Who We Are | PDX City Wide

What is Citywide?

Citywide is a non-profit 501c(3) servicing Washington and Oregon areas. It was established in August 2021 by Cary Pratt Jr. and Natisha Pratt. We partner with local schools and organizations, providing underprivileged youth with vocational training, support services, physical and emotional health services to build resilient, diverse, and thriving communities.

Citywide was founded on its mission statement, “Reach one, teach one.” We believe that strong communities are built by strong individuals. Our impact comes from direct one-on-one mentorship as well as larger community events. We offer a variety of services determined by the needs of the community. These services include:

Vocational teaching and hands-on training in the professional business world to acquire skills such as barbering, web design, financial literacy, how to build a business, and other skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur.
Backpacks, back-to-school kits, and haircuts to help students start their school year feeling their best and ready for success.
Physical and emotional health services, such as COVID immunization and access to career coaching and a therapist.

We use these services to promote new perspectives within the individual, and prosperity within the community.

Citywide serves the community, and Citywide is the community. We are the people who grew up in Northeast Portland and graduated from high schools in the Portland area. We have a comprehensive and clear understanding of what our community needs. We were the youth who needed mentorship, vocational training, and business skills education. After our life time of working hard to build these skills from the ground up, we have a broad and deep network of local individuals and institutions who generously partner with us in empowering the next generation. We are grateful for partnership from North by Northeast, the City of Portland, Metro Bond, Adidas, Reed College, Mud Bone, the Oregon food bank, Boise Elliott Elementary, Providence, and OHSU.

Citywide's youth are the future, and the future is bright. We plan to build a brick-and-mortar community center, gathering space, and vocational training school. The center will help us offer more hands-on mentorship and career coaching to our youth, as well as a barber school. The barber school will futher give back to the community by offering free hair cuts to community members who cannot otherwise afford one. Please consider helping our community meet its present and future needs by donating today.

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Executive Director

Cary Pratt

Growing up and living in Northeast Portland, some of my best memories were that of other people in the community coming and helping and teaching me. From the perspective of Gents where I learned unity and togetherness are essential to thrive and build a better community; PSU book clubs reading books and understanding that there is always room to grow and that there are answers to my questions if I choose to look and ask for help; chess club where planning and strategy are key components in life and if you stay inventive new doors will open up for you; and Youth Employment institutions (YEI) taught me that hard work and being diligent will get you further ahead than relying on talent and charm. There are many more, but these are what shaped the foundation of what Citywide is about.

These programs were my outlets of hope in what seemed like a pit of despair. My sister and I did not grow up in the best living conditions. Many times we went to bed not eating or barely eating enough because money was sparse in a single-parent home. Often we would not have a proper bathroom to clean ourselves or have to sleep with our clothes on because the heating furnace would go out because we had run out of oil. I had made a promise to myself that when I got to a place in life where I could help kids who were like me and my sister I would. My thought process was if I could just reach that kid who was hiding because they did not want to be noticed for wearing the same clothes or asking friends for the rest of their lunch so they could be full. I would make sure to have resources to help them not just at the moment but leave a lasting impression through education and innovative strategies to give them a new perspective on life.

My intention when starting Citywide was to meet the needs of the people of the community by giving them the resources they were lacking. Because I lived it and all I needed was for someone to care enough about me to show me that there was another way, that I was not stuck in despair. Citywide wants to be a bridge for paradigm shifts for people in the community living with the mindset that this is all that there is for me and give them newfound purpose.

THE TEAM

Co-Founder & President

Natisha Pratt

As a passionate advocate for community empowerment and social change, Natisha Pratt serves as Co-Founder and President at Citywide, where they drive impactful initiatives aimed at fostering equity and opportunity for all. With over 17 of experience in property management, development, asset management, and affordable housing. Natisha has dedicated their career to creating sustainable solutions that address the unique challenges faced by our communities. Her commitments and contributions have been widely recognized.

In 2023, she was awarded the esteemed Asset Management Star Player accolade by Oregon Housing. She was also honored in 2024 with the Black History Leadership of Accomplishment to Inspire award, which serves as a testament to her remarkable achievements in the field and dedication to her community. Additionally, she holds several certifications in HUD, RD, LIHTC, WA MULTE Program and has obtained the prestigious 2023 Asset Management Specialist Certification from CHAM. Additionally, she possesses notable academic achievements, including an Associate degree in Computer Forensics and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.

At Citywide, Natisha leads efforts to give back to the BIPOC community and underprivileged youth, serve the houseless families and individuals & provide therapeutic space. With a strong focus on education, health & community, Natisha works tirelessly to advocate for policies and practices that promote social justice and equity. Their mission is to create pathways for success that uplift and inspire, ensuring that the voices of the underserved are heard and valued.

Natisha Pratt is excited to continue the work at Citywide, where they are dedicated to transforming lives and building a brighter future for all.

Therapist

Reginald V Gilmore II

Our therapeutic work uses a strength-based approach to concentrate on the inherent strengths of individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Our approach will successfully shift the balance of care and help develop services focused on prevention and independence. The focus on health and well-being is engraved in our mission as we set out to provide service to populations at risk.

Reginald will provide case management, care coordination, skill-building, job training, and short-term therapy to individuals in need. Peer support groups will also be offered periodically throughout the year. The clinician will filter clients through a Multi-Tiered System of Support to manage the client's needs. Our outreach team will target the homeless population, low-income families, males of color, and at-risk youth.

Reginald's mission is to offer a service tailored to address at-risk populations' needs with insight, creativity, and resourcefulness. At City Wide, we understand the connections of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Research has proven that when we look and feel good, we are in a greater mood. Moods significantly impact an individual's productivity, decisions, and how they choose to manage stress levels. We plan to uplift the city through our program and empower our most valuable population to thrive and find purpose.

To learn more visit:

Gentle Giant Counseling