Programs

Program 1 (Active) : Reduce, Reuse and Redistribute

Our current program seeks to create a local, community-based reuse system that keeps usable clothing, footwear, tech items and other essential goods out of Boulder-area landfills and puts them back into circulation where they are most needed. Through partnerships with students, residents, schools, and community organizations, we will collect gently used items that would otherwise be discarded, sort and prepare them for reuse, and redistribute them at no cost to unhoused community members and other local residents experiencing financial hardship.

The program addresses two interconnected community challenges: unnecessary waste and inequitable access to basic goods. By creating convenient collection opportunities and educating community members about reuse, we will shift disposal behaviors and extend the useful life of products already in our community. Rather than treating unwanted goods as waste, our model keeps valuable materials in circulation while reducing demand for new products and the environmental impacts associated with their production, transportation, and disposal.

The program's current activities include:

1. The collection of donated goods and redistribution to the unhoused in Boulder, Colorado.

2. The collection of donated goods and redistribution to the unhoused in Houston, Texas.

Record of donations and distributions can be found here.

Program 2 (Work-in-progress) : Weekend Daytime Respite Program

Existing daytime respite services are limited on weekends, therefore individuals experiencing homelessness have fewer opportunities to access safe, comfortable indoor spaces where they can rest during the day. During the winter months, prolonged exposure to cold weather and the elements can negatively affect physical health, emotional well-being, and an individual's ability to focus on accessing services and securing stable housing.

The Na Rahn Foundation is seeking to partner with a church, community organization, or property owner willing to donate the use of an appropriate indoor facility at no cost to establish a Weekend Daytime Respite Program for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. The proposed program will provide a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment where guests can rest, access restroom facilities, obtain basic personal items, and connect with available community resources.

Program 3 (Planned): Grant-making

As the organization develops and secures sufficient financial resources, it also intends to provide grants to qualified charitable organizations that further its charitable purposes and benefit individuals, families and communities experiencing material hardship worldwide.