Creating a Community Center in The River District

The Zimmerman Community Center (ZCC) is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the spiritual and civic life and identity of Portland's River District, a rapidly developing urban neighborhood that spans Old Town/ Chinatown and the Pearl. Founded by a bequest from local schoolteacher Isobel Faith Zimmerman, ZCC is the only organization building bridges between these two diverse neighborhoods with the aim of creating a cohesive, family-friendly, mixed income community. In support of this mission, Zimmerman Community Center seeks to attract programs that address the diverse interests and needs of the community, with an emphasis on families (broadly defined), and to build community bonds that bring people together across different economic, social, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.

ZCC’s work is currently focused on Isobel’s Clubhouse, a community gathering space for children and their caregivers launched in August 2008. The Clubhouse is coordinated by Nancy Davis, a River District resident, parent and co-founder of Central Portland Families. ZCC hired Davis as a community organizer to carry on the effort to make the River District a family-friendly, mixed income community. Davis’ work includes outreach and organizing with families in the neighborhood, coordinating efforts to create affordable family-friendly play spaces, and organizing a grassroots advocacy campaign to leverage the resources and political support necessary to make the River District a viable place to live for the growing number of families with children who live, work, learn and play in the central city.

Hanna Andersson founder, Gun Denhart, has demonstrated the local business community’s commitment to ZCC’s mission by donating the initial space for Isobel’s Clubhouse. Denhart says “I simply want to help families thrive in the River District. We are happy to provide a clubhouse for families who live or work here, a place to play, develop friendships and build community. Without children this neighborhood would be very boring.”

ZCC is planning to expand the Clubhouse to create a permanent community gathering space for families in the River District. In 2011, the Clubhouse will move into the ground floor of a newly developed affordable housing building for families. To learn more, or to get involved in this exciting project and expanded dream for the River District area, contact Nancy Davis at 503.313.8047, email: nancy@zcommunitycenter.org.

updated 5/09