Penn House, located at 1035 Pennsylvania St, began in 1969 as the Douglas County Community Improvement Association in a two story, six-room house owned by the KU Endowment Association. Founder Ocoee Miller received a $100,000.00 grant for the first year from the Office of Economic Opportunity. Miller’s vision was an agency that was run by the people who benefited from its services, providing for their basic needs. At the first meeting of the organization Miller invited all of the local welfare recipients and promised free milk and eggs to those that came. It worked. The property was later given to the agency, which changed its name to Penn House. In 1980, the 100-year-old house was torn down. The community erected a new building in 9 hours and 15 minutes. Over 70 companies and nearly 350 skilled workers volunteered time and donated materials to complete the project, an estimated value of nearly $70,000.00. The remaining costs came from a building fund that was raised through donations and fundraisers. Penn House voted to merge with Ballard Community Center in 2005. The merger was completed in May of 2005 and the organization as a whole was renamed Ballard Community Services.

Penn House continues to operate the largest free clothing pantry operation in Douglas County. In addition to housing the My Sister's Closet project, Penn House also participates in all of Ballard Community Services' Human Service Programs.