Cascadia staff, community bid farewell to housing leader

Cascadia Health employees and community members gathered Wednesday, March 13 to celebrate and wish a happy retirement for Jim Hlava, Vice President of Housing. After nearly 40 years on staff at Cascadia, Jim has officially stepped away from the role to continue focusing on his health.

His retirement party at Garlington Health Center last week gave just a fraction of the innumerable individuals he has impacted the opportunity to express their appreciation.

Hlava spent his first 20 years with Cascadia doing hands-on social work focused on housing and employment programs. He then took on the significant task of enhancing the property side of Cascadia’s housing portfolio and creating connections among clients, Cascadia program offerings, and affordable housing. Among myriad accomplishments, his work as VP of Housing made the Garlington Health Center Campus concept—affordable housing and integrated healthcare in the same space to promote wellbeing—a reality for Cascadia.

Local leaders in housing and behavioral health shared stories about Hlava’s legacy.

“Jim is one of the few people who can translate between the housing world and the people who need services,” said Dr. Greg Townley, Community Psychology professor at Portland State University, and Vice-Chair of the Cascadia Health Board of Directors. “He can turn the black and white world of landlord/tenant law into warmer shades of gray.”

Those sharing stories of Hlava’s legacy included Cascadia Health executives, Housing Department staff, the founder and the CEO of Colas Construction (who built both Garlington Campus and Centennial Place), and many more. Themes included Jim’s patience and passion for equitable housing; his gift at conversations; as well as his genuine compassion and far-reaching vision.

“I’m just so glad you’re all here,” Hlava said, standing in front of a table full of cupcakes topped with Cascadia-colored icing and arranged to form the letters of his first name. “It’s been so wonderful to work with you. My god, we have stories, don’t we?”