Soul Restoration Center in Portland is closing down

The Soul Restoration Center in Portland is shutting down after losing its lease in the historic Albina Arts building. This center has been a vibrant space for Black culture and community activities over the past three years. It offered art classes, wellness sessions, and support groups, but financial struggles made it impossible to pay the rent. Founder S. Renee Mitchell started the Soul Restoration Center to create a welcoming environment for everyone. Unfortunately, since last July, the center has been unable to cover its rent, which has now reached $15,000. The Albina Arts building has a rich history, once serving as a hub for the Black community in Portland. The space has changed hands over the years due to gentrification and organizational shifts. Recently, it was managed by the Oregon Community Foundation. Previous efforts to buy the building were made by Don’t Shoot PDX, aiming to restore it as a community center. Mitchell faced difficulties in accessing city grant funds meant to support her programs. Delays in reimbursements from the fiscal sponsor, the Black United Fund of Oregon, added to her financial woes. After legal disputes involving her sister, who worked as her assistant, the situation became more complicated. Despite attempts by the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center to assist, the center could not meet its financial obligations. Last week, Mitchell and her staff began packing up and dismantling the center. In an emotional farewell, Mitchell expressed her regret about closing the space.