Plan Your Leaven Visit: Coworking, Events, Meetings & Rentals
Leaven Community Center is at 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, near NE Killingsworth Street. It is not a conventional city recreation center with one fixed daily program schedule. Leaven is a shared neighborhood hub used for coworking, community organizing, recovery meetings, nonprofit partners, workshops, concerts, meals, volunteer projects, spiritual gatherings and private rentals.
Information reviewed October 30, 2026. Event times, partner programs and room availability change throughout the year.
Hours: There Is No One Universal Building Schedule
Leaven’s official website does not publish one set of opening and closing hours that applies to every activity in the building. The most clearly published regular public-access schedule is for the Sunroom coworking space, which is generally open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
| Reason for Visiting | Time / Rule to Use |
|---|---|
| Sunroom coworking | Generally Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. |
| Room rental | Time is arranged with Leaven and depends on availability. |
| Concert | Sanctuary concert bookings are available Friday and Saturday nights and on the first, third and fifth Sundays, subject to confirmation. |
| Recovery meeting | Use the specific meeting schedule; several groups meet in the evening or late at night. |
| Salt & Light gathering | Sunday gathering begins at 10 AM. |
| Partner event | Use that partner’s event page because markets, Repair Cafés and workshops follow separate calendars. |
Free Sunroom Coworking
The public Sunroom is one of Leaven’s most useful everyday resources. Leaven says it is generally available Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM for people looking for a quiet place to work.
- Free public Wi-Fi.
- Tables that can be arranged for individuals or small groups.
- Adjacent kitchenette with microwave and sink.
- Coffee and tea.
- Gender-inclusive restrooms.
- Financial, coffee and tea donations are appreciated but not required for ordinary coworking use.
If you primarily need recreation, a gym or an indoor pool rather than coworking and community space, the nearby Matt Dishman Community Center guide covers Portland Parks drop-in recreation, fitness, aquatics and rentals.
Programs & Community Activities
Leaven organizes neighbors around shared concerns using listening, research, relationship-building and collective action.
Current organizing work includes developing Leaven as a neighborhood Community Resilience Hub centered on mutual support, food, emergency readiness and community-designed space.
Leaven has used shared, pay-as-you-can meals to bring neighbors together. Meal dates are event-based rather than a guaranteed daily food service.
Several 12-step groups meet throughout the week, including late-night meetings. Use the official recovery schedule because entrances differ.
Repair PDX holds Repair Café events at Leaven, and the Northeast Portland Tool Library is also based at the site.
The building hosts performances, creative workshops, community education and partner-run events throughout the year.
For a more traditional Portland Parks facility with scheduled classes, youth activities and a gymnasium, see the Montavilla Community Center visitor guide.
Current Recovery Meeting Schedule
Leaven’s official recovery page currently lists the following 12-step meetings:
| Meeting | Current Listed Time |
|---|---|
| Vast Forces | Monday · 7:30 PM |
| Alberta Men’s Meeting | Tuesday · 8 PM |
| The Salty Bunch | Wednesday · 8 PM |
| Altered Egos | Thursday · 7:30 PM |
| What If It’s Wonderful? | Thursday · 7:30 PM |
| The Nite Owls | Every night · 11 PM |
Room Rentals: Rates, Discounts & Booking
Leaven rents meeting and event space at below-market rates. The current official rental page lists ordinary meeting/event rooms from $25 to $78 per hour, depending on room size and amenities.
| Rental Detail | Current Official Information |
|---|---|
| Meeting/event space | $25–$78 per hour depending on room and amenities. |
| QTBIPOC-led organization discount | 20% discount. |
| Concert / benefit event | $150 or 10% of the door, whichever is greater. |
| Rental contact | space@leaven.org |
| Sanctuary concerts | Friday and Saturday nights plus the first, third and fifth Sundays, subject to availability. |
| Sound equipment | Leaven says the sanctuary does not have a sound system; performers must provide their own. |
| Music cutoff | Music must finish by 10 PM to comply with Portland’s sound ordinance. |
Spaces pictured on Leaven’s current rental page include the Sanctuary, Sunroom, Seashell Room, Chapel, Study, Swap Room and Basement Hall. Confirm the exact room, capacity, furniture, accessibility and equipment before committing to the event.
How to Reserve Space
Know whether you need a meeting, workshop, concert, class, celebration or benefit event.
Have your expected guest count and room setup ready.
Prepare a preferred date plus one or two backup options.
Send your event details to space@leaven.org and ask for the correct room, price and availability.
Do not advertise the event until Leaven confirms availability, price and any conditions.
Accessibility
Leaven states that the building is ADA accessible. The official rental page specifically lists:
- Ramp access at the main-floor entrance.
- Ramp access at the basement entrance.
- An ADA-accessible restroom on the main level.
If your event requires a particular accessible entrance, room arrangement or restroom route, include that requirement in your rental email before booking.
Parking & Arrival
For City-listed Repair PDX events at Leaven, Portland directs visitors to the parking lot off NE 20th Avenue and to nearby street parking. That does not guarantee a reserved space for every Leaven event.
Use 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97211 for navigation. If your activity is in the basement, read the event instructions carefully because some groups use the parking-lot entrance while others use an outside staircase on Killingsworth Street.
Upcoming & Recurring Events to Know About
Leaven’s calendar changes frequently because many events are organized by resident and partner groups rather than by one recreation department.
Repair Café — November 14, 2026: the City of Portland currently lists a Repair PDX Repair Café at Leaven from 12 PM–3 PM. Volunteers help with eligible small appliances, bicycles and clothing repairs. Check the City event page before bringing an item because repair categories can vary.
BIPOC Community Market: Equitable Giving Circle’s current calendar lists free-market events at Leaven on Thursdays, including November 5, November 12 and November 19, 2026, from 10 AM–2 PM. The market is intended for BIPOC community members and offers produce and pantry items.
Tool Library, Repair PDX & Nearby Community Resources
The Leaven building hosts several organizations and community projects. Portland’s Resourceful PDX directory identifies the Northeast Portland Tool Library at the same 5431 NE 20th Avenue address and also lists Repair PDX events there.
Do not assume the tool library follows Leaven’s coworking hours. Check the tool library’s own borrowing schedule before traveling specifically to borrow or return tools.
For bicycle repair, used bikes, DIY workspace access and mechanic classes nearby on Alberta Street, the Community Cycling Center Portland guide is a useful supporting resource.
Salt & Light Sunday Gathering
Leaven is a secular nonprofit community organization, but its building is also home to Salt & Light Lutheran Church. The congregation currently gathers Sundays at 10 AM in person at Leaven and online by Zoom.
Families are welcome, and the current program information includes children’s participation and age-appropriate activities. Visitors attending for another Leaven event should not assume the Sunday worship schedule represents general building hours.
Community Resilience & Organizing
Leaven is actively developing its site as a Community Resilience Hub. The project focuses on a neighborhood space where people can grow and share food, build relationships, exchange resources and skills, prepare for emergencies and strengthen local decision-making.
The organization also runs broader community-organizing work and its Land & Housing Coalition, which focuses on affordable housing and the use of faith-owned land for housing.
If what you need instead is a full-service Portland recreation facility with pool programming, the Southwest Community Center pool guide explains aquatics access, fees and current facility conditions.
5-Step First-Visit Plan
- Choose the purpose of your visit. Decide whether you need coworking, a rental, recovery meeting, partner service, community event, volunteer opportunity or Salt & Light gathering.
- Check the exact schedule. Use Leaven’s calendar or the relevant partner page because the building does not use one universal schedule for every activity.
- Confirm the entrance and room. Recovery groups, basement events and main-floor programs may use different entrances.
- Confirm cost or registration. Coworking is generally free, while rentals and some events have fees or registration requirements.
- Use the official contact for the final action. For room reservations email space@leaven.org; for events, volunteering or partner programs use the applicable official page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Leaven Community Center in Portland?
Leaven Community Center is at 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, at NE 20th Avenue and NE Killingsworth Street in Northeast Portland.
What are Leaven Community Center’s hours?
Leaven does not publish one universal building-hours schedule for every activity. Its free public Sunroom coworking space is generally open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Rentals, recovery meetings, worship, markets, concerts and other events use their own schedules.
Is the Leaven Sunroom coworking space free?
Yes. Leaven says the Sunroom is generally open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM as a free public coworking space with Wi-Fi, coffee and tea. Donations are appreciated.
How much does it cost to rent space at Leaven Community Center?
Leaven lists meeting and event space rentals from $25 to $78 per hour depending on room size and amenities. QTBIPOC-led organizations receive a 20% discount. Concert and benefit events are priced at $150 or 10% of the door, whichever is greater.
How do I reserve a room at Leaven Community Center?
Email space@leaven.org with your event type, preferred date and time, expected attendance, room needs and backup dates. Wait for availability and pricing confirmation before announcing the event.
Is Leaven Community Center ADA accessible?
Yes. Leaven states that the building has ramps at the main-floor and basement entrances and an ADA-accessible restroom on the main level.
Does Leaven Community Center host recovery meetings?
Yes. Leaven currently lists several 12-step groups during the week, including Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening meetings plus the Nite Owls meeting every night at 11 PM. Entrance locations differ by group.
Does Leaven Community Center have parking?
Portland City event listings for Repair PDX at Leaven direct visitors to the parking lot off NE 20th Avenue and to street parking. Parking availability is not guaranteed for every event, so follow event-specific instructions.
What kinds of programs and events happen at Leaven Community Center?
Leaven hosts community organizing, resilience work, community meals, workshops, concerts, recovery meetings, spiritual gatherings, volunteer opportunities and partner programs. The building also houses or hosts community partners such as the Northeast Portland Tool Library and Repair PDX events.
What is the next Repair Café at Leaven Community Center?
The City of Portland lists a Repair PDX Repair Café at Leaven Community on November 14, 2026, from noon to 3 PM. Visitors can bring eligible small appliances, clothing or bicycles for repair help; check the event page for current details before attending.
Official Links for Final Actions
- Leaven Community official website
- Coworking, accessibility, rental rates and room booking
- Current events and concerts
- Current recovery meeting schedule and entrances
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community Resilience Hub project
For rentals, concerts, partner events or time-sensitive meetings, confirm the exact date, entrance and room through Leaven or the event organizer before traveling.