Examining lessons learned and the implicit theory of success from the Mayor’s Community Center Initiative: Project for Portland Parks and Recreation

Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) has expanded its teen services programming since 2015 as part of the Mayor’s Community Center Initiative. This emphasis on youth is an important component of PP&R’s Bureau-wide mission to increase the wellness of Portlanders, especially young people, and create opportunities for people to be “outside, active, and connected to the community.”

Portland State University’s Center for Public Service (CPS) conducted a series of facilitated discussions with PP&R stakeholders to identify lessons learned from the Mayor’s Community Center Initiative, and to identify the underlying model of success for its youth programs.