Bridging Gaps, Building Community

The Community Commons Campaign
The new space became a reality in 2023 when PCS launched its Community Commons Campaign, raising five million dollars to enhance its facilities and broaden its reach. Following the success of this initiative, PCS has worked with Perkins&Will to design spaces for new squash courts, a community café, locker rooms, study rooms, and redesigned exterior spaces. The new facilities further solidify PCS’s role as one of the most culturally vibrant spaces in Portland by creating indoor and outdoor spaces for gathering and hosting events, allowing the organization to expand its programming. Looking ahead, PCS envisions itself not just as a leading youth development organization, but as a cornerstone of community development for the region.

Addressing the Opportunity, Wellness, and Integration Gaps

At the heart of PCS’s mission is the desire to close three critical gaps facing the community: the opportunity gap, the wellness gap, and the integration gap. Many children in Portland lack access to after-school opportunities and face barriers to post-secondary education. Families are searching for safe, healthy environments to exercise, eat well, and build positive relationships. Moreover, individuals struggle to find spaces that bring together neighbors from diverse economic, cultural, and political backgrounds.

PCS is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its comprehensive model that first supports families with staff-led programs and then empowers families with sustainable self-guided programs. By offering educational support, health and wellness activities, and community-building events, PCS is helping to create a more inclusive, vibrant, and cohesive community in Portland.

A Model for the Future of Community Centers

PCS’s impact goes beyond the local community. Through its innovative programs and dedication to fostering individual potential and social capital, PCS serves as a model for the next wave of American community centers. The organization’s Theory of Change, developed in partnership with Dr. Meredith Whitley of Adelphi University, outlines a clear, evidence-based approach to empowering families with pathways to career opportunities, a robust network, and skills to care for health and well-being.

By tracking when individuals develop their own autonomy in these areas, PCS can move individuals from participants to community leaders. This approach has garnered national attention, with endorsements from thought leaders like Dr. Robert Putnam and senior fellows at the Brookings Institution Drs. Carol Graham and Fiona Hill, who recognize PCS as a powerful example of how grassroots efforts can drive meaningful change.

Portland Community Squash is proof that when a community comes together, extraordinary things can happen. As it continues to grow and evolve, PCS remains committed to creating opportunities, fostering wellness, and bridging divides—one family at a time.

To learn more about the work happening at PCS and how you can get involved, visit pcsquash.com.