Alder Commons. The name has been bandied about for a few years, but if you haven’t had the opportunity to find out more about it, here’s a primer about this multi-faceted, non-profit community center located at the southeast corner of NE 42nd Avenue and Prescott.
At one of BWNA’s general meetings last year, attendees heard from invited guest, Alder Commons representative Rachel Munzig. She described the center as a hub for self-directed work and play.
“Its mission,” Munzig said, “is to cultivate an equitable center of self-directed learners of all ages.”
The organization accomplishes its mission through multi-generational programs that include affinity groups. For example, Munzig said members hold cooking classes, pop-up markets, and woodworking classes, and establish interest-based clubs. There are multi-week classes such as those offered through the Portland Underground Graduate School (PUGS); the two organizations merged in late 2022. Classes are sometimes available to members only and sometimes to the public for a fee.
The center’s philosophy is “Everyone is a student, everyone is a teacher,” Munzig said.
Alder Common’s three core values include self-determination, collective liberation, and community support. Members determine what they want from the center, establish policies, and determine ways to help in the community.
The center uses a membership model similar to the YMCA. Members pay a monthly fee under one of three types of membership: individual, household, and organizational. The starting membership fee is $60 per month, making it accessible to the 83 percent of its members who qualify as low income. Alder Commons seeks donations and grants and organizes fundraisers to support its ability to provide low-cost membership fees.
Alder Commons has accessible parking, two ADA-compliant restrooms, a lounge, a full wood-working shop, library, community kitchen, playroom, meeting room, working room, and backyard area for meeting and play. All of these amenities are available to members.
Alder Commons is located at 4212 NE Prescott St. For more information and to view its activities and events calendar, visit aldercommons.org.