Ukandu Will Open New Portland Community Center in October

The 22,000-square-foot facility will offer year-round programming and family support services starting October 21, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy

Ukandu Will Open New Portland Community Center in October

Live Poll

Do you believe non-profits in your area should prioritize year-round community centers over event-based programs?

Nonprofit Ukandu is expanding its operations with the launch of a new community center in the Lair Hill neighborhood of South Portland on October 21, 2026. The 22,000-square-foot space, known as The Loft, marks a strategic transition from the organization's traditional seasonal camp model to year-round family support.

Why it matters

By moving from week-long summer camps to a permanent, localized facility, Ukandu increases the frequency and accessibility of its services for families managing pediatric cancer. This operational shift allows the organization to provide continuous resources, such as financial literacy workshops and counseling, rather than serving families only during limited camp windows.

The new 22,000-square-foot center marks a significant scale increase for Ukandu, which has operated since 1986. The organization previously relied on a seasonal model that included week-long summer camps for ages 8 to 18 and a coastal family program introduced in 2022.

The players

Ukandu

A nonprofit organization that has provided specialized camp programs for children with cancer and their families since 1986.

Jason Hickox

The CEO of Ukandu who has been associated with the organization since serving as a volunteer camp counselor in 1988.

The details

The Loft utilizes its 22,000-square-foot footprint to house a two-story climbing wall, an arts room, and a dedicated caregiver lounge. The transition enables the nonprofit to host ongoing support groups and workshops on practical topics like financial literacy and cooking. These services aim to provide a recurring support structure for families navigating the logistical and emotional demands of pediatric cancer care in Portland.

1986: Ukandu began offering week-long summer camps.
1988: CEO Jason Hickox began as a volunteer camp counselor.
2022: Ukandu began offering family camp on the coast.
October 21, 2026: The Loft community center opens.

Market Landscape

The opening of The Loft follows the expansion pattern established by the 2022 launch of Ukandu's Oregon coast family camp by creating a more permanent, accessible service footprint. This move marks a departure from the organization's historically temporary, project-based program model.

Business owners and operators supporting local nonprofits should note the shift toward permanent facilities, which often signals a change in resource allocation and fundraising requirements. Monitor how this facility impacts local service delivery to determine if your firm’s community engagement or corporate social responsibility partnerships should be recalibrated.

The takeaway

The Loft represents a fundamental shift in nonprofit service delivery from temporary camp events to permanent, ongoing community support. Operators should track how such structural transitions affect the organization's need for long-term operational partnerships compared to one-off sponsorships.