COVID-19 has altered the world around us, and we are facing a new reality.

One of the many areas impacted are our social enterprises. With the recent mandate to close restaurants and stay home, New Avenues has had to make many challenging decisions impacting youth and our programs, including closing our two social enterprise Ben & Jerry PartnerShops until they can safely re-open.

The PartnerShops serve not only as income generators for New Avenues but as critical features of our job-training program, providing youth experiencing homelessness with six-week, paid work experiences in a mentored environment. The shops also employ young people in our services who have advanced into management roles.

Unfortunately, the shop closures leave these individuals—who have worked so hard to overcome barriers and challenges in their lives—without crucial employment income. We continue to support them with case management, advice, and access to limited services, but we must do more. Through your generosity, we were able address this concern by creating an emergency fund for this group to support their immediate needs.

As we continue to meet the increased need in our community with innovative solutions, we are asking for your support to help us respond quickly and fully to the needs of youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. 

Please consider one of the many ways to give:

— Support youth in our programs by providing a one time or monthly gift!

— Are you a Nike or Apple employee? Make a donation in response to COVID-19 and these companies will double your impact — making your $100 gift a $300 donation. Or check with your company to see if they are matching donations.

— Help keep our spaces safe! Consider donating any excess hand sanitizer, disposable sanitizing wipes, or surgical masks you have on hand.

— Meals to go. We need to go boxes and supplies to offer meals to go for youth not wanting services but just a meal to go.

— Donate while you shop! Fred Meyer Community Rewards and AmazonSmile programs give back to New Avenues as you shop.

— Brews for New Avenues beer cellar has been opened to raise critical funds. Jump online to bid on some rare beer to support us.

This is a time that we need your generosity more than ever.

As we implement new strategies to address need, we need your help to turn plans into action.

Thank you so much for addressing this critical need with us. Stay tuned for more updates. We are wishing your health and safety amidst this crisis.

Email Lauren Eads, Director of Development, at leads@newavenues.org to learn more about how you can help.