Our Mission

The work of the Center aims to create a space where Filipinos can find a home amongst each other and create opportunities to connect with, and to advocate for, our motherland and fellow kababayan.

The center aims to connect community members to essential resources, while building capacity to engage with the issues we face as a Filipino community towards positive change.

The center’s programs and projects are in continuous development to reflect and respond to the fast-changing needs of the Filipino community.

Background and Context

Migrant and immigrant Filipinos make up the majority of the growing Filipino population in Oregon. While many migrants make the choice to seek better livelihood for their families, many were forced to leave the country because of a lack of job opportunities, were displaced by environmental disaster, or did not have access to health or educational opportunities at home. As overseas workers, Filipinos take on low-wage earning jobs in health, service, hospitality, and manufacturing industries across the state. 

While the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the disproportionate infection rate within the Filipino community, Filipinos make up a significant portion of our frontline health workers and in many essential industries; the urgent need for a resource and service center in Oregon pre-existed the pandemic. 

Mission 

We unite Filipinos in Oregon to build community through programming that addresses and advocates for the needs of marginalized Filipinos living in Oregon -  including Filipino workers, new migrants, immigrants, youth, elders, women, LGBTQ+, people of faith, and many more of our kababayan.

We serve our community by providing resources, education, and information that will empower Filipinos to make healthy, informed choices, and support one another.

We believe that those most impacted by socio-economic injustices should lead in the development of long-term solutions. Using a community organizing framework, we will elevate community stories toward needs-based programs, campaigns, and advocacy. Our center’s  aim is to connect community members to essential resources, while building capacity to engage with the issues we face as a community towards change. 

The work of the Center aims to create a space where Filipinos can find a home amongst each other and create opportunities to connect with, and to advocate for, our motherland and fellow kababayan.

Vision

In 2020, a group of Portland-based youth, parents, caregivers, nurses, community leaders, activists, and small business owners set out to support hundreds of Filipino families impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center aims to provide basic resources and a community gathering place accessible for Filipino workers, new migrants, and Filipinos in the diaspora seeking community, empowerment, and connection.

Together, we envision a future grounded in health, livelihood, and justice for everyday Filipinos.