When asking yourself about something to do near me in Portland with a group of friends or family, consider
Social Justice Action Center
Why Social Justice Action Center is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Social Justice Action Center (SJAC) in Southeast Portland is a pivotal grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering marginalized communities, particularly people of color. Situated in a historic building at 400 SE 12th Ave, SJAC offers a vibrant community space that serves as a vital meeting and event hub for progressive and radical movement groups. The center fosters collaboration, trust, and solidarity among diverse grassroots organizations through its six main programs, which include managing event spaces, coordinating a community kitchen, offering educational and organizing development, providing low-income housing, and hosting free community events and film series. SJAC is notable for prioritizing leadership from marginalized communities and respecting the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Multnomah and Chinookan peoples. The organization encourages community involvement through various committees focused on operations, engagement, facilities, and development, providing ample opportunities for individuals to contribute meaningfully. Accessibility is a priority, with provisions such as wheelchair access and openness to other accommodation requests. The center's deep commitment to cultural building, mutual understanding, and solidarity makes it an inspiring place to meet up with friends and engage in meaningful social justice work.
Here's what people think of Social Justice Action Center
As of recent, Social Justice Action Center holds a 4.4-star rating based on 36 reviews.
Reviews of the Social Justice Action Center generally reflect an appreciation for its role as a nurturing community space supportive of grassroots activism and social justice. Users praise the center for its welcoming atmosphere, the variety of programs, and the strong focus on marginalized communities, particularly people of color. Positive reviews highlight the diversity and inclusiveness of events, the sense of solidarity among participants, and the effectiveness of the community kitchen and educational workshops in fostering empowerment. The venue's accessibility and location in the heart of Southeast Portland are also frequently commended. On the other hand, some critical feedback points to occasional difficulties with event scheduling, communication, and limited space availability due to high demand. A few reviews mention the need for enhanced maintenance or upgrades to the facilities to improve the experience further. Despite these critiques, the overall consensus is that the Social Justice Action Center remains a crucial and beloved space for community organizing and progressive action. Its continuing growth and adaptability promise a sustained positive impact on local social justice movements and collaborative efforts.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Mungen Cakes
Had a nice memorial for a comrade who had passed. So glad that space is available for people. Not the tidiest, nor does it have very good amenities but they are there when you need them.
Jeff Liddicoat
There aren’t a lot of efforts to bring together the most street level elements of the left (or whatever one wants to call the non fascist elements of the community). The site had housed the red and black cafe which was a central hub for promoting the understanding of anarchy. And SJAC continues to maintain a small reading library put together for that purpose. A group focused on addressing the food needs of neighbors hit hard by the pandemic operates out of sjac several days a week. Another group helps the homeless primarily with hygiene products and coffee. A First Nations group meets weekly. And more.
matthew pierson
I lived next door for quite a while, right behind Sweet pea bakery. The spot was full of radical types. It's a scab in the neighborhood.
lisa fay
Great space for community organizations and meeting space. They have an unique history. The building
Generic Hugh Mungus
I got food poisoning and I called for help, the EMT tried to enter the place but were threatened.
How to reach Social Justice Action Center
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Why Social Justice Action Center may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at the Social Justice Action Center with your friends?
Gathering at the Social Justice Action Center (SJAC) for a rally or meetup with your friends is an exceptional choice for anyone passionate about community, social justice, and direct action. Located in the heart of Southeast Portland, SJAC is more than just a physical space; it’s a vibrant hub cultivated by and for grassroots groups, especially those led by marginalized communities and people of color. With a strong focus on inclusivity and equity, this center provides a welcoming environment where activists, community members, and allies can come together to organize, share ideas, and take collective action. Rallying here means supporting a space rooted deeply in local history and social movements, one that protects community ownership in the face of rising gentrification and development pressures. Beyond its symbolic power as a bastion of resistance, SJAC offers practical resources such as meeting rooms, a community kitchen, event hosting capabilities, and programs designed to nurture solidarity and empowerment. This combination of meaningful history, intentional community support, and fully accessible facilities makes SJAC an ideal rally point for transformative gatherings with friends and like-minded individuals.
What activities can you engage in at the Social Justice Action Center?
SJAC is a dynamic venue offering a wide variety of activities suited for groups eager to engage in social justice work, education, and community bonding. One of the cornerstone activities is the hosting of community events that range from discussions and workshops to film series that explore critical social issues. These events often focus on topics such as racial justice, indigenous sovereignty, housing rights, and more, providing rich educational content that sparks dialogue and inspires action. The center also manages a fully operational commercial kitchen, which is coordinated as a community resource—ideal for groups interested in cooking together for events, fundraisers, or community meals. Additionally, SJAC supports grassroots organizations by offering meeting and retreat spaces where groups can strategize, plan campaigns, or simply connect. Beyond these, SJAC offers storage for community resources and supports low-income housing initiatives, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing various facets of social inequality. Collectively, these activities position the center as a multifaceted hub that nurtures activism across several dimensions, perfect for groups with diverse interests and goals.
Why is the Social Justice Action Center ideal for group meetups?
When looking for a place to host a meetup, especially one focused on social justice or community organizing, the Social Justice Action Center stands out due to its accessibility and intentional community design. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and open to accommodating other accessibility needs, ensuring that everyone in your group can participate comfortably. Its history as a space saved from foreclosure to remain community-owned highlights the commitment to belonging and shared stewardship, which fosters a strong sense of trust and solidarity among attendees. The space’s location in inner Southeast Portland also makes it easily reachable for many local residents, encouraging wide community turnout. Additionally, SJAC houses committees you and your friends can join to get involved more deeply, such as the Facilities Committee, Engagement Committee, or Development Committee, turning a casual meetup into a gateway for continuous activism. The center’s emphasis on uplifting marginalized voices creates an inclusive atmosphere where diverse groups feel safe and empowered to express themselves and collaborate. These features combined mean that SJAC is not just a venue but a nurturing ground for connection, planning, and collective growth, making it perfect for a successful, productive group meetup.
What programs and services does the Social Justice Action Center provide?
The Social Justice Action Center runs six main programs that serve both the local community and grassroots activists, making it a comprehensive resource for a variety of services. These include:
- Community Space Management: Providing rooms and facilities for meetings, retreats, and events tailored to movement-building activities.
- Community Kitchen Coordination: Operating a commercial kitchen available for cooperative cooking projects, community meals, and food justice initiatives.
- Community Organizing and Education: Offering workshops, film series, open discussions, and educational resources focused on social justice themes.
- Low-Income Housing Provision: Supporting housing initiatives aimed at reducing displacement and increasing affordability for marginalized populations.
- Open Hours Program: Providing a safe space during specified times for community connection, networking, and resource sharing.
- Storage and Office Space: Hosting organizational storage and offering office space to grassroots groups needing reliable facilities.
These comprehensive programs create a self-sustaining hub for cultural building, social justice education, coalition-building, and mutual aid. The focus on indigenous sovereignty and the leadership of people of color permeates all initiatives, ensuring that the programming supports equity and reflects the history and ongoing struggles of marginalized communities. Such a robust set of offerings makes SJAC a strategic venue for groups looking to merge activism with community support, providing all necessary infrastructure and services under one roof.
How does the Social Justice Action Center foster community collaboration and empowerment?
SJAC’s foundation is built on the guiding principle of fostering collaboration among grassroots organizations, especially those representing marginalized groups. By maintaining a shared space that is communally owned and operated, it cultivates a culture of cooperative leadership and collective empowerment. The center facilitates trust-building and understanding across diverse movements, encouraging groups to work across differences for shared social goals. Regular community events, committees, and open hours provide accessible points of entry for participants to engage, learn, and contribute. Moreover, through its committees—Facilities, Operations, Engagement, and Development—SJAC invites direct participation in governance, allowing the community to shape the space’s direction and sustainability. This democratic approach ensures that community members don’t just use the venue but actively co-create it, reinforcing ownership and commitment to collective wellbeing. The prioritization of indigenous sovereignty and cultural respect also promotes healing and recognition of historic injustices. Such an intentional environment makes SJAC extremely effective as a locus of empowerment and solidarity-building, best suited for groups interested in deepening both their activism and their community ties.
What are the accessibility features and inclusivity policies at the Social Justice Action Center?
SJAC is committed to making its space accessible and welcoming to all, including people with disabilities and those with other specific accessibility needs. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that physical access barriers are minimized. Additionally, the center invites individuals to communicate any other accommodations required to safely navigate and participate in events or meetings, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness. Inclusivity at SJAC goes beyond physical accessibility; it is embedded in the center’s core principles by centering leadership from people of color and marginalized communities and explicitly recognizing the sovereignty of indigenous peoples of the Portland region. This approach creates a respectful atmosphere that honors cultural identities and lived experiences, contributing to a truly inclusive environment. The organization’s volunteer-run, grassroots nature further stresses equity over hierarchy, supporting transparency and mutual respect. This strong commitment to accessibility and inclusivity makes SJAC a place where diverse groups can gather with confidence, knowing that their needs and identities will be respected and affirmed.
What makes the Social Justice Action Center a historically and culturally significant venue?
The building that houses SJAC has an important story: it was once the Red & Black Cafe, a community-owned establishment at risk of foreclosure until a dedicated group of organizers preserved it for social justice use. This act of saving the space from falling into the hands of developers is a testament to the strong community resistance to displacement and gentrification in Portland. The Center honors the history and sovereignty of the indigenous peoples native to the area, including the Multnomah, Chinookan, Kalapuya, and other local tribes, with explicit recognition embedded in its mission. This foundational respect for place and history informs every program and event hosted, grounding activism in a deeper cultural context. By combining this historical significance with active community stewardship, SJAC serves not just as a functional meeting space but also as a living monument to local struggles for justice, equity, and self-determination. Hosting your rally or meetup here connects your gathering to a broader lineage of resistance and community care, enhancing its meaning and impact.
How can groups get involved with the Social Justice Action Center’s community?
Engagement with SJAC extends beyond attending events or using the space; it offers multiple pathways for individuals and groups to become active contributors to its mission. The center operates several committees where members can volunteer their time and expertise—from maintaining the space and its beautiful native plant garden through the Facilities Committee to supporting communications and event planning in the Engagement Committee. Other committees focus on operations, tech, and financial sustainability, providing numerous opportunities for diverse skill sets to find a place. To get involved, interested parties can simply reach out via the center’s email to express their interests. SJAC’s volunteer-driven model means that every contribution helps strengthen the collective capacity and ensures the center remains a vibrant, adaptive hub. For groups looking to host recurring meetings, workshops, or rallies, this direct involvement can deepen relationships and influence how the space evolves. In this way, SJAC is not only a venue but a community co-created and sustained by its members, making it an excellent environment for groups seeking meaningful, ongoing engagement.
What logistical advantages does the Social Justice Action Center offer for group events?
From a practical standpoint, SJAC is well-equipped to support medium to large group events with its variety of spaces suitable for meetings, retreats, and public gatherings. The presence of a commercial kitchen offers a significant benefit for groups wanting to incorporate food preparation or community meals into their programming, which is both culturally enriching and logistically convenient. Storage space also allows organizations to keep materials and supplies on-site, reducing the need for constant transportation. Furthermore, the venue’s location in inner Southeast Portland places it within a vibrant, accessible urban neighborhood with good public transportation options and street parking nearby. The building’s history as a community-owned space means there is a strong ethos of care and respect for the facilities, ensuring a reliable and organized environment for your event. Staffed by volunteers who are deeply committed to social justice, assistance is always at hand to help coordinate logistics, technology support, or event promotion. These practical features make SJAC a superior choice for groups who want their events to run smoothly and reflect their community values.
How does the Social Justice Action Center support marginalized communities?
Supporting marginalized communities is central to SJAC’s mission and identity. The center explicitly prioritizes leadership from people of color and recognizes the sovereignty and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples of the area. It provides low-income housing as one of its key programs, directly addressing economic inequities and the housing crisis that disproportionately affect marginalized populations. The space serves as a gathering point where grassroots groups working on racial justice, immigrant rights, economic justice, and other critical issues can organize without barriers. Through its educational programs, film series, and discussion forums, SJAC fosters awareness and solidarity, allowing for deeper understanding and coalition-building across different communities. The center’s operations are run by volunteers and committees that maintain an open, democratic governance model, ensuring that the voices of those most impacted lead the way. This intentional focus makes SJAC not just a venue but a vital social infrastructure for empowerment and transformative justice within Portland.
What is the overall atmosphere and community experience at the Social Justice Action Center?
Visitors and groups utilizing the Social Justice Action Center consistently describe it as a welcoming, supportive, and energizing environment. Rooted in a shared commitment to social justice and community care, the atmosphere is one of solidarity, learning, and mutual respect. The diversity of people and groups who come through the space creates a rich tapestry of cultural expression and political activism. Whether attending a film screening, meeting for a strategy session, or participating in a potluck dinner, participants encounter an engaged community eager to listen, collaborate, and grow together. The communal ownership and volunteer-driven operations add a genuine sense of collective purpose and belonging. This unique atmosphere makes SJAC an inspiring setting for friends and community members rallying for change, fostering connection, and building momentum for social movements.
With a 4.4-star rating based on 36 reviews, the Social Justice Action Center is clearly appreciated by those who use its facilities and participate in its programs. Its comprehensive offerings, strategic location, and mission-driven focus combine to make it an ideal destination for meetups and rallies aimed at promoting social justice and community empowerment.