MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Almalia Berrios-Payton

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA) originated in the late 1960s, as a place for Native American individuals to eat, rest, visit, and receive various health services. In 1969, the newly established “Indian Center Organization” (now known as NACA), began fundraising and building support in the community.

When NACA first opened in 1971, its purpose was to be a “resting place”, a hospitality center, which hoped to offer a variety of social and health related programs. Soon thereafter, the center received its first funding from Indian Health Services (IHS) to provide health related materials. In 1974, NACA sponsored the Miss Indian Flagstaff pageant, a basketball tournament, a community dinner, and began several community programs: Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Program, The Youth Education Program, The Adult Education Program, Substance Abuse Prevention Program, Social Services Program, Grandparent Elders Program, and The Hozho Youth Program.

In 1986, NACA expanded their space to incorporate more services, programs, and community resources. In 1991, NACA was designated as the 1st federal Urban Indian Health Center in Northern Arizona. In just 8 months, NACA received over 3,500 visits. By 2012, the NACA team was staffed by over 50 individuals, with over 70% representing Indigenous cultures. Programs at NACA now also included: Economic Development – Oak Creek Overlook Artisan Program, Health Promotions and Wellness Center Programs, Diabetes Intervention, Emergency Social Services, and Behavioral Health Services.

In 2014, NACA was awarded with a Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). NACA was also recognized with an “Arizona Outstanding Out-ofSchool Time” award by the Arizona Center for After School Excellence. In 2021, NACA celebrated 50 years of service in the Flagstaff and Coconino County communities, providing programs and services that assist clients to increase their self-worth, empowerment, dignity, and self-sufficiency. These services center around identifying clients’ individual strengths, promoting selfpride, awareness, and respect, helping the client establish realistic goal setting and to strengthen personal autonomy, and providing tangible assistance that does not create dependence.

The mission of Native Americans for Community Action Inc. is to provide preventive wellness strategies and empower and advocate for Native peoples and others in need, in order to create a healthy community based on Harmony, Respect, and Indigenous Values.

NACA provides services such as capacity building in Native American communities by assisting future political and community leaders, fighting stereotypes of Native American individuals and organizations, and advocating as a knowledge base on Indigenous issues to governments and other nonNative organizations. NACA’s core program is the Family Health Center, which provides health and medical services to Native Americans and non-Native Americans. NACA also has a Pathways - Afterschool For Youth Program, Social Support Services, and an on-site Phoenix Indian Center Workforce Specialist. NACA accepts and provides services to all ethnic. groups of all ages, focusing on holistic and family care, and prioritizes the overall wellbeing of patients by honoring their customs, culture, and beliefs.

NACA’s Family Health Center currently offers the seasonal flu vaccine, the COVID-19 Moderna and Pfizer primary vaccines, and the COVID-19 bivalent booster. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (928) 773-1245.