About PAC Center

Nurturing the human interactions that are vital for a full life

Our Mission

Grandmother with grandchild

The Mission of the Park Avenue Community Center is to foster creativity, build connections and promote the wellbeing of the community through our inspiring programs, classes and events.  We are a vibrant intergenerational hub that harnesses the power of arts and ideas to enrich, enlighten and change lives.

Our Values

Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility
At the PAC Center, we deeply value and prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. We embrace diversity in all its forms, ensuring that everyone feels respected, valued, and included. We are committed to promoting equity and accessibility, breaking down barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals.

Respectful Communication and Active Listening
Effective communication is at the core of our values. We believe in fostering an atmosphere of respect, where open dialogue and active listening are encouraged. We value the power of respectful communication to build strong relationships, enhance understanding, and foster collaboration among our community members.

Positivity, Fun, and Joy
We believe that positivity, fun, and joy are essential ingredients in creating a vibrant and enriching community. We strive to infuse these elements into everything we do, creating an uplifting and enjoyable experience for all individuals involved. By fostering a positive and joyful atmosphere, we aim to enhance engagement, well-being, and overall satisfaction among our community members.

Environmental Sustainability and Responsible Resource Use
The PAC Center recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability. We are committed to minimizing our ecological footprint and promoting responsible resource use. By adopting sustainable practices and raising awareness about environmental issues, we aim to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for our community and beyond.

Our Facilities

Swarthmore United Methodist Church

Our location at the Swarthmore United Methodist Church fulfills a desire to bring a vital and active community center into the heart of Swarthmore, and to preserve and enhance an existing historic building in the Borough’s downtown.

This exciting location features three performance/event spaces, six meeting/classroom spaces, and will have a newly renovated and certified commercial kitchen that will be able to address food insecurity issues, hold cooking classes, and support health, wellness, and entrepreneurial efforts.

As a part of our commitment to the preservation and enhancement of this unique and beautiful building, we will make improvements over the next several years. The first phase includes the installation of air conditioning, adding audio-visual equipment, and improving the lighting for the main hall. The updates also include modernizing the entrance to the building and installing new signage for branding purposes and wayfinding.

Through current and future fundraising efforts, we hope to move quickly to the second and third phases of improvements: renovating the kitchen to commercial/certified standards, improving accessibility to the facilities, expanding restrooms, and establishing strong environmental and sustainability policies.

Our History

Old Swarthmore Community Center

The Park Avenue Community Center (PAC Center) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. The organization was originally established in 1978 and was formerly known as the Swarthmore Community Center.

Devastated by the combined calamities of the Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of a long-held lease at the Center’s former location on Harvard Avenue, a new Board of Directors was established with a plan to revive PAC Center, right in the heart of Swarthmore with more space and expanded programming.

Keeping the original mission intact…

Providing a place for children and adults to engage in a broad range of educational, recreational, charitable, and networking activities

…the board plans to expand the reach, scope, and impact of this mission by working closely with community partners and groups that make Swarthmore and our surrounding area the vibrant community that it is.

PAC Center Staff

Board of Directors