Family Promise (getbed.org)
Family Promise of Puget Sound helps families experiencing homelessness by offering shelter, case management, and resources to regain stability. Their mission is to ensure every child has a safe place to sleep and the support needed to thrive.
TahomaNW (tahomanw.org)
Tahoma Northwest provides peer support services, peer training and parent/wellness education tailored to individuals and families. We help people build strength, resilience, and stability through person-driven, wraparound peer support across Washington State.
Jump Into Music (jumpintomusic.org)
All of these organizations play a crucial role in strengthening families and building a more supportive community. Visit their websites to learn more or get involved!
In addition to our long-term tenants, we have groups who regularly meet at the community center:
Parkland Community Assn (PCA) - Meetings are the 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Save Parkland School Workgroup is a subcommittee of PCA. The work group meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm.
Kiwanis Club of Parkland Spanaway - Meetings are every Thursday from 11:30 -1:00 pm
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America - Newly Forming Rainier Lodge - Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Check out the events happening at the Parkland Community Center!
As we reflect on the past two years, we are filled with gratitude for the many volunteers, donors, tenants, and community partners who have helped bring new life to the historic Parkland School. Since acquiring the building in May 2024, the Parkland Community Center (PCC) has continued to grow into a community hub that provides space for nonprofit services, meetings, recreation, and programs that strengthen Parkland and surrounding communities.
Our progress has only been possible because of partnerships. We are especially grateful for organizations that have chosen to call PCC home and for the many individuals and businesses that have invested in this vision. One significant partnership is with Family Promise of Puget Sound. Their Shelter Access Hub, located on the first floor, serves as the centralized Pierce County location for connecting individuals and families experiencing homelessness with supportive services. The Parkland Community Center is not an overnight shelter, and individuals do not sleep at the facility. Rather, the Hub provides intake, case management, and resource coordination that have helped families access critical assistance.
Another valued partner is Tahoma Northwest. Tahoma Northwest offers peer-led behavioral health services and is contracted by the Washington State Health Care Authority to provide Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) training and other professional development opportunities. Through virtual, hybrid, and in-person certification programs, Tahoma Northwest helps individuals develop the skills needed to support others. Their presence at PCC provides Parkland residents with access to workforce development and behavioral health resources.
We are also thankful for the support of community organizations and local businesses. Recent contributions, including a generous $20,000 gift from the Kiwanis Club of Parkland-Spanaway, are helping advance building improvements and support ongoing operating costs.
The Parkland Community Center gym is especially active this summer, serving as a home for a variety of youth sports organizations. On varying schedules and days, young athletes are participating in basketball practices, skills camps, and team activities that provide opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and positive relationships. Seeing the gym filled with activity once again is a reminder of the important role community spaces play in supporting youth and strengthening neighborhoods.
Today, Parkland Community Center remains 100% volunteer-run. Before we can fully open the building for broader public use, we need additional volunteer support, project sponsors, and sustainable funding to hire staff who can provide a daily presence at the center. Maintaining and operating a 116-year-old, 36,000-square-foot building is no small task, and there is still important work ahead.
Behind the scenes, volunteers continue working on facility repairs, such as painting and dry-wall repair, to create additional community spaces to rent. These improvements are helping ensure the building remains both functional and welcoming for local residents and future tenants.
There are three ways the community can make a lasting difference:
Partner with us. We are grateful for the organizations that already call PCC home and welcome additional partnerships that align with our mission. Request short or long-term use.
Volunteer with us. Whether you have a few hours a month or specialized skills, there are many opportunities to serve. Workgroups are every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. You can express interest here.
Invest in the future. Financial contributions and project sponsorships (scroll down) are essential to paying off the property loan, completing improvements, and helping us move toward sustainability by hiring staff and expanding access. Click here to learn how you can contribute.
Every donation, volunteer hour, event attendance, and partnership brings us one step closer to our vision of a vibrant community center that serves generations to come.
The future of the Parkland Community Center is being written by the community itself, and we are excited about what lies ahead. We invite you to join us, through partnerships, volunteering, and financial support, as we continue building something special for generations to come.
We appreciate you stopping by our page.
Sincerely,
Parkland Community Assn Board of Directors and Volunteers
Accessibility Lift Sponsorship Opportunity
Our current lift has served the community for more than 30 years and is nearing the end of its life. We are seeking a lead sponsor or multiple community partners to help fund a replacement and preserve access for everyone who visits the Parkland Community Center.
As we continue restoring and preserving the historic Parkland Community Center, several important projects remain:
Accessibility: Our wheelchair lift has faithfully served the building for more than 30 years but is nearing the end of its life. Replacing it will ensure continued access for all and is estimated to cost approximately $60,000.
Third Floor Restoration: A past roof leak damaged walls and ceilings throughout the building. While the roof has been repaired, restoration work remains. In the process, we uncovered beautiful original skylights hidden above a damaged drop ceiling. Until repairs are completed, much of the third floor remains unavailable for community use.
Window Replacement: More than 30 windows are damaged, with several currently boarded over. Restoring these windows will improve the building's appearance, increase energy efficiency, and bring much-needed natural light back into the center.
Every improvement helps preserve this historic building and expand its ability to serve the Parkland community for generations to come.
If you or your organization sponsors one of these projects, you will be recognized via a plaque that is prominently displayed in the building.
To sponsor a project please call Julie Collison at 253-906-8751 or email parklandcommunitycenter@gmail.com
The Parkland Community Center property is owned by the Parkland Community Association (PCA). In 2024, PCA purchased the historic Parkland School building from Pacific Lutheran University with the vision of transforming it into an activce community center that serves the Parkland community. Learn more about the Parkland Community Assn here.