About Us

Contact Us

2037 Douglas Street Forest Grove, OR 97116 P: 503-357-2021 F: 503-357-5544 Email us: director@fgscc.org Or contact our facebook here

Center Hours

Monday – Friday: 9 AM to 3 PM Gift Shop: 10 AM to 2 PM

History of the Organization

Since our humble beginnings as a community club established in 1972 in the old UCC basement, we have provided services with the help, perseverance, and community of Forest Grove. The “club” moved between different churches until the mid-to late ‘70s when, with the land already owned by the city, a councilman was able to help secure a grant to build the center. In order to raise more funds, center members picked strawberries from a local producer, along with their own produce, and set up a produce stand. When a local grocer claimed our low strawberry prices were unfair, we simply switched to raspberries and continued our fund raising . Members also organized penny drives every Friday during which they brought their pennies to be donated to the center. With the perseverance of our members and the Forest Grove community, we became an non-profit organization and opened our doors as Forest Grove Senior and Community Center at the current location. Since then, we have worked hard to provide services to our seniors as well as to the greater community, as a place to enjoy with friends and family. We have expanded our services, the staff and volunteers we call family, and the people we reach out to with your help. As a private, non-profit organization, we are supported by our local community of Forest Grove together with contributions from foundations, business, and individuals; the much appreciated volunteers that keep this place running; and the many members that make it all worth it. Join us and welcome!

Our Involvement in the Community

Our mission, to provide opportunities for social, educational, and physical well-being to those in need, is achieved through the many activities, services, and events that we offer. Our center is a place to foster the Forest Grove community, as well as the niche communities that thrive here. A few of the ways we are involved in the community include:

A few of the ways we are involved in the community include

Service	Description
Friday Morning Breakfast	A low cost meal to start your day. Choose anywhere from a small meal to a large and hearty breakfast including: hot cereal, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh fruits, biscuits and grave and more. Served with fresh brewed coffee or juices
Free Food Market – previously known as the Oregon Food Bank	A cost effective food source for your pantry. In partnership with the Oregon Food Bank, we offer food on the last Friday of each month, 12:30-1:30 pm. Upon arrival, complete a very short registration form, then “shop” our shelves and leave with up to 2-3 bags of groceries! Please bring your own re-usable bags. Open to everyone.
Transportation	Get a ride to and from the Center via our partnership with Ride Connection (part of Forest Grove’s free Grove Link bus service). Also, call to set up free door to door services for seniors and people with disabilities to go most anywhere you need
Lunch	Offered at a low cost, in partnership with Meals on Wheels people, view menu.
Bingo	Our most popular event, offered 3 days a week
Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, Silver Sneakers	Activities to keep you fit
Craft Clubs	Knitting, crocheting, crafts, writing
Gift Shop	Supporting local crafters with perfect gifts for the holidays and year round; funds support the center and activities
Community Garden	Help out in the garden and enjoy fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs
Rentals	For events large and small: weddings, birthdays, reunions; large dining hall, back rooms, yard, and kitchen available
Medical Equipment	For those needing a little help, we loan out crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and more for free. We are looking for donations of additional medical equipment as well .
Volunteers	Our community comes out to help often, you can too!
Computer Area	Offering computers, and some instruction, for your computer needs

Our Board of Directors

The Forest Grove Senior and Community Center is governed by a volunteer board of directors that guides our mission and vision and supports the organization through their philanthropic efforts. Our board members are dedicated to ensuring that the mission of the organization is executed. We are currently accepting applications for Board of Director members. Please join us in thanking our esteemed board members for their time and dedication to our work.

Jeff Duyck

President Jeff is currently retired and has lived in Forest Grove for 26 years. He serves on the board to give back to the community, and seeks to enlarge and modernize the facilities, and stabilize the money end of the center. The good things the center does for the community and the services it offers are the best things about the FGSCC, according to Jeff.

Adam Kolb

Vice President Adam works for TTM Technologies and has been a Grover for 9 years. After volunteering at events, he put his skills to use on the board. His favorite aspect are the people, “everyone here is here for a common purpose to serve the folks of our community.” His goals are to continue the traditions here, achieve financial stability and see the center contribute back to the community.

Janet Anderson

Treasurer Janet is currently retired and has lived in Forest Grove for 52 years. She serves on the board to help her community as a volunteer. She says the best thing about the center are the people and volunteer opportunities. She wants to see more events and services offered in the center’s future.

Laura Norton

Secretary Laura retired recently from TTM Technologies and worked in Forest Grove for many years. She serves on the board to use her management background and operational skills to advocate for the seniors and disabled in our community. She wants to see more events and activities for our active seniors by developing stronger support from the community. The best part about the Senior and Community Center are the many volunteers and the people we serve.

Avonne Dressler

Avonne is retired and moved from Portland in 1980. The best thing about the FGSCC is the way they take care of the elderly members. “It is like an extended family. They are interested in each one of us and make us feel special.” She seeks to increase the day trips planned, and to “keep doing the good work they are doing.”

Jeff Marsh

Jeff is now retired after over 40 years in the food management industry. It’s his believe that everyone has a responsibility to give back their talents to their community and fellow neighbors who are in need of support or direction. Jeff’s goal is to support the Executive Director and assist in providing financial and operational planning so FGSCC can continue to be a safe place for people of all ages and meet, obtain information and just enjoy themselves.

Herb Howell

Herb came to FGSCC with vast experience in non-profit strategic planning and board development. He is a retired Civil Servant from New Mexico, a professor and is still a collegiate rugby coach. Herb is on the Board of Directors for the Sister Cities Program for the City of Forest Grove and in his spare time is researching the history of rugby in Northern Wales.

Sharon Olmstead

Sharon works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones and has called Forest Grove home since 2011 after graduating from Pacific University. Her involvement with FGSCC began when her and her family started volunteering at the First Friday Dinners. Sharon appreciates the services and resources available at The Center and hopes to see those same things expand in not only serving seniors, but the community as a whole. She would like to expand the community’s knowledge of what The Center does and who it helps.

Ralph Brown

Ralph is a retired teacher, counselor and administrator from the Hillsboro School District. He serves as co-president of the Cornelius Booster Club and enjoys helping out with many sports related activities (especially running) around the area. His goal is to encourage seniors from Cornelius to participate in the many positive programs at the FG Senior and Community Center.

Testimonials

“My favorite thing about it is that it serves so many types of people. Different crowds come for all different events and it is all inclusive.”
Bobbi N.

“Uplifting, Need-Meeting, Visionary”
Sherry G.

“The Mayors’ Dinner and Auction allows the City Council an up close example of the Center’s work, and gives the community a look at the City Council’s buy in.”
Mayor Pete Truax