Our Community’s Call to Action

“One of the most pivotal moments in my early years as Executive Director at The Next Door, Inc. (TNDI) was a strategic planning session in 2008. During that session, we set out to create the vision statement that has guided our work for nearly two decades since. Read it slowly to let it sink in:  

“A supportive community where all children and families are safe, healthy, and valued.” 

This statement is more than just words on paper; it’s a heartfelt commitment that speaks to the desires we all share for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our community.  

Now, take a moment to think about the current state of our world and the profound need for safety. Every day, community members are reaching out to our staff at The Next Door seeking support and reassurance. Worried calls, texts, and visits have poured in over and over and over during the past few months:  

“How do I keep my children safe?” 

“What does this mean for my business and our employees?” 

“How can I support my family if I get deported?” 

“What will happen if I lose my Medicaid benefits?” 

With 44 Community Health Workers on our team now, we are the ones who are looked to for answers. Our Community Health Workers are trusted, respected members of our community, trained to provide informal counseling, referrals to resources, and navigation assistance, all with the intent to make the lives of their neighbors a little easier. The Next Door was one of the first organizations in Oregon - and among the first in the nation - to adopt the Community Health Worker model, and every year, we continue to grow. 

For decades, this work has gone hand-in-hand with empowering community members and has led to meaningful partnerships with other community organizations, donors, funders, and supporters of all kinds who share our vision for what our community can and should be. We have become a beacon of hope for so many, especially those fighting to protect their families, their livelihood, and their rights. 

But more is needed - more safety, more action, more community. 

As providers of wellness and hope, teachers of resilience, and builders of capacity, The Next Door has a solution. To meet the growing needs of our community, we need to hire two more Community Health Workers. Your financial support is crucial in helping us make this happen. 

Our greatest strength at The Next Door has always been our ability to listen and respond to the needs of our community as a trusted and reliable social service agency. Your support enables us to continue to be responsive to those we serve. Please visit nextdoorinc.org/donate to support our work today.

Thank you for answering our call at this pivotal time.”

Janet L. Hamada, MSW
Executive Director
The Next Door Inc.