The Navajo of the American Southwest struggle daily with isolation, poverty, and a harsh and resource-poor environment. Yet every day reservation volunteers work side-by-side with the NRF Program to fulfill our mission:

“To help Native American people improve the quality of their lives by providing opportunities for them to bring about positive changes in their communities.”

NRF draws on the deep commitment to clan and culture among Navajos.

Local volunteers, known as NRF Program Partners, volunteer their time and energy to plan and implement services where they live. They identify needs, recruit other volunteers, provide community contacts, and reserve facilities for events.

Program Partners also play an essential role in motivating others in their community to help. Volunteers of all ages carry out much of the preparation and distribution work associated with NRF services, such as sorting, packaging, and delivering food boxes to tribal members.

Program volunteers receive incentive items such as baby food, clothing, and personal care items to thank them for putting forth the extra effort to improve their community.

This unique relationship with the communities we serve makes the NRF Program more of a partnership and less like charity.



Current Services

Disaster Relief: In June 2006, a large wildfire along the Arizona-Utah border contaminated the only source of water for 1,400 Navajos. Within days, NRF delivered a truckload of food, water, toiletries, and other emergency supplies.

Healthy Living: NRF supports our Program Partners who offer classes, home visits, or assistance with appointments that help kids, teens, and youth.

Navajo families have few resources for coping with disaster.	Mothers appreciate incentives received at parenting classes.

Pantry Packages: Nonperishable food is delivered quarterly to hundreds of Navajo families. In addition, local volunteers can request emergency food boxes for families in special need.

Holiday: Food is provided so that hundreds of Elders and community members may participate in community-wide holiday meals.

Nutritious food is always scarce and expensive in remote desert communities.	NRF's holiday food lets everyone share in the bounty of Christmas.

How can I help?