The Center for African Immigrants and Refugee Organizations (CAIRO) is located just outside the northwest corner of Centennial, and it serves immigrant and refugee families throughout East Portland.
Someone intentionally set fire to the play structure at the CAIRO Academy‘s early learning center shortly before 2 a.m. on August 3. (See news coverage here.)
The playground was brand new. It had just been finished after more than a year of planning, fundraising, and hard work from the CAIRO team, funders, families, and neighbors. It was built for children from immigrant, refugee, and low-income families as a safe space to play, laugh, and just be kids.
The Centennial Community Association speaks with one voice against hate crimes, and in solidarity with all our neighbors. Our diversity is our strength; our care for each other makes us a community. We must stand up for each other.
The CCA Board voted at our August 2025 meeting to contribute to the CAIRO GoFundMe in support of rebuilding this community asset.