By The Southwest DC Community Center Board of Directors
From the thrills of Arena Stage and The Wharf, to the serenity of Lansburgh Park and the Duck Pond, from the natural beauty of the coastline and water at Buzzard Point to the mesmerizing simplicity of the Titanic Memorial, the Southwest quadrant enjoys an abundance of places to enjoy a cultural, natural, or historical experience. Our organization, the Southwest Community Center, will add to all of that a community hub and gathering place for all residents of Southwest and Navy Yard.
The Community Center—which will occupy space on the first two floors of the not-yet-built high-rise located at the northeast corner of the 4th and M Streets SW intersection—will serve as a central gathering area for the community. While the physical space will serve as a facility for arts events, education and training courses, group classes, and human services including job fairs, the Center will also serve as a conduit for community enrichment.
In the run-up to an expected 2027 ground-breaking, the Community Center’s Board of Directors has been active in pursuing fundraising and raising awareness. In 2024, the Board held monthly meetings and supervised four committees—fundraising, governance, finance, and community engagement/communication. On Saturdays throughout the summer, the Board staffed a table at the Southwest Farmers’ Market (located at the Lot on M), speaking with members of the community and seeking feedback about types of programming community members want to see at the Center. The Board is actively compiling this feedback to prepare for classes and activities when the physical space opens.
For the last three years, the Board has held its signature Mutt Strutt fundraising event in October. Previously held in Lansburgh Park, in 2024 the event moved to the Lot and expanded into a Fall Family Festival, including a neighborhood walk (and prizes) for pups and people, vendors, food trucks, and live music.
“The Mutt Strutt is a fabulous way for community members to come together and enjoy the company of their neighbors. It is a microcosm of what we hope the Center itself will be—a place for community enrichment,” said current Board chair, Gail Fast.
Residents of Southwest and Navy Yard who are interested in joining the Board of Directors, and/or volunteering for the Community Center’s various committees may reach the Board at info@swdccc.org. We look forward to serving the community for decades to come.