About Us
Our History
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 a 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!
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.
Adam Kolb
President Adam works for TTM Technologies and has been a Grover for 15 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.
Jeff Duyck
Vice President Jeff is currently retired and has lived in Forest Grove for 30 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.
Laura Norton
Treasurer
Wolanda Groombridge
Secretary Wolanda Groombridge, born and raised in American Samoa. American Samoa is 2600 miles SW of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Wolanda came to the United States in 1990 where she attended West Hills College and Cal State Stanislaus. American Samoa is known for its love of Football and great football players. Wolanda enjoys working with Seniors, she started her career in Long Term care in 2001. Served on the Budget Committee for the City of Forest Grove for 4 ½ years. Goals and expectations to bring to the Board is to raise funds for the center.
Tim Rippie
Tim is a retired Army officer who enjoys serving his community in various ways. He has lived in Forest Grove for 17 years. He hopes to bring his strategic planning and fiscal management skills to the Board to help it expand its services to include more community events for youth and families in addition to the seniors it already services successfully.