A few minutes into a conversation with Amy Mallett, Executive Director of the Hood River Valley Adult Center (HRVAC), is enough to leave anyone feeling inspired and ready to take on the world. Mallett, who has served in leadership at HRVAC for nine years, draws on her optimism and wealth of experience to deliver real results.
Originally from the Bay Area, Amy began her career in law enforcement but eventually found her calling working with seniors in Santa Barbara. It was during a trip with seniors to Portland for the 10/10/10 marathon, that she first visited Hood River. Captivated by its lifestyle and close-knit community, she decided to make it her home.
“I leaned into the strength of what sets this community apart: family. For generations, many Hood River families have stayed, and their connection and commitment to their town and county is something I deeply admire,” Mallett shared. Reflecting on her success in building a thriving Adult Center, she emphasized the importance of starting with consistent, dedicated staff. In her early years, she convinced the board that the key to success lay in paying competitive wages and offering robust benefits—a strategy that laid the foundation for lasting impact.
Under Amy Mallett’s leadership, the Hood River Valley Adult Center (HRVAC) has become a hub of innovation and connection, providing vital resources and services to seniors and adults across the region. One of the most visible signs of HRVAC’s success is its thriving thrift store. Once an underutilized feature of the center, Mallett saw its potential early on and worked to transform it into a regional favorite. Today, the store attracts visitors from Portland and beyond, generating $143,000 in crucial revenue last year that directly supports HRVAC’s Meals on Wheels program.
The expansion of the Meals on Wheels program is another testament to HRVAC’s commitment to meeting the community’s needs. Following the completion of a state-of-the-art community kitchen, the program now provides 200 meals daily and growing. These meals reach seniors in various ways—from those who drive through to pick up lunch, to those who enjoy a meal in-person and build connections, to the individuals who rely on home delivery for their food. For residents of more remote towns like Cascade Locks (population 1359), Parkdale (population 275), Mosier (population 463), the program delivers frozen meals to ensure no one is left behind.
Mallett’s “say yes to what people need and then build that dream” philosophy continues to guide her efforts. The center’s offerings have expanded to include more than just meals: HRVAC now provides exercise and educational classes, a salad bar featuring fresh produce from Hood River farmers, Circles of Care that provides peer-to-peer volunteer help and medical rides to the greater PNW area, and a vibrant travel program for adults aged 50 and older. As Mallett explains, HRVAC has grown beyond being a resource just for seniors and has become a welcoming space for all adults seeking connection, enrichment, and a sense of community.
Building and sustaining such a dynamic community center hasn’t come without challenges. Like many nonprofits, HRVAC has faced funding uncertainties, staffing shortages, and the unique demands of operating during a global pandemic. Yet these hurdles have only reinforced Mallett’s determination and ability to rally support. One of HRVAC’s strongest assets is its connection to the community and families have played a key role in the center’s success by volunteering, donating, and attending programs.
Roundhouse Foundation is proud to support HRVAC’s programs, which meet the needs of seniors and adults, providing access to nutritious meals and essential services in Hood River and rural communities nearby.
