September 2023
To most, 635 Divisadero, San Francisco, is a yellow Victorian house harboring the letters “PACT, INC” above its front porch and standing at the heart of a vibrant and hipster commercial corridor known as NOPA. In 1970, it was a blue house that PACT purchased for $32,500 at the border of the Haight Ashbury and Western Addition neighborhoods, then home to many of the schools and the community that PACT served. The property purchase was made possible through a bequest from Elizabeth Heller, an early supporter of PACT, and the ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by then Department of Commerce Secretary Maurice Stans. The property became PACT’s San Francisco headquarters until 2016, when PACT gradually moved to its Vallejo location across the Bay.
Built in 1900, 635 Divisadero is an example of San Francisco’s famous Victorian architectural style in a neighborhood rich in many such examples. Most notably, it is located just one block from Alamo Square’s picturesque “Painted Ladies”, one of the city’s iconic landmarks, attracting visitors from all over the world. Beyond PACT’s history, 635 Divisadero is an emblematic symbol of the history of the Western Addition neighborhood which has embodied African American legacy in San Francisco for several decades. 635 Divisadero is one fully owned Black property that survived the times, hopefully casting light into the future.
Transforming this historic landmark into PACT’s Community Educational Opportunity Center is a major goal of PACT’s 3-year Strategic Plan. PACT believes that creating a college-going culture among “dream deferred” youth and families is fundamental to creating long lasting social change. The Community Educational Opportunity Center will provide engaging and supportive programs for minority, first generation and socioeconomically disadvantaged students and families in San Francisco. We envision the center to become an educational beacon in the community, offering programs that foster academic achievement, and build and strengthen a college going culture.
To PACT and the community it serves, 635 Divisadero truly is a historic landmark. What better time than PACT’s 60th anniversary to support the refurbishing endeavor and launch a capital campaign to make 635 Divisadero PACT’s Community Educational Opportunity Center for the next 60 years!