5135 NE Columbia Blvd
Portland, OR 97218
PHONE: (503) 288-8177
FAX: (503) 288-1260
www.nayapdx.org

AGENCY INFORMATION
Nichole Maher, Executive Director (503-288-8177, X201)      
Number of Staff: 94
Number of Housing Staff: 4.5
Operating Budget: $6,500,000
Total Cost of Development: $3,139,635
Area Served: Portland Metro Area
Year Incorporated:   1994

Total Number of People Housed (as of end of 2010): 129
Total Number of Units Developed: 44 (Rental-44;  Homeownership-0)                 
Total Number of Units Under Development: 11 (Rental-9; Homeownership-2)

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED

Please Note: Services described are NAYA Family Center’s wraparound services available to the community, as well as residents of Sawash Housing.

• Social Services
• Resident Services
• Youth Programs
• Senior Programs
• Workforce Development
• Economic Development
• Community Organizing
• Micro-enterprise
• Homeownership Counseling (pre and post purchase)
• Downpayment Assistance
• IDAs
• Financial Wellness
• Education
• Green Building
• Community Facilities

MISSION
The Native American Youth and Family Center strives to enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education.

WHO WE SERVE
NAYA Family Center was established in 1974 as a grassroots parent and volunteer effort and has grown over the past 35 years into a professionally staffed community-based organization.  NAYA Family Center achieved 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 1994.  Our agency mission is “to enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education.”  NAYA Family Center is committed to reaching and supporting people from traditional Native American and Alaskan Native cultures while recognizing and respecting the cultural contexts, needs, and long-term goals of each individual.  Appreciation of cultural diversity and intercultural understanding of indigenous peoples are at the root of our work and we recognize that our community is both culturally and tribally diverse.  Our organization is seen as the primary provider of culturally specific services for American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the Portland Metropolitan Area (PMA), and we also provide services to other underserved populations.  Each year we provide a comprehensive array of wraparound services to approximately 2,000 individuals, representing over 300 distinct tribal affiliations.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Operate a 9-12 Native Early College Academy serving over 100 students – 85% attendance and 96% passing rates.
• Supported over 70 families to purchase or refinance their home since 2006.
• Own and operate 44 units of Affordable Housing, including 7 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for survivors of Domestic Violence and Foster Care youth.
• Agency is a current member of the Homeless Youth Continuum, as of 2009.
• Pre-development on Holgate House, a 9-unit project in SE Portland with project-based Section 8 for parenting teens, and youth aging out of foster care. Construction to begin summer 2011.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Community Development:

• Career Skills Development: Native Community Employment Services, Life Skills Development and Native Youth Employment Services
• Green Jobs Initiative – workforce development planning
• Social Enterprise development –Nawitka Catering; Verde Energy
• Housing Development Planning and NAYA Construction LLC
• Housing Asset Management and Resident Services: Sawash Housing , LLC
• HUD Approved Homeownership Program: pre and post purchase Education and Counseling
• Community Economic Development: Financial Wellness, Credit Repair, Earned Income Tax Campaign and Free Tax Preparation
• IDA Program: Post-secondary Education, Micro-enterprise, Homeownership and Youth
• Housing Services: Specific programs for Survivors of Domestic Violence & youth aging out of foster care
• Rent and Energy Assistance; Housing Search; Resident Services and Case Management

Youth Services:

• Cultural Arts: Drumming, Dancing and Regalia Making Classes
• Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball; and Lacrosse
• Learning Center: Tutoring and academic enrichment services
• Middle School Services: Advocacy, Retention and Graduation support
• High School Services: Advocacy, Retention and Graduation support
• Gang Prevention & Outreach
• Spring Break and Summer Youth Services: Summer Institute; Summer Camps
• College Prep Initiative

Family Services:

• Domestic Violence Survivor Wrap-Around Supports
• Foster care and Independent Living program
• Housing Advocacy & Placement
• Elders Services and Programming

NAYA Academy:

• 9-12 Early College High School serving over 100 students

Member of the Housing Organizations of Color Coalition (HOCC) with PCRI, Inc. and Hacienda CDC to advocate for minority housing and homeownership policies and resources

PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT
Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce • Portland Indian Leaders Round Table • North West Indian Health Board • Asian Family Center • El Programa Hispano • Hacienda • PCRI • Communities of Color Coalition • City of Portland • Multnomah County • Sterling Savings Bank • Northwest Area Foundation • Meyer Memorial Trust • Portland Development Commission • Spirit Mountain Community Fund • National Indian Child Welfare • ONABEN – A Native American Business Network • IRCO • Paul G. Allen Family Foundation • Emmons Company • Proud Ground • Wells Fargo • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • Housing Authority of Portland • HUD • Capital Pacific Bank • Guardian Real Estate Services LLC • Oregon Housing and Community Services • Portland Housing Bureau • Verde Energy

STAFF PARTICIPATING IN INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Sara Libby Homeownership Education & Counseling
Ligia Sekayouma-Hesedahl Homeownership Education & Counseling
Ben Helgren Homeownership Education & Counseling
Laina Green IDA Program