"This is a community effort."
-- Ellie Lambert 

The Ellie Lambert Community Center at Cottage Hill Place is welcoming, cheerful and safe. With second-hand furniture comfortably arranged in the sitting area, a conference table for meetings, a laundry room with constantly-running washers and dryers, a shared library full of donated books and a well-stocked coffee bar, it is a non-stop hub of activity. As residents, case managers, staff, employees from area non-profits and others bustle in and out throughout the day, the connectedness and sense of belonging is an incredible reminder that our residents have permanent homes. Here is the story behind its name.

A founding member of Justice Housing Yakima, Ellie Lambert dedicated her life to serving vulnerable and marginalized community members. Through devoted outreach, advocacy and action, Ellie connected with homeless individuals, reminding them they were not alone. After celebrating her 52nd birthday April 27, 2020, Ellie lost her valiant battle against metastatic colon cancer and passed away May 3, 2020. To honor her legacy of compassionate service and benevolence, the Justice Housing Yakima Board of Directors dedicated the Ellie Lambert Community Center to her memory.