdventistHealthFirstFriday.com.