The Orinda Community Church has been sharing facilities with other
Lamorinda
groups since before the first Meetinghouse was built in 1949.
Current
partners sharing the congregation’s spacious buildings and grounds are
listed
below.
The Orinda Preschool (TOPS):
The Orinda Preschool, established in 1938, is a pioneering parent-run
cooperative
childcare center that is actually one year older than the Orinda
Community
Church. TOPS completely occupies parts of two OCC buildings and
has
a large well-equipped outdoor playground. The preschool has a
professional
staff and serves approximately 100 preschool children beginning at age
2.
Holden High School (formerly Contra
Costa Alternative School):
The lower level of Orinda Community Church has for 15 years been home
to
Holden High School (Contra Costa Alternative High School). A
student body of 30 appreciates
the school’s small size and personalized approach emphasizing freedom
and
responsibility. Graduates receive the equivalent of a high school
diploma
and often choose to continue their education in college.
Orinda Senior Village:
In 1983, the OCC sponsored construction of the Senior Village, Orinda’s
first
and only HUD assisted housing. The large facility was built on an
under-used
portion of the church’s original acreage, and still shares parking lots
with
the congregation. A number of OSV residents enjoy worship and
other
activities at the Orinda Community Church, and an OCC Bible Study, as
well
as the Women’s Fellowship meet regularly at the Senior Village.
An
OCC-hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for OSV residents is a new annual
tradition.
Scouts:
Several active scouting programs – both boys and girls -- meet at the
Orinda
Community Church. The church sponsors Troop 237
, an award-winning Boy Scout Troop with an unusually active program of
outdoor
activities. We also host a variety of Girl Scout Troops and have
enjoyed having
them here on a monthly basis.
Others:
OCC facilities are used by numerous other community organizations,
including
the Ina Coolbrith Poet’s Circle, VOCI women’s choir, Women for
Sobriety,
Music Teachers Association Contra Costa Chapter, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays),
WomenSing, Clarewood Singers,
local Republican and Democratic clubs, Montelindo Gardening Club, and many more.