“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress,
and working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
and working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
OUR MISSION
"To enhance the quality of life of the people of the Bering Straits Region through diverse programming serving elders, families, and youth."
Nome Community Center is proud to be over 100 years old, and this mission still rings true today. In its infancy, the mission was born from the hearts of United Methodist women to address the needs of the community of Nome. Nome Community Center continues to strive to fulfill its mission by transforming itself to meet the needs of the community and its people.
"To enhance the quality of life of the people of the Bering Straits Region through diverse programming serving elders, families, and youth."
Nome Community Center is proud to be over 100 years old, and this mission still rings true today. In its infancy, the mission was born from the hearts of United Methodist women to address the needs of the community of Nome. Nome Community Center continues to strive to fulfill its mission by transforming itself to meet the needs of the community and its people.
THE NOME COMMUNITY CENTER STORY
Nome Community Center traces its roots to a reindeer-herding project that began in 1906. Mrs. R. H. Young, Bureau Secretary of Alaska, supplied a generous donation to the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church to establish a reindeer mission at the Sinuk River. The purpose of the mission was to preserve and protect the tradition of reindeer herding. The mission was named the Lavina Wallace Young Mission in honor of its personal benefactor.
In 1911 the reindeer herding project extended from the Sinuk River to Sandspit, a beachfront area of Nome. Two years later, the Young Mission leased the Methodist Church building and opened its doors to the public. Church services, clubs, choirs, classes, workshops, Sunday school, the Epworth League, and recreation programs were among the services provided. The program's diversity even then is what marked the beginning of shaping the mission towards what it would one day become.
The Lavina Wallace Young Mission became Nome Community Center in 1970. On November 14th of that year, Nome Community Center was incorporated as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The move from a church-operated organization to a locally controlled non-profit allowed the Nome Community Center to gain access to funding sources inaccessible to church-operated programs. Although it became an independent agency, Nome Community Center would remain linked to the United Methodist Church through a covenant agreement with the United Methodist Women, and remains a UMW National Mission Institution today.
For a time, the Community Center operation moved out of the church building and into the Young Center Building. Mr. Young, a volunteer carpenter and college professor, built the center utilizing his construction classes. Upon completion, the Young Center functioned as the Community Center office, a youth center and center for serving meals to seniors. The Young Center remains functional as the Boys and Girls Club of Nome, and the XYZ Senior Center has since been relocated to Division Street for senior meals and elder services. Currently Nome Community Center corporate offices are also located at the Division Street address.
The programs and services of Nome Community Center are always changing and shifting to better accommodate the needs of the community. Athough over the past century, the look and name of Nome Community Center have changed, its purpose has remained stronger than ever: preservation of family, culture, education, and support for the people of Nome and the Bering Straits Region.
Nome Community Center traces its roots to a reindeer-herding project that began in 1906. Mrs. R. H. Young, Bureau Secretary of Alaska, supplied a generous donation to the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church to establish a reindeer mission at the Sinuk River. The purpose of the mission was to preserve and protect the tradition of reindeer herding. The mission was named the Lavina Wallace Young Mission in honor of its personal benefactor.
In 1911 the reindeer herding project extended from the Sinuk River to Sandspit, a beachfront area of Nome. Two years later, the Young Mission leased the Methodist Church building and opened its doors to the public. Church services, clubs, choirs, classes, workshops, Sunday school, the Epworth League, and recreation programs were among the services provided. The program's diversity even then is what marked the beginning of shaping the mission towards what it would one day become.
The Lavina Wallace Young Mission became Nome Community Center in 1970. On November 14th of that year, Nome Community Center was incorporated as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The move from a church-operated organization to a locally controlled non-profit allowed the Nome Community Center to gain access to funding sources inaccessible to church-operated programs. Although it became an independent agency, Nome Community Center would remain linked to the United Methodist Church through a covenant agreement with the United Methodist Women, and remains a UMW National Mission Institution today.
For a time, the Community Center operation moved out of the church building and into the Young Center Building. Mr. Young, a volunteer carpenter and college professor, built the center utilizing his construction classes. Upon completion, the Young Center functioned as the Community Center office, a youth center and center for serving meals to seniors. The Young Center remains functional as the Boys and Girls Club of Nome, and the XYZ Senior Center has since been relocated to Division Street for senior meals and elder services. Currently Nome Community Center corporate offices are also located at the Division Street address.
The programs and services of Nome Community Center are always changing and shifting to better accommodate the needs of the community. Athough over the past century, the look and name of Nome Community Center have changed, its purpose has remained stronger than ever: preservation of family, culture, education, and support for the people of Nome and the Bering Straits Region.
Learn more about our programs by watching our FY21 annual report video!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Nome Community Center Board is established to set and monitor the direction of the agency. Additionally, they are tasked with hiring the Executive Director, who oversees all of the agency's programs. Members of the board hold positions in varying organizations in Nome, and well-respect and represent the diversity of Nome. Nome Board of Director meetings are held monthly. At the time of a vacancy, new members are elected by a nominating committee established within the board.
2022 Board of Directors
The Nome Community Center Board is established to set and monitor the direction of the agency. Additionally, they are tasked with hiring the Executive Director, who oversees all of the agency's programs. Members of the board hold positions in varying organizations in Nome, and well-respect and represent the diversity of Nome. Nome Board of Director meetings are held monthly. At the time of a vacancy, new members are elected by a nominating committee established within the board.
2022 Board of Directors
- Margaret Thomas, President
- Pastor Bertha Koweluk, Vice President
- Melissa Ford, Treasurer
- Raeshawndra Jett, Secretary
- Garrick Fuller, Officer at Large
- Joy Morgan
- Bridie Trainor
- Jessica Lemaire
- Veronica Alviso
- Pastor Bertha Koweluk
- Jenn Miller
- Linda Heim
- Debbie Pintsch
Several Nome Community Center programs participate in USDA meal programs, and abide by the quality standards necessary to support our clientele effectively.
USDA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”
USDA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”