Multnomah Grow Your Own: A Story of Impact & Resilience
Multnomah Grow Your Own (MGYO) is a partnership of school districts, higher education institutions, and community-based organizations dedicated to helping paraeducators, high school students, and community members pursue education degrees with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Alongside a group of supportive peers, participants take classes built for working adults — including online, evening, and weekend courses — with a high level of one-on-one support from dedicated program staff.
Over the last four years MGYO has built a strong pipeline of educators in the region. MGYO has supported 141 educators with pathways guidance, tuition assistance, emotional support, and a sense of belonging. It has also celebrated the licensure completion of 56 teachers and school leaders. Today, nearly 30 of these graduates are employed in schools across Multnomah County.
In the Spring of 2025, the MGYO experienced a significant reduction in state funding. Amidst this uncertainty and with only a small team remaining, MGYO chose to keep moving forward. Program Administrator Alejandra Nava and her team reorganized quickly—centering on participant needs while staying focused on sustaining the most essential supports. They leaned into the power of collaboration with trusted partnerships with six Multnomah County school districts, four Community-Based Organizations, and three higher education institutions. And they narrowed their focus to elevate the voices of those closest to the work through four listening sessions that included diverse educator groups in the community. The collected data was distilled to human-centered themes and insights to guide their work moving forward.
MGYO is now entering its next chapter with a renewed focus on sustainability and clarity of purpose. At its heart, MGYO is about people who want to serve their communities and create better futures for students. Even during a time of financial strain, that purpose has held steady.
Throughout the program’s development, MCREN has been honored to contribute funding to support the high level of coordination required for this work and to provide support in program design and evaluation. MCREN continues to stand with the program and our shared belief that our region deserves schools guided by educators who reflect the knowledge, culture, and lived experiences of the students they teach.
