Jackie Robinson Senior Citizen

Pros

• The center is a wonderful hosting location for city meetings, and its staff are amazing.
• The place and its community offer fantastic services and insight to Pasadena residents and visitors.
• The art pieces are creatively breathtaking, and the live jazz was legendary.
• The free parking, accessible spots, well-kept landscaping, and inviting interior with clean restrooms make the center welcoming.
• The hosts are incredibly kind, professional, and knowledgeable, going above and beyond to make everyone feel at home.
• The mixed media class is terrific, and the teacher Caroline Ducout is engaging and uplifting.
• The Jackie Robinson Center is an iconic and essential part of the Pasadena community, providing excellent programs and respectful treatment of visitors.
• The staff and volunteers help people in need and show genuine care for the community.
• The center has been fully redone with new facilities, including updated dance rooms and spaces.
• JRC Rocks is a much-needed facility with a positive setting and supportive staff.

Cons

• There is often loitering around the outside area, which gives the park an unwelcoming feel.
• The area near the parking lot does not feel safe and could use a security presence.
• The building is described as run like a government building from the 1980s - outdated and old.
• The policy requiring teachers to pay a yearly fee has made it unaffordable for some to return after Covid.
• The cancellation of the legal clinic without voicemail or notice is unhelpful and worsens the situation.
• The baseball field is mainly not publicly accessible all the time.
• One reviewer implied that certain kinds of people should not be allowed around.

Review

The Jackie Robinson Center in Pasadena stands out as a true community hub, loved for its warmth, accessibility, and broad range of services. Reviewers describe it as an excellent resource for seniors, families, and visitors alike, a place where people feel supported and connected. The center is praised for its welcoming staff, who are repeatedly noted as friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. In many voices, it's simply described as a great place to be: a center that offers meaningful programs, thoughtful hosting of city meetings, and an atmosphere that makes residents feel at home.

The center's positive impact goes beyond programming. Reviewers highlight the extensive services and the insight the facility provides to Pasadena residents. It's not only a space for events and meetings but also a venue where the community comes together to share information, access resources, and participate in intergenerational activities. Staff are repeatedly recognized for going above and beyond - delivering welcome and assistance, providing helpful information, and fostering a sense of belonging that many attendees say is hard to find elsewhere.

Over the years, the place has become deeply personal for many: people speak of visiting since childhood, watching the community center be restored, and feeling the renewed energy as it grows into a space that serves "everyone." The site is described as a living testament to community-building - kids playing sports, families enjoying outdoor time, and a general sense that this is a space where people come to be part of something bigger than themselves. There is a clear sense that, with continued attention to the surroundings and upkeep, the park and center could easily reach a five-star status in the eyes of longtime patrons.

Yet there are conflicts that come with any busy urban hub. Several reviewers point to the outdoor area as a work in progress, noting loitering and occasional safety concerns that can give the park an unwelcoming vibe at times. It's framed not as a reason to abandon the space but as a call to action: with more visible security, better ambient oversight, and thoughtful enhancements to the grounds, the center's exterior could match the warm, inviting interior that so many already enjoy. It's also acknowledged that Pasadena is growing and becoming more diverse, and the community believes the center should reflect the best of that diversity through careful planning and environment improvements.

Cultural and artistic programming receive high marks. The center hosts live jazz and art showcases that attendees describe as memorable and inspirational. The art pieces are praised for their creativity, and the live music elevates the experience of visiting or attending events. Parking and accessibility are also highlighted in a highly favorable light: free parking with accessible spaces, well-kept landscaping, and a clean, inviting building interior with spotless restrooms. The staff's hospitality - friendly hosts who provide refreshments such as unlimited popcorn and chilled bottled water - adds to the sense of being welcomed and cared for.

Education, classes, and intergenerational programming are a core strength, but not without its growing pains. A mixed-media class led by Caroline Ducout is singled out as terrific, with an engaging and uplifting teacher who helps participants feel inspired. The building, however, is described by some as feeling like a government building from the 80s - functional but aged. A 2023 update notes a shift in how teachers are paid, with the introduction of a yearly fee that made it harder for certain instructors to return after the pandemic, a sad consequence that underscores the challenges of sustaining arts programming during and after Covid. The community's warmth persists, even as these logistical issues are addressed.

Beyond programs and classes, the center is acknowledged for its broader social role. Several reviews celebrate the facility as a landmark of equality and community care, with resources and support that extend across the street from where the center sits. There is appreciation for staff who help with everyday concerns - like landlord disputes - and for individuals such as Nancy Lafoya, whose kindness is highlighted. Front-desk staff, including Victor, are praised for their attentiveness and for explaining available services, even when staffing levels are lean due to the pandemic. The center's evolving relationship with homelessness services is also noted: the old senior space has become a site for outreach and case management organized by LAHSA, while a newer center across the street continues to expand services, with outreach workers visiting regularly to engage people in treatment and support.

Memories and community identity run deep in the reviews. Patrons recall fond memories of skating, grilling, and family gatherings, and they reflect on the center's role in Black history parades and Kwanzaa celebrations - emphasizing that such sentiment and celebration are an integral part of the center's legacy. The facility is repeatedly called an essential resource for both residents and visitors, with many describing it as an iconic institution within Pasadena that treats people with respect and provides a wealth of programs and opportunities.

In sum, the Jackie Robinson Center is celebrated as a highly valuable, well-loved community space that successfully blends education, culture, and service. Its strengths lie in its welcoming staff, robust programming, and strong sense of community. There are practical challenges to address - security around outdoor spaces, updated pay structures for instructors, and continued investment in aging facilities - but the overall spirit is one of resilience and optimism. With continued attention to safety, accessibility, and program sustainability, this center has the potential to become an even more prominent five-star anchor for Pasadena's diverse and growing community.

This part of Pasadena, California offers convenient access to pharmacies, restaurants, parks, cafes, hospitals, places of worship, theaters, and physicians. With multiple CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid locations nearby, as well as a variety of dining options such as McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, and Urth Caffé-Pasadena, residents have plenty of choices for their everyday needs. The area also boasts several parks like Brookside Park and Lacy Park for outdoor recreation opportunities. For medical care, there are reputable hospitals like Huntington Memorial Hospital Nicu and Glendale Adventist Medical Center within a short distance. Additionally, there are various places of worship to cater to different faiths. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded community with amenities that cater to senior living needs.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Urth Caffé-Pasadena (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (3.8 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Brookside Park (1.2 miles)
• Hahamongna Watershed Park (2.5 miles)
• Garfield Park (3.3 miles)
• Lacy Park (3.4 miles)
• Arroyo Seco Park (3.5 miles)
• Alhambra Park (4.6 miles)
• Cleland Ave Bicentennial Park (5 miles)

Cafes

• Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar (1.7 miles)
• Charlie's Coffee House (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Bopomofo Cafe (4.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.3 miles)
• Proof Bakery (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Huntington Memorial Hospital Nicu (2 miles)
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center (4.6 miles)
• Medical 2 unit (4.7 miles)
• Methodist Hospital of Southern California (6.5 miles)
• Usc-Norris Cancer Hospital (7.7 miles)
• LAC+USC Inpatient Tower (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• San Marino Community Church Nursery School (3.8 miles)
• Saint Rita's Catholic Church (5.6 miles)
• Arcadia Chinese Baptist Church (7 miles)
• First Evangelical Church Arcadia (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• 0206 Amc Bar Santa Ani (6.1 miles)
• AMC The Americana at Brand 18 (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Doheny Eye Center (6.2 miles)
• Santa Anita Medical Plaza (6.4 miles)
• Healthcare Partners Medical Group (7.6 miles)