Rockwood is one of the most diverse communities within the state of Oregon. Because of this, the area, has a wide array of culturally specific services, organizations, and community resources. Check out some of the local organizations that provide services here!
Latino Network is a Latino-led education organization, grounded in culturally-specific practices and services, that lifts up youth and families to reach their full potential.
Their work is based around a core belief in Latino community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families. Their vision is for all Latino communities to actively thrive, be fully engaged, and be influential. Latino Network programming includes culturally specific classes and services that address parent education, economic justice, health and wellness, youth empowerment, and violence prevention, and many other topics. You can learn more about Latino Network here.
The Black Food Sovereignty Coalition (BFSC) serves as a collaboration hub for Black and Brown communities to confront the systemic barriers that make food, place and economic opportunities inaccessible to us.
Built on a decade of work of founding members of the Black Food Sovereignty Council and other Black-identified leaders and stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest, the BFSC mission is to ignite Black and Brown communities to participate as owners and movement leaders within food systems, placemaking, and economic development. BFSC programming includes cooking courses through Grandma’s Hands, as well as two farming projects. Grandma’s Hands was created to share family recipes and food traditions with future generations; at each meeting it also provides participants with a bag of fresh produce grown by Black farmers. BFSC also has two farms – Black Futures Farms and Howell Territorial Farm. These farms build capacity for organic agricultural production by BIPOC growers; including planning, facilitation, community building, and market training. You can learn more about BFSC here.
Somali Oregon Service Center (SOS Center) is a non-profit organization founded by Somali leaders in Oregon. The organization’s fundamental goal is to help members of this community become fully functional and a well-integrated part of region while continuing to preserve their cultural heritage.
This organization promotes self-sufficiency through employment, education, cultural and social support, and economic empowerment. Specific focus and support goes into programs that help recent immigrants and refugees. Somali Service Center programming includes providing educational opportunities for adults and children, immigration and citizenship programs, housing and economic guidance, and ESL classes targeted at those who speak Somali. You can learn more about the SOS Center here.
Slavic Community Center of NW is a local nonprofit established in 2011. The organization’s fundamental goal is to help members of this community become fully functional and a well-integrated part of region while continuing to preserve their cultural heritage.
This integration refers to all aspects of their lives: education, employment, health and wellness, social services, business development, career growth, legal assistance, etc. Slavic Community Center Services offers cultural events and festivals, as well as programs and classes related to business development, education, and social services. You can learn more about the Slavic Community Center of NW here.
IRCO, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, aims to support immigrants, refugees and mainstream community members in order to foster understanding, compassion, and communication between Oregon’s established communities and newest arrivals.
IRCO focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency and helping individuals and families thrive, by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services, from employment, vocational training and English language learning, to community development, early childhood and parenting education, youth academic support and gang prevention. IRCO programming provides services such as career training & employment classes, senior meal deliveries, childhood development courses, immigration and disability legal services, and much much more. You can learn more about IRCO here.
