New Avenues for Youth
HistoryNew Avenues for Youth was established in 1997 by local business and community leaders in response to the growing needs of homeless and at-risk youth in downtown Portland. The founders believed that every young person should have food, shelter, and access to education and job training and that the community must go beyond meeting those basic needs by offering programs that heal young lives and nurture growth and independence.
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Reflection
Although I am only preparing and serving food - a task that may be seen as relatively small in the big scheme of things - I think my consistent presence makes the difference. The academic work that I hope to complete in the near future aims to not only raise awareness regarding the often ignored homeless and at-risk youth demographic, but also to give this marginalized group a platform to voice their experiences and the impact of society’s stigmas on their individual identities. If my work does not always make a difference for the youth, I know it makes a difference for NAFY staff members who show up on a daily basis to perform a job that is exhausting and emotionally demanding. If I can make their job just a little bit easier so they can focus their attention on the youth, I do feel as though, in a small way, I am indirectly contributing to the youth.
Contact314 SW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 224-4339 |