Swap-n-Play is a cooperative community sharing space in North Portland.
Our Mission: We exist to establish and maintain a network of families whose mission is threefold: (1) provide material resources and promote sustainability of the Portland metropolitan area through community sharing efforts (2) provide educational resources to children, parents and families, and (3) collaborate in partnerships with other organizations to create and implement large scale community outreach projects that provide educational and material resources for North Portland communities.
Swap: Members bring in usable toys, books, clothes, gear and more to be shared in the space or taken home by other families. Over time, member families take items they need in exchange for what they have brought. Swapping is done on the honor system, a system we feel is important as it encourages trust, an important element in our efforts to build community.
Play: Outdoor and indoor play spaces are designed for children up to age 10. There is a large open play area for gross motor skill development and five pocket rooms off the main room where specialized play happens, from Lego building to craft projects.
Creative Learning: Scheduled classes that encourage growth are offered in music, art, reading and movement. Artists, teachers and co-op members teach in the space at no extra charge or ongoing commitment to members.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, RETHINK: From our recycle station for non-curbside recycling to our green sewing classes, opportunities to rethink our relationship to consumption present themselves throughout swapnplay. By sharing our personal resources and combining efforts towards reducing our carbon, we can have a greater impact on preserving the world around us.
How are we funded? The space is generously provided to us by Red Sea Church for the cost of utilities, helping us keep membership fees as low as possible. Co-op members pay a one time enrollment fee of $20 and $20 per month. Co-op members are asked to join for quarterly sessions. These fees cover the costs of utilities, insurance, teachers, artists, supplies, promotion, repayment of our startup loan and a small director’s salary.
Where is the St Johns Swap n Play located?
Inside the Red Sea Church building at the corner of N Chicago Ave and N Leonard St in downtown St Johns, just three blocks from the St. Johns Community center and one block off of N Lombard.
