Our History

We began in the minds and hearts of caring individuals and it is out of their convictions, ideas and tenacity that our mission unfolds. The 14th Street Community Center was built at the request of concerned residents in the 1940s. It's purpose at the time was to provide recreational opportunities for children residing within the Farley Square Housing Project. The 14th Street Community Center was founded in 1942 and is located in the heart of the African American community in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Today, the Center serves more than 1200 individuals from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods by offering free educational and recreational programs and is actively working to extend our operations to our 17th Street Learning Annex, where completed renovations will allow us to serve the Kendall Heights Housing Complex and surrounding community.

Our VALUES

The Fourteenth Street Community Center shapes the character of young people, nourishes inter-generational bonds, and celebrates Black history and leadership while standing at the forefront of the pursuit of equity and inclusion.

Our Mission

Historically a Black institution, the Fourteenth Street Community Center uses educational, wellness, and social programs to foster creativity, equity, and inclusion for all.