The tiny town of Buena is set in central Washington State’s beautiful Yakima Valley. It is unincorporated, rural, and isolated. Most of the approximately 800 residents work in the area’s farms, vineyards, and orchards.

Buena has no sidewalks, restaurants, schools, or gas stations. Vacant homes and businesses line the streets. Many are covered with signs of gang activity. Children and teens have few alternative activities to counteract gang influence. There is a significant exception: Buena has a library. (Link to About the Library)

The Friends of the Buena Library (FOBL) is a non-profit, grassroots organization that includes orchardists, farmers, farm workers, and community leaders. We organized in 2002 to save the 80-year old library from having to close its doors for lack of a facility. With the help of funds from the Washington State Legislature, we were able to purchase the library property.

Now we are hoping to achieve our next dream: a community center, with expanded space for the library plus much needed health, educational and recreational services for all ages. The Buena Community Center, El Centro de Buena, may become home to services such as:

• After school tutoring in partnership with the Toppenish School District,
• Reading to Learn, and 21st-Century programs
• Senior Nutrition program through County of Yakima
• ESL classes in partnership with Heritage University
• Well child clinics, dental screenings, mental health services, through Yakima
• Valley Farm Workers Clinic
• Life skills program through ESD 105
• Day care services

We already have tremendous support from our community partners.