From the Heart: Our 2024 Fundraising Journey
Behind every donation is a person, a moment, a spark of change. These are the stories that keep us going.
At UHeights, the walls don’t just echo with voices—they carry them forward. Over the past year, artists, writers, neighbors, and organizers have all found something real here: a stage, a classroom, a moment of connection, even a second chance.
Giving Tuesday is when people everywhere give back to causes they care about. When you give to UHeights, you're making a real impact right here—supporting local arts, creating space for connection, and helping folks feel seen and supported.
We’ve pulled together some powerful stories that show what happens when a building becomes a community. Whether it’s a performance, a writing group that turns into a lifeline, or a quiet moment of care—this is what showing up looks like.
Where Theatre Brings Community Together 🎭
At UHeights, the stage isn't just a place for performance—it's a space where creative visions come alive, where community finds its voice.
When Pork Filled Productions took the stage at The Auditorium, the energy was something special.
“The atmosphere here is special—it’s funky, comfortable, and totally inviting. It’s the kind of place where creativity flows and community just happens naturally.”
— Roger Tang of Pork Filled Productions
In a city where arts spaces are fading, UHeights keeps the spirit alive—one story, one performance, one gathering at a time.
Finding Your Voice at Any Age ✍️
When retiree Rich Brooks joined our memoir writing group, he found more than a creative outlet—he discovered a community.
What started with an initial essay about swimming has grown into 75 pieces of writing—and more importantly, deep connections with fellow writers who support each other through life's challenges.
“We've jumped into each other's lives in a good way. We have a real context for each other's experiences. We care about each other. ... The memoir class is the first thing that goes on my calendar each month. I really look forward to it!”
— Rich
This Is What You Make Possible 🫶
“I was lost, scared, and didn't know where to turn. They fought for me when no one else would… Through 18 sweeps and a bad hip injury, he kept showing up. Now I’m signing a lease for my own apartment. I can’t imagine where I’d be without UHeights—they fought for me when no one else would.”
— Patrice
Behind the scenes at UHeights, life-changing connections happen every day. When Jonah, our outreach specialist, knocked on Patrice's trailer door, she was experiencing homelessness for the first time in her life. Living alone in a trailer, she tried to push through the crisis in silence. Jonah’s steady presence and belief in her carried Patrice through some of her hardest moments, including multiple sweeps and serious injury. Today, she is signing a lease for her own apartment.
As Neighborhoods Change, UHeights Remains a Place for Community 🏙️
“The U-District has changed so much over the years. So many businesses and special places have disappeared. For a long time, UHeights was the only community space available outside of the university. It's a great place that needs to be preserved for the community–a center of activity, from farmers markets, to arts performances, to neighbors coming together for holiday events.”
— Dale, a longtime friend of UHeights
But UHeights is still here—still hosting farmers markets, arts performances, and neighborhood celebrations.
