A Communal Table for CityTeam’s New Home
Giving Tuesday invites communities around the world to pause, give back and celebrate the collective impact of generosity. This year, we are honored share a project that reflects the heart of that mission. In partnership with Zena Forest Products, our team at The Joinery recently created and donated a custom communal table for CityTeam’s new Portland headquarters. The piece now serves as a gathering place for staff and residents who rely on CityTeam’s life-changing services.
The Oregon Oak from Zena Forest Products
The collaboration began when we learned that CityTeam was preparing to open its new facility to support Portlanders facing hardship, including providing shelter, meals and recovery programs. Wanting to contribute in a meaningful and lasting way, we reached out to our friends at Zena Forest Products, who generously donated FSC Certified White Oak from their Willamette Valley forests.
Levi handcrafting CityTeam's new tables
The Joinery then worked with CityTeam to understand the project’s unique needs. The resulting design is a modular table that can accommodate large meetings or be broken down into individual tables for smaller gatherings.
Detail of the leg and aprons of one of the tables.
CityTeam’s Executive Director, Lance Orton, shared that what started with our employees volunteering has grown into a partnership that strengthens community. Hearing this reinforces why our team, led by Shop Manager Levi Arzie, felt called to take part. Arzie first connected with CityTeam during a volunteer event and later saw an opportunity for The Joinery to support the organization’s mission by donating the custom table. He also organized another volunteer event with CityTeam for Joinery employees.
While the table was in progress, CityTeam’s leadership visited our woodshop to meet the craftspeople building the table and see the piece in process. As with all Joinery furniture, the finished table was signed by its builder, reflecting the care and intention behind it.
Levi taking the CityTeam leadership through a woodshop tour
The Joinery and CityTeam viewing the lumber layout of their new table.
On this Giving Tuesday, we are grateful for the chance to contribute to a space where people gather, find support and move toward brighter futures. Built in Portland from locally harvested wood, this custom handcrafted table represents what can happen when community partners come together with shared purpose. It is a reminder that generosity takes many forms, and each act helps build a stronger, more connected Portland.
Delivery of the tables to CityTeam's new location
Placing the Oregon Oak Tables on site in one of the configurations.
