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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2005)
BY VANESSA SALVIA Bricks in the Wall Neighborhood development non-profit builds communities and businesses. T ucked inside a nondescript building at 775 Monroe in Eugene is a little organization making a big difference in the economic well-being of families and neighborhoods throughout Lane County. Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, or NEDCO, is a non-profit com- munity development corporation, Oregon’s oldest non-profit of that type. Founded by some Whiteaker-area neighbors interested in preserving the community’s history and devel- oping its economic future, NEDCO is enjoy- ing its 26th year in operation. Their vision statement (not mission statement) sounds rather featureless when read on paper: “NEDCO collaboratively builds human and capital assets to strengthen neighborhoods and broaden participation in community owner- ship and governance.” But seeing the popular businesses germinated by NEDCO and hear- ing the enthusiasm of new homeowners and small business owners proves the results are anything but bland. From Blacksmith to Red Barn Three years after inception, NEDCO over- saw the purchase of the Hayse Blacksmith Shop & Brogdon’s Hay, Feed & Seed Store at 357 Van Buren, known today as Red Barn Natural Grocery. That same year, NEDCO smoothed the way for New Day Bakery to launch next door. Both are now outstanding neighborhood landmarks, and thanks to NEDCO’s efforts, are on the National Register of Historic Sites & Places. Perhaps the most dramatic change to the Whiteaker neighborhood took place in more recent memory, when in 1991 Safeway abandoned its grocery retail spot at 6th and Adams. NEDCO interceded, knitting together financ- ing from US Bank and the city of Eugene to purchase the property. Today the Bruns fami- ly operates Red Apple in the space, providing Whiteaker folks with another nearby grocer. Neighborhood revitalization projects include the 22-unit East Blair Housing Cooperative. Completed in 1982, it is Oregon’s first low-income co-op. NEDCO accomplished historic renovations to Monroe Street’s Baldwin Market in 1996 and in 1999 renovated the building at 325 Blair housing O.U.R. Federal Credit Union, which serves low-income households. sional agendas all the while. Executive Director Sandy Halonen, a silver-haired dynamo with a kindly nature, is quick to point out that she doesn’t use the word “client.” “I always say ‘family,’ ‘household,’ ‘people,’” she said. In the 2003/2004 fiscal year, 192 families completed homebuying workshops. Of those families, 74 percent (143) were low- income and 13 percent (25) were Hispanic, with only 4.6 percent of Lane County house- holds identifying as Hispanic. Five percent of those households identified as black, 2 percent as American Indian or Alaskan Native, 2 per- cent as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1 percent as multi-racial. A striking 31 percent are single female heads of households. Ricardo Cárdenas Not giving it away NEDCO is a multi-faceted organization with low-income homeownership programs, small business development programs and matched savings accounts for helping individ- uals meet personal goals. They also build new homes, which they sell at reduced cost. While anyone can benefit from NEDCO’s budgeting classes or home-buying workshops, those seeking financial help must be dedicated to specific goals. NEDCO is not a “give-away” organization. The people it serves must com- plete months of classes and training in person- al finance, developing personal and profes- Easing into business One of the most visible projects NEDCO has taken on is the seasonal Mercado Latino, which ends its run this year on Sept. 2. The Mercado is an open-air Latin American mar- ketplace, located at Broadway and Willamette on summer Fridays, where artists, musicians and food vendors gather. Kate Coddington, NEDCO’s Mercado coordina- tor, said the Mercado was a response to a need it saw. “We had a lot of Latino clients NEDCO Expands Housing Options N EDCO’s presence is conspicuous in Whiteaker but its properties are sprinkled everywhere from Eugene’s West 11th Avenue to Springfield’s 69th Street. The organization is responsible for several small housing areas, as well as Bethel’s 44-unit Field of Dreams subdivision, complete with 1.2-acre Lark Park. NEDCO recently received funding from the City of Springfield and US Bank to acquire and renovate four Springfield homes. Evelia Saari and Kasey Galyon are proud new homeowners who each took about a year to complete their requirements before they opened the door to their new lives. Saari, a vivacious woman with three children and a political science degree in her native Mexico, declares that her life was “a soap opera tragedy” complete with divorce and bankruptcy before NEDCO came to her as “the light at the end of the tunnel.” Her kids love their newfound stability and she loves her house. Achieving the goal of homeownership has made her reach for a new goal — a college education she can use here in the states. “The idea of homeownership at the beginning was overwhelming, but when you come in here they kind of take you aside and look at everything with you,” said Galyon. She feared getting confused by the language and formalities of financial agreements. “But NEDCO wants you to be successful,” she said. Contact NEDCO at 345-7106 or on the web at www.nedcocdc.org say to us ‘We would love to start a small business but we don’t know what to do,’” she said. “NEDCO’s intention in facilitating this market is to help small businesses grow.” Sandy Halonen understands that the Mercado is no magic bullet for incubating businesses, but, she said, “At least it lets them get their toes in the water and say ‘Yes, this is for me, or no, this isn’t for me.’” These small busi- nesses don’t make headlines. “It’s not like Hyundai coming in, with lots of workers. But they’re really contributing both to their fami- lies and to the community in diversity and income,” Halonen said. It’s all about support Ricardo Cárdenas, an established radio personality and classical guitarist in his native Chile, came to Eugene with his wife and three children in 2002. He sold all of his musical equipment — including his guitar — to pay for the trip. Never having heard of NEDCO, Cárdenas visited the Mercado and asked how he could participate. “It was explained to me that NEDCO supports small businesses, so I felt, ‘Oh, I am a musician, this is my work, my small business,’” he said. “They told me I needed to take classes about business plans and everything.” Cárdenas successfully com- pleted the classes and opened an IDA, or Individual Development Account. This matched savings account allowed Cárdenas to purchase everything he needed to represent himself as a working musician, from record- ing equipment to a fine new acoustic guitar. Cárdenas has sent CDs to Chile, where his music is once again on the radio. “It’s wonderful,” he said. “[NEDCO] sup- ported me economically and I have now all the stuff that I need to record music, compose music, and work every day in my home office.” Now, Cárdenas has professionally made CDs, a website (www.ricardocarde- nas.net), and income to support his family. Peruvian native Patricia Tarrillo’s art career began by successfully selling items at the Mercado. She wanted to expand her business after finding a market for her jewelry boxes, mirrors and greeting cards embellished with pre-Incan designs. Her IDA helped her buy signs and a van for transporting her wares, allowing her to travel to fairs and festivals throughout Oregon. After being in Eugene less than four years, Tarillo has found financial independence. “I feel I am not alone,” she said. “I found very nice people and they gave me a lot of information and help.” ew SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 1 3
