Three Oldest Native American Nonprofits in the Valley Create Partnership to Purchase 85,000 SF Building
Agencies plan to operate as the one stop Native American Business, Cultural and Social Services Center in the Valley (Photo Courtesty of Loren Tapahe, Arizona Native Scene)

PHOENIX, AZ – Native American Connections, Inc., Native American Community Health Center, Inc. and Phoenix Indian Center, Inc. have jointly purchased a six-story, 85,000 square foot office building located at 4520 N. Central Avenue. Together, the three nonprofit agencies formed an LLC which will operate a multi-purpose Native American business, cultural and social services center, providing the urban Native American community with a ‘one-stop service center.’ The intent of this project is to improve the efficiencies of program service delivery to the urban Native American community through the co-location and provision of a seamless set of non-competing programs, and to offer a larger umbrella of funding partnership opportunities to the agencies and their respective fiscal resources.

The three partner agencies intend to occupy space on four of the six floors and expect to move into the office building upon completion of necessary building and tenant improvements which is slated for October 2006. The partnership also intends to identify and recruit some micro and retail businesses and other agencies that serve the urban Native American community which would be located on the first, fifth and sixth floors of the building.

“This is probably the most significant development that has occurred for the urban Native American community,” says Diana Yazzie Devine, President & CEO of Native American Connections. “It is a tremendous opportunity for our clients, our partners and our children. I really do believe it will change the way we provide services and how much impact we have on a very needy population.”

Collectively, the three nonprofit partner agencies -- all based in Central Phoenix -- have provided almost 120 years of service to the urban Native American community in Greater Phoenix, with a population has now grown to over 90,000. Native American Connections has over 33 years of experience working with the urban Native American community, focusing on behavioral health and the development of affordable housing with support services. Native American Community Health Center (NATIVE HEALTH) has operated for over 28 years and focuses on providing primary healthcare and medical services, while the Phoenix Indian Center has an almost 60 year history and focuses on education, workforce development, cultural and language preservation, and family counseling.

“It’s true that people come to our agency for health and wellness services,” says Marcus Harrison, Jr., CEO of NATIVE HEALTH. “But they also come here seeking cultural and social exchanges. Being co-located will widen that opportunity exponentially and we can truly serve all Natives in the Valley.”

Currently, the Valley lacks a “geographic center” for the Native American community; a place where Native people can gather together to express and share cultural traditions with fellow tribal members or with the community at large. The Valley also lacks a central location for Native Americans to access services – health care, social services, recreation and community resources.

The three agencies envision their business partnership and building purchase as the first step of a larger community development effort aimed at establishing a permanent geographic center and presence for the urban Native American community – a place that would be a vibrant tourist destination which, in addition to services would include: small businesses; artisans and vendors selling their arts, crafts and other merchandise; a variety of housing opportunities, and cultural amenities. It also would serve as a place that fosters Native American growth and leadership opportunities for both current and future generations.

Patti Hibbeler, CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center says, “It is almost unequivocally true that when a client comes in for one of our services, we refer them to one of our sister agencies for additional services. What we know is that when someone is having difficulty in their lives, it is not a one-dimensional situation. And if we have healthy people, we have successful happy communities.”

Funding for the purchase and renovation of the office building came from the City of Phoenix New Market Tax Credits being provided by the Phoenix Community Development Improvement Corporation and managed by First National Bank of Arizona, the Phoenix LISC Office, and Arizona MultiBank.

The building was sold by JLW 4520 Family Limited Partnership of Hawaii to a Phoenix-based nonprofit business partnership (NAC 4520 N Central, LLC) consisting of Native American Connections, the Phoenix Indian Center and Native Health for $7.0 million. Peter Barbey & John Barnes of Colliers International (Phoenix) represented the buyer, and Les Larson & Jay Stogdill of Les Larson & Associates represented the seller.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
January 9, 2006 Patty Dimitriou
(602) 357-4701 patty@nativemarketinc.com