History

Throughout its history as a settlement house, Friendly House has adapted to meet the needs of people living in Northwest Portland and the urban core. This experimental approach has allowed Friendly House to remain nimble over the years, responding to new needs as they arise. Today, Friendly House is a modern-day settlement house whose primary goal is to build community from the ground up.

1930 

Friendly House, formerly known as the Marshall Street Community Center, is founded by the First Presbyterian Church to provide services for individuals and families impacted by the Great Depression. Its first director was Amelia Anderson, for whom the Friendly House administrative office building is named.

1940s

During World War II, childcare and after school care programs are expanded to meet the needs of working families. 

1950s

Local affordable housing issues become a priority. Chapel services are discontinued as a secular settlement house model of services is established.

1960s

A focus on services for the elderly emerges. Friendly House starts the Northwest Pilot Project. Friendly House is incorporated as a nonprofit agency. 

1970s

Friendly House helps start the Northwest District Association and other community-building entities. A long-standing partnership with ESCO begins.

1978

Friendly House becomes a contractor with Multnomah County to provide services to support older adults living in their own homes. This marks the beginning of the Friendly House Senior Services Program. 

1980s

Friendly Chaps, later renamed Friendly House After School, opens to serve children at Chapman School. All-day summer camp also begins. Multnomah County Aging Services branch co-locates with Senior Services, and the county contract helps provide housing and services to homeless families. Youth on the Move, later moved to Portland Community College, opens to serve homeless and low-income youth to get their GEDs and job skill training. 

1994

Newly renovated Community Center, later renamed the Crawford Building, opens, becoming a “living room” for Northwest Portland, and the Community Recreation & Education Program begins.

1999

A coalition of organizations and volunteers comes together to address the number of  LGBT older adults who are not accessing necessary services. In 2001, the Elder Resource Alliance (ERA) is formed to provide culturally sensitive resources. 

2000s

Its first 5-year strategic plan puts Friendly House on track to compete for major grants and to critically evaluate its programs. With help from the Con-Way Corporation and others, the Crawford Building mortgage is paid off.

2012/2013

Friendly House’s ERA program adds LGBT older adult housing advocacy to the roster of services. Funding increases with Multnomah County’s support for case management and wellness activities through their Enhancing Equity contract. In 2013 the program is renamed SAGE Metro Portland to reflect our work with the national nonprofit, SAGE,  which is also dedicated to services and advocacy for LGBT seniors.

2016

Friendly House develops outreach programming that transforms affordable senior and multi-generational apartment communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness and creativity. We bring arts-based programming and case management services to restricted income apartment buildings in Portland.

2018

Friendly House Preschool transitions from a half-day program to full-day—a long-time goal for the organization. Community Services is awarded an expanded contract to provide services for older adults on the west side of Multnomah County and LGBT older adults throughout Multnomah County.

2019

Friendly House Preschool adds a second full-day program including one year-round, 10-hour per day class, and one seven-hour class that follows the Portland Public School calendar. Friendly House Summer Camp adds a youth camp, designed for young people going into 4th–6th grade. Community Recreation & Education contracts with Home Forward to provide health and wellness programming at five Home Forward buildings in the urban core.