March Newsletter
We are excited to share important news for our community!
Thanks to strong advocacy from the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) and our partners, NAYA has received $4 million in Oregon state funding toward critical upgrades to our community campus. This investment moves us significantly closer to the $13 million needed to strengthen and protect the place where thousands of Native families gather, learn, and grow.
We are deeply grateful to legislative leaders, Governor Tina Kotek, advocates, and community members who supported this request. Securing $4 million toward this project is a major step forward in protecting this vital community asset.
More than 90,000 Native people from nearly 400 tribes call the Portland-metro area home. Each year, NAYA’s 40+ programs serve over 10,000 people through culturally grounded services that support our community at every stage of life, from infants and youth to parents and Elders.
Our campus has a long history of transformation. In 2006, NAYA moved into a former Portland Public Schools building from the 1960s that had been vacant. At that time, NAYA had 28 staff members. Today, our organization has grown to more than 160 staff, delivering a wide range of services, including:
Early learning and youth development
An alternative high school helping students graduate
Congregate meal programs for Elders
Housing development and supportive services
Small business support and economic development
Financial wellness programs and Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)
College scholarships and career pathways
For nearly 20 years, NAYA has steadily invested in improving and maintaining this building, which is now fully debt free. This ensures the campus will remain a permanent home for community services for generations to come.
However, critical infrastructure upgrades are needed to keep the campus safe and resilient.
The funding we requested will help address urgent improvements, including:
Replacing the aging roof and solar array
Insulating the building to improve efficiency
Transitioning our aging HVAC system from gas to electric
These upgrades will extend the life of the building, reduce energy costs, and allow more resources to be redirected to the programs that serve our community.
Just as importantly, these improvements help ensure the campus can withstand severe weather events and potential earthquakes, allowing NAYA to continue serving as a reliable hub for community support in times of crisis.
With continued partnership and advocacy, we look forward to completing the work needed to ensure NAYA’s campus remains safe, accessible, and resilient for future generations.
Thank you for supporting the work and the future of our community.
NAYA Action Fund
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Click the link below to send a personalized thank-you letter to your Representative for supporting NAYA's Community Campus!