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NRF |
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ROAR
The Navajo Nation is the largest of over 560 Indian reservations, both in terms of land and population, and one of the poorest in terms of income. Many of the 300,000 Diné, as the Navajo call themselves, live in remote communities on the high desert in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Utah.
In this harsh and resource-poor environment, every day can bring a struggle for survival. Job opportunities are scarce, non-existent in some communities. Poverty and isolation are the norm. Visits from health care workers or anyone may be sporadic at best.
Many Navajo homes are without running water, electricity, telephones, or all of the above. Many Elders live in traditional hogans, which still have dirt floors. Many Navajo Elders start running short on food by the third week of each month — with a week to go before their Social Security checks.
If you think these conditions don't exist in America today, you are sadly mistaken. In the remotest corners of this great country, thousands of Native Americans live in Third World conditions (their words, not ours).
The Navajo Relief Fund (NRF) brings hope to these struggling families. The difference between NRF and many other humanitarian programs is that we aim to reduce dependency, while building on the strong sense of pride and community that is prevalent among these Native Americans.
NRF programming can be enhanced through donated products and volume pricing. It can also be enhanced by funding to help us cover year-round transport to Navajo communities.
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Many Elders in Kaibeto live in substandard housing with little access to resources. |
NRF Food helps a nearby Window Rock Partner provide nutritious food for their people. |
Our guidelines require that local volunteers participate in delivering goods and services in their communities. In this way, reservation residents are involved in creating positive changes for their neighbors and themselves.
The Navajo Relief Fund encompasses several
services to help the Navajo people move toward self-sufficiency:
- Disaster Relief: When floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and other environmental emergencies hit the Navajo reservation, NRF disaster relief services kick in.
- Bundles of Love: New moms without resources receive a collection of baby-care items at the hospital and again when they bring their babies for immunizations.
- Food Boxes: Non-perishable food is provided quarterly for hundreds of Navajo families at community-wide distributions. Winter food boxes are also provided for Navajo Elders in case of a winter emergency.
- Thanksgiving for All: Community volunteers deliver turkey and all the trimmings to Elders and their families.
- Christmas for Communities: A holiday meal is provided for Navajo communities who may otherwise go without.
- Home Repair: Extensive repairs are made for a few Elders in a Navajo community.
NRF programming is available year-round for programs on the Navajo Reservation who meet our guidelines.