For over 40 years, The Washington Street Community Center (WSCC) has continuously provided a place to meet, learn and socialize for young and old area residents.

WSCC was founded by community leaders in 1967 to provide a facility that would assist in the "neighbor helping neighbor" concept in an increasingly mobile society. Originally named the Washington Park Community Center, the name was changed in 1999 to the Washington Street Community Center.

WSCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has been a United Way agency since 1972 and annually meets the standards of that organization.

Volunteers are the backbone of WSCC providing over 2,500 hours annually to further our mission.

Architectural History The original building housing WSCC was built in 1907 by the Ohio Avenue Congregational Church. In 1966 the church merged with the Washington Park Congregational Church (currently located at 400 So. Williams). Phil Goodstein, author of South Denver Saga, picks up the story from there:

"Under the leadership of Elizabeth Clark, the Washington Park United Church of Christ suggested the Ohio Avenue structure be used as a community center. The Colorado Conference of the United Church of Christ agreed and, with the support of the Washington Park United Church of Christ and seven other neighborhood churches, the building was remodeled and opened as the home of the incorporated non-profit Washington Park Community Center in 1967."

The building has been remodeled through city bond issues in 1995 (upgrading of mechanical systems), 1998 (playground renovation) and 2000 (kitchen remodel).

Staff

Stacey Perez, Executive Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before serving as Director, Ms. Perez has been the Account Manager for the Center since 1994. Over the years, she has served on Fund Raising Committees, Special Event Committees,and assisted in the Childcare and Senior Programs, as well as working as the Assistant to the Executive Director.  Stacey holds a degree from Mansfield Business College.  As the current Director, she has worked with Community Resource Center in training for “Marketing and the Media” and the “Grant Seeking Clinic”.  She also attends the “Colorado Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program”.  Ms. Perez brings a special vitality to her role as WSCC’s Executive Director that stems from her direct involvement with every aspect of the Center over the years.

Jane Craft, Senior Program Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jane Craft has been serving at the Community Center for thirty-five years!  Ms. Craft received her certificate in Gerontology from D.U., Denver, and graduated with a Teaching Degree from McMurry University in Texas.  She also attended UNC and Metro in graduate studies.   In addition to her Directorship of the Senior program at WSCC, Jane has served on the Mayor’s Advisory Council (13 years), State Secretary to the Colorado State Parent Teacher Association and as a Board Member of Community Resources, Inc.  Her other community involvements are too numerous to list, but her participation has been honored with many awards, including: The Diana Award for Humanitarianism, from The Epsilon, Sigma, Alpha International-Volunteers of America- The Retired Senior Volunteer Program Site Coordinator of the Year Award- The Washington Park Good Neighbor Award-and a nomination for the J.C. Penney  Golden Rule Award.

Martha Horstman-Evans, Children's Program Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Martha Horstman- Evans has been “Children’s Program Director” since 2001.  However, she has been involved with  the Center in many capacities since 1991.   As the Rental Coordinator, she created the “After Work Stress Relief” program that provided yoga, tai chi and strength classes for working parents.  As the Children’s Program Director, she spearheaded our involvement with QUALISTAR, a program that raises the standards of preschool education.  For the last ten years, she has been the Director of “The Neighborhood Playhouse”- an intergenerational drama program in which the productions are created to fit the needs of the participants.  Martha has worked as a Creative Drama teacher in the Denver and Cherry Creek Schools.  In 2001-3, she developed the award winning “Character Education through the Dramatic Arts” program for Slavens School. (K-8) Martha received her B.F.A. from Webster University and has written and taught for NYC schools.

Current Board Members

Kathy Schumacher, President
Gary Nearpass, Treasurer
Sandy Nearpass, Secretary
Wayne Knox
Doris Burd
Tom Hammar
Skip Waugh
Anita Martin
Don Gorsuch
Jan Hoath