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Our Mission
The Congregation of Black Naturalists (CBN) is dedicated to helping immigrant and refugee youth experience healing, belonging, and leadership development through culturally grounded wellness, nature connection, mentorship, and community engagement.
We believe that when young people feel supported, connected, and valued, they are better equipped to thrive physically, emotionally, and socially and to grow into confident leaders who care for their communities and the environment.
CBN uses sports, environmental education, mentorship, and community-based programming to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, strengthen community connections, expand educational and career pathways, and create opportunities for young people to develop meaningful relationships with nature.
Through partnerships with local organizations, including health professionals and community partners, we use soccer and experiential learning as platforms to bring young people together while promoting health equity, leadership development, educational opportunity, and environmental stewardship. Our vision extends beyond the playing field by creating pathways for youth to explore careers, higher education, mentorship, and future opportunities that help them thrive and reach their full potential.
Our Vision
We envision a future where immigrant and refugee youth have equitable access to wellness, nature, education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities—and where every young person feels a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope for their future.
By fostering confidence, community connection, and opportunities for personal growth, we aspire to empower the next generation to become healthy, resilient leaders, environmental stewards, and active contributors to their communities.
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Projects
Let's Grow
Through Let's Grow, CBN promotes health, environmental stewardship, and community well-being by helping underserved families build connections to nature and food systems. We support community gardening efforts that provide opportunities to learn about growing food, caring for the environment, and increasing access to fresh and culturally relevant foods.
CBN has distributed more than 1,000 native Oregon plants throughout the Salem area to strengthen local biodiversity and encourage community engagement with Oregon's natural environment. We have also supported Washington Elementary's community garden through administration, transportation assistance, hands-on garden care, and donations of gardening equipment, helping create opportunities for students and families to learn, connect, and access fresh foods.
Rescue & Nourish
CBN believes access to nutritious food is fundamental to individual and community health and well-being. We recognize that food insecurity disproportionately impacts underserved communities, including many immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC families, and can contribute to health disparities and reduced access to healthy foods.
As part of our long-term vision, CBN is exploring partnerships with farms, retailers, and community organizations to rescue nutritious produce, reduce food waste, and improve access to healthy foods that support the health and well-being of communities experiencing food insecurity.
Soccer for Change
CBN develops innovative youth soccer and wellness programs that use sports as a platform to promote health, belonging, leadership development, and future opportunities for underserved youth, particularly immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC youth. We design our programs to address community-specific needs and create welcoming, culturally responsive spaces where young people can build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and thrive.
Our programs emphasize technical skill development, leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and lifelong physical and emotional well-being. Youth also participate in leadership development activities focused on growth mindset, goal setting, mentorship, and positive decision-making, as well as health education on injury prevention, sleep, nutrition, and hydration.
To ensure equitable participation, we work to remove barriers by providing scholarships, equipment and safety gear, meals, transportation assistance, and educational and enrichment opportunities when resources allow. Through partnerships with community leaders and organizations, CBN has proudly served more than 270 youth and continues to use sports and experiential learning to empower young people to become healthy, confident leaders on and off the field.
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