On Oct. 4 Sherman Heights Community Center celebrated a milestone with a press conference marking its 30th anniversary since opening its doors in 1994.
Established in 1984, the center has provided essential services to the Sherman Heights community and beyond for 40 years. The event brought together community partners, elected leaders, and volunteers to reflect on the center’s legacy of leadership, cultural preservation, and empowerment while unveiling forward-looking initiatives. These include the ribbon-cutting for the newly installed solar energy system under the Clean Energy and Resilience Project and the announcement of an $82,500 grant from the El Camino Fund to support Sherman Cocina, the center’s culinary entrepreneurship program.
“For four decades, Sherman Heights Community Center has been a place of learning, growth, and support, where our staff, volunteers, and community have worked tirelessly to uplift this neighborhood,” said Daniela Kelly, executive director, of Sherman Heights Community Center. As we celebrate this milestone, we not only honor our past but also look to the future with pride, launching new initiatives that will further strengthen our community and create sustainable opportunities for the next generation.”
The press conference highlighted the Center’s commitment to sustainability with the unveiling of the Sherman Heights Community Center Clean Energy Resilience Project. This new initiative features a 24.1kW solar power system paired with energy storage, which is projected to save over $4,500 in its first year and potentially more than $440,950 over its lifespan as utility rates increase. These savings will be reinvested into the Center’s programs and services, directly benefiting the thousands of families it serves annually.
“The Clean Energy and Resilience Project is more than a solar and storage installation—it represents a commitment to environmental justice and sustainability for the Sherman Heights community while reducing carbon emissions, supporting local green jobs and providing clean energy awareness,” said Tara Hammond, Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, which guided the center through this project from concept through completion, including securing grants and hosting a pickleball fundraiser. This neighborhood has endured decades of environmental inequities, and this project is a step toward addressing those injustices by providing clean, reliable energy.”
Additionally, the center announced it has received an $82,500 grant from the San Diego Foundation’s El Camino Fund to support Sherman Cocina, a 10-week small business incubator that provides home cooks and aspiring food entrepreneurs with hands-on training, business mentorship, and essential employment support. The bilingual and culturally relevant program graduated its first cohort of 15 participants in June 2024. Additionally, El Camino Fund will help enhance current adult programming, including ESL and digital literacy, healthy parenting, and mental health initiatives..
The press conference also announced the Center’s upcoming 30th annual Día de los Muertos celebration—San Diego County’s longest-running event of its kind. Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who represents the district housing Sherman Heights Community Center, reflected on the Center’s impact: “For 30 years, Sherman Heights Community Center has been a beacon of hope, offering critical services and preserving cultural traditions like Día de los Muertos. I’m proud to support the Center’s efforts to improve the lives of residents in this district and beyond, through initiatives promoting sustainability, economic opportunity, and cultural pride.”
As Sherman Heights Community Center looks ahead, it remains committed to empowering the community, enriching cultural heritage, and advancing sustainability. With new projects like the Clean Energy Project and Sherman Cocina, the Center is poised to continue serving as a cornerstone of the neighborhood for years to come.
