Central City Concern Opens Old Town Recovery Center

John Hardesty, Andy Miller and Matt Godt of Walsh Construction, general contractor on the project. Construction was completed in roughly 15 months.

Portland, December 15th. Over 300 supporters celebrated the Grand Opening of Central City Concern’s Old Town Recovery Center. John Hardesty, Andy Miller and Matt Godt of Walsh Construction, the general contractor on the project, enjoyed the event. Construction at the corner of West Burnside and Broadway was completed in roughly 15 months. (Photos by Andie Petkus)

CCC Board Chair Dean Gisvold and Board Vice Chair George "Bing" Sheldon

The new facility on the site of the old Burger King on Burnside is a state-of-the-art health-care building.

CCC Founding board member Sally McCracken, current board members Pauline Anderson and Linda Girard

The VIP reception of funders and people actively engaged in the rapid pace completion of the building was followed by an open house for the entire community. The building will enable CCC to more fully integrate physical and behavioral health-care for its 4,000 plus clients who receive care at the Old Town Clinic and the Old Town Recovery Center.

Paul Jeffreys, architect from SERA Architects with Sean Hubert, Senior Director of Housing at Central City Concern.

Diana deForest, Deputy Regional Administrator, Healthy Resources and Services Administration (US Dept of Health and Human Services) major funder with an $8.95 million grant, with Carole Romm, CCC Director of Community Partnerships & Strategic Development.

CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn with Dr. Bruce Goldberg, Director, Oregon Health Authority

Kathleen Roy, Director of Mental Health, CCC OTRC and Rachel Solotaroff, MD, Director, Old Town Clinic; Medical Director, Central City Concern

Dr. Bruce Goldberg addresses guests in the building's third floor classroom space where upwards of 140 medical residents and students from 15 different medical institutions will learn more about providing services to vulnerable, low income and homeless individuals.

Second floor waiting area near the atrium which allows increased natural lighting contributing to the building's Gold LEED rating.

Kathleen Roy, Director of Mental Health, CCC OTRC, leads a tour of the building. Nearly 300 people toured the facility.

From Central City Concern:

Central City Concern meets its mission through innovative outcome based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

Direct access to housing which supports lifestyle change.
Integrated healthcare services that are highly effective in engaging people who are often alienated from mainstream systems.
The development of peer relationships that nurture and support personal transformation and recovery.
Attainment of income through employment or accessing benefits.

The success of these four elements results in an transformation of world view and self image from a negative to a positive outlook, enabling people to become productive citizens who want to “give something back” to the community

Central City Concern (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment. CCC currently has a staff of 600, an annual operating budget of $38 million and serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.