For many of the young people we serve, unaddressed dental health issues have left them struggling for months and months with pain. And for most youth experiencing homelessness, access to dental care is out of reach. That’s why we are so are grateful to Medical Teams International (MTI) and the Ray Hickey Foundation – just last week, MTI drove […]

“On behalf of New Avenues for Youth and the diverse young people we serve, I want to express our deep sadness over the horrific act of violence targeted at the LGBTQ community in Orlando yesterday. Our hearts go out to the victims and to their families, friends and community.   Despite the grief and fear we […]

In response to the growing need  in the area, New Avenues’ East Connect program provides services to youth in East County at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. We work with existing partners in the community to expand homelessness prevention and early intervention services in SE Portland by offering: Mentoring & advocacy from staff trained in Trauma […]

In October 2009, New Avenues lost a dear friend who had a unique vision and heart for young people in the Portland community – Joyce Furman, a founder and board member of New Avenues for Youth. For more than twelve years, Joyce was an advocate for this organization and for the homeless youth New Avenues […]

Last month, Seth Johnstone, New Avenues’ LGBTQ Community Education Specialist,  traveled to upstate New York to provide Bridge 13 training to employees of the New York State Department of Corrections. For some time now, Seth has been working with Multnomah County and Clackamas County corrections facilities to train staff in the sheriff’s department and nurses […]

As we all know, access to higher education and obtaining a college degree is invaluable. College graduates not only have a “higher earning potential, but they also have a greater sense of job satisfaction, greater job stability, and better physical health” Yet, according to the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth: […]

As we help youth transition off the streets and into independent living, many of the young people we serve do not have any of the household items necessary in making a home. We hope to provide them with a welcoming gift basket upon arrival in their first apartment, filled with a few necessities and are […]

We’ve got a lot of great summer activities planned for the youth we serve.  If you are interested in donating any of the items listed below, please bring them to our 1220 SW Columbia Street offices Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm or call Hana Sant at 503.517. 3900 for more information.  Thank you! Sweatpants Closed-toe shoes/hiking boots (women’s […]

Youth transitioning out of foster care without a permanent home or family support face significant challenges including experiencing homelessness. (40% of the homeless youth in Oregon report a history in foster care.) Nationally, only about 10% of youth in care enroll in postsecondary education and only about 3% obtain a degree in comparison to 40% […]

After nearly two decades of working with sexual and gender minority youth, New Avenues for Youth and the SMYRC program know firsthand that the harassment and discrimination they experience commonly lead to adverse long-term impacts on their education, safety, mental health, well-being, and future socioeconomic status. Bridge 13 is a community education program that shares […]