Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Harden.
Hi Scott, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Recovery is my story and it is the story of the Gresham Senior Center. In December of 2024 I had open heart surgery to get a new aortic valve. I had lost my job prior to my surgery, and I was faced with finding a new job after four months of post-surgery rehabilitation. The senior center is 59 years old, but it was closed for most of 2024 while damage from broken pipes was repaired. The center, like many places had also been a victim of pandemic shutdowns. We began our work in 1965, and we received our non-profit status in 1979.
I started on April 16, 2025. In just over a year, we have expanded our newsletter from 12 to 24 pages. We have expanded distribution from 2,000 to 3,000 copies. We have added 10 new classes, a veteran’s coffee, Friday Speakers Bureau and seminars such as estate planning, renter’s rights and energy savings. We have hosted Chamber Music Northwest for concerts and BloodWorks Northwest for blood drives. Our quilt shop and boutique are thriving.
I enjoy serving people. I am the former Mayor of Wood Village, Oregon. I served on the city council for 12 years. I still serve the city on the planning commission, urban renewal board and budget committee. While much of my career was spent in purchasing and operations, I have experience in the classroom, and I was a Career Development Director for the Springdale Job Corps Center.
I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon. I have been married for 20 years, and my wife Charlotte is very supportive of my work in the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The rebirth of the Gresham Senior Center has taken a great deal of effort, but I would not characterize even one minute as a struggle. I am the only paid employee. We are volunteer run and driven. Our senior volunteers love their work. Many of our instructors began teaching a class after coming to the senior center to take a different class. I met one of our Friday speakers by accident at a Portland Pickles baseball game. It is really all about asking the right questions and listening. We have a strong relationship with the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce, the Historic Downtown Association and our local papers.
Even our twice postponed 2025 benefit car show saw over 100 classic cars on our third scheduled date. Even rain didn’t prove to be an obstacle.
We have healthy resources; however, past budgets have always indicated that we expected to spend more than we make. Our 2026-2027 budget predicts we will finish in the black!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While my degrees are in business and management, I was originally a journalism major. I am excited every time I finish a newsletter layout. I write a monthly senior issues column for the Gresham Outlook. I play a hand in designing our advertising and distributing our message. I have over 20 years of experience as a purchasing coordinator in retail, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing so we are never out of anything,
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Listen, ask questions, don’t assume you know what people want to learn or at what level they want to participate. Never underestimate people. Don’t get in the way of new ideas or tried and true ideas. I like to say that my management style is coaching. However, I am closer to Laissez-faire. I like to offer resources, guidance and check-ins while experienced, thoughtful people do their work. Those experienced and thoughtful people work here at the senior center.
Pricing:
- Classes have a suggested donation of 2.00 or 3 dollars.
- Foot Care is 55.00 dollars
- A ticket to our Tuesday night Dance is 6.00 dollars
- We are looking for monthly donors.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.greshamseniorcenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greshamseniorcenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamseniorctr/
- Twitter: https://x.com/centerdegresham
