Agency Details:

University Heights Center For The Community Association

The mission of UHCCA is to build a sense of neighborhood by:

• Providing a safe, attractive, and accessible place for the community to gather, play, learn, create, work, volunteer and celebrate, and
• Offering and supporting quality programs, events, and services responsive to the needs of the community.
  
  

Our vision is “The creation of a multi-use urban center revitalizing the University District community and its unique character by becoming a reflection of the past, security for the present, and a vehicle to the future.”

Description:
University Heights Center for the Community Association (UHCCA) is a not-for profit 501C-3 organization now serving the U District and Greater Seattle area for almost 20 years. We are located in the heart of the University District on the corner of NE 50th St and University Way NE (the Ave).

For over a century, this building has served the community’s children as a public school, and now continues to serve over 130,000 people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities annually with over 150 groups utilizing classroom space for ongoing classes, programs and workshops, and more.

The Center is home to a variety of long-term tenants. These include the University District Farmer’s Market, The Northwest Choirs, Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre, a K-5 school - Academy for Precision Learning, and a German language immersion pre-school/kindergarten – the Seattle Area German American School(SAGAS). The focus of these organizations range from arts & education, to community and personal growth, to sustainability and political action.

Daytime events include children's music classes, local organization meetings and yoga classes. Evening courses in dance, languages, community development, and martial arts are conducted every evening. UHCCA's annual program, U Heights Plaza Days Program operates at the same time as the spring to fall Farmer’s Market every Saturday, hosts the annual U District Community Cleanup and hosts a variety of ongoing classes, activities and workshops.

UHCCA is the “town hall” for the University District providing meeting space for local businesses, open public meetings, and free rental space for other non-profits.

History:
In 1988, University Heights was placed on a list of north end schools to be considered for closure by the Seattle School District. On April 20th, 1988, hundreds of parents, students, staff, and supporters protested plans to close the school by joining hands and forming a circle around the historic building, chanting “Be cool, save our school.”

District officials cited the high costs of maintaining the 82 year old structure, while supporters cited the advantages of a multi-ethnic urban environment and the quality of academic programs. A lawsuit was filed, challenging the district’s decision to close the school and, in January 1989 King Co. Superior Court ruled the closure could proceed. University Heights Elementary closed it’s doors in early 1989.

Unwilling to let this community resource and historic landmark be lost, local residents, parents, and area businesses who had tried to save the school, organized and reopened the facility as the neighborhood organization - the University Heights Center for the Community Association (UHCCA), on May 1st, 1989.

This organization was formed by a group of citizens who believed that this building should continue to be used for growth, learning and the community. The University Heights Center maintains the belief that "Old Schools Still Teach" and continues to focus on building neighborhood and providing opportunities for learning and growth in a historical setting.

Contact people:

Ruth Rosa, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Dorothy Lengyel, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Mike Dash, President, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (206) 527-4278
Office fax number: (206) 527-7617

Address:

5031 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.uhcca.org

Directions:

From I-5: Take exit 169, (either north or south) to the NE 50th Street exit. Head East on NE 50th St. Proceed on NE 50th St. for approximately half a mile till you reach NE 50th St and University Way NE.. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes

Last updated on July 16, 2009