PHAME Student Kaaren Londahl Wins Advocate of the Year Award

We were thrilled to hear that Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition (OSAC) recently named PHAME student Kaaren Londahl “Self Advocate of the Year.” Kaaren is a board member at OSAC and at Independence Northwest, and is a member of the PHAME Arts Leaders program. Her advocacy efforts consistently take her to Salem to talk with Oregon’s representatives, and she advocates fiercely for the rights of people with I/DD every day.

If you spend time in the neighborhood surrounding PHAME, you’ve probably run into Kaaren on the street or in a shop, and she’s probably reminded you to call your legislators. Self-dubbed the “Queen of Broadway,” Kaaren is a neighborhood celebrity. She engages with everyone she meets—she makes a point to connect.

We asked Kaaren about her experience being a self advocate. She said, “When you’re in a big world, it’s important to connect with people—it helps people to grow, to be responsible.” We couldn’t agree more.

Congratulations, Kaaren, on a much deserved award!