Sellwood Community House is reaching out and timing is critical
Gotta say, for all its importance in our neighborhood the Sellwood Community House (SCH) isn’t an eye-grabber. It’s just a big, plain, gray box looming over the corner of SE 15th and Spokane, but if you judged this book by its cover you’d be tragically wrong. The SCH is a gift to our Sellwood neighborhood but all the boring stuff is on the outside while the ribbons, gift wrap, and joy are on the inside. It’s a resource for community, learning, fun, art, conversation, and so much more. And now, like so many other community institutions for so many reasons, the SCH is in peril.
Sellwood Community House’s history in Sellwood
The Sellwood Community House was originally built in 1910 as the first branch of the YMCA in Portland with a residential hotel for workers at the old Sellwood Log Mill, a swimming pool, and a basketball program for boys. Some of that history remains; the pool is still there (though it’s been long emptied) and many rooms still have the original dorm room numbers. SCH is a Portland Historic Landmark, placed on the National Historic Register in 2006.
After years under threat of a budgetary ax by the City of Portland the Friends of Sellwood Community House was created in 2019 to lease the building from the City and create a nonprofit community center. Now Sellwood Community House offers education, recreation, classes, camps, drop-in activities, rental spaces, community events and more; a place for people of all ages to learn, play, gather and connect. It’s become Sellwood’s living room, and more people take a spot on their couch every year.
This doesn’t happen without resources and time and again, the neighborhood has stepped up. Sellwood helped launch SCH as a nonprofit in 2019, carried them through COVID, rebuilt after the 2023 fire, and most recently, helped reopen after the 2024 flood.
So what’s the problem now?
That 2024 “Big Flood” is at the root of their problems now. The Flood plunged SCH into a long and painstaking insurance process, documenting everything down to pencils. The insurer must settle the claim by January 2026 but right now SCH has had to pull from their reserves to repair and reopen in time for their Five-Year Anniversary. Based on expert guidance they expect at least 50% of the claim to be paid (which should cover current obligations) and they think more than 50% will be fulfilled eventually. In the meantime they’ve hired a lawyer while they wait… and wait, and wait… for the settlement, but right now the reserves are gone and the annual insurance premiums have skyrocketed. SCH has explored bridge loans, private lending, and worked with the City of Portland to no avail. It’s simple… without our support they’ll have no choice but to reduce programs and services. With our help, they can keep going full speed and keep the house thriving for generations to come.
On September 12, SCH sent a plea by email to their army of supporters asking to raise $100,000 this Fall, and the result has been overwhelming. As a result of that email SCH sold 151 event tickets for $741 and ten bricks (for The Shack at Sellwood Park) for $2250. Most importantly, 90 individuals donated $13,470, plus one generous individual gave a $10,000 matching gift, so every dollar donated between now and Wednesday, Sept. 24th, will be doubled up to $10,000. And of course, your donations in any amount are tax deductible.
How can you help? (and have fun at the same time)
Cash is great and ALWAYS appreciated, but it’s not the only way (and certainly not the most enjoyable way!) to help.
- SCH’s Fall events are starting right now. Your ticket helps the House, but YOU will enjoy spooky Ghost Tours, History Happy Hours, their beloved Lantern Walk and Nutcracker Tea Parties, even the amazing Spooktacular (with that gigantic spider from Tom Dwyer). There’s something for everyone and tickets are available now!
- Fall programming is going on now for all ages. Check out the daily Afterschool Enrichment, popular Evening Gymnastics program, NEW Parents Nights Out, and so much more. Even in the midst of this financial strain SCH is expanding its offerings. Middle schoolers can try the free Counselor-in-Training program, drop-in hangouts, or affordable social events. Seniors can take advantage of free weekly artist-led classes, support groups, and social gatherings to combat loneliness. New parents will surely appreciate the free parent education and support groups, and people of all ages can enjoy free gathering places for book clubs, craft nights, music, sports, and more.
- Your kids would love a birthday party package (now at PlayLab too!), and there are Holiday party packages available in their beautifully renovated space with both historic details and modern amenities.
- If you’d like to quite literally “make your mark” in Sellwood in a way that will last for generations, buy an engraved brick at The Shack. They’ll be installed next summer and who know? Yours might end up next to the Tom Dwyer brick.
- With Holiday buying coming up you could consider a Community House gift card for classes, events, merch, and concessions.
If you have questions about ways to donate, becoming a business sponsor or other ideas for supporting Sellwood Community House, please contact Development and Community Engagement Director Elizabeth Milner: elizabeth@sellwoodcommunityhouse.org.
Help NOW is help for the future
This flashing-red-light plea for your help is critical, but the fundraising story won’t end here. None of their programs are fully supported by program fees alone. They’ll be asking Sellwood to support our seniors, families, teens, and children throughout the year in their Fall Appeal and Spring fundraiser, sponsorships, and grants. Sellwood Community House is an ongoing benefit to our community with ongoing expenses requiring ongoing support, so we can and should expect ongoing appeals.
But this moment is critical! Sellwood Community House is not simply trying to survive, they are building a bridge to the other side. Your support right now is not just a donation, it’s a declaration that Sellwood Community House matters, that it belongs to all of us, and that it deserves to stand strong for the next generation.
Every contribution strengthens the House’s ability to carry forward its mission of connection, resilience, and joy. If that mission resonates with you, then PLEASE help Sellwood Community House get the win they need.
And Sellwood Community House wanted to make sure we extend their HUGE THANKS to the following 14(!!) local businesses who have already signed on to sponsor this year’s annual Halloween Spooktacular SO FAR- there’s still time to sponsor!
Britt Bragg Realty PDX Sliders Robin Springer Real Estate
Meliora Clinic Tip Top Tattoo Westmoreland Liquor
Art of Injectables Melisa Pierson Real Estate The BEE
Lee Cannon Insurance Agency Inc. Tom Dwyer Automotive Services
PNW Home Improvements Powell Veterinary Center-Westmoreland
Affordable Estate Planning The Last Rodeo
