Youth & Family Programs/Activities
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ACT-SO, NAACP of Lane County Eugene and Springfield, OR For over thirty years, the mission of ACT-SO has been to prepare, recognize, and reward youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.
ACT-SO is a year-long youth achievement program that begins in August of each year in local communities nationwide. In more than 200 local communities throughout the U.S., ACT-SO adult volunteers recruit students and mentors. Students work with mentors from August to April to develop their projects and performances for the local competition.
ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that all students can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms and laboratories across this nation and abroad.
Africa House (IRCO) Youth Programs Africa House is the only culturally and linguistically specific one stop center targeting the increasingly diverse and rapidly growing number of African immigrants and refugees living in Oregon.
IRCO supports children, youth and families through their neighborhood schools by providing a rich array of extended day programming, food and resource support, Kindergarten readiness, parent leadership, and family engagement. Our 20 SUN Community Schools serve as resource hubs across Multnomah County empowering communities through their schools.
IRCO supports K-12 students with holistic, wraparound services that promote academic success through afterschool groups, one-on-one case management, mentoring, tutoring, academic advocacy, family engagement, and community celebrations. IRCO's culturally and linguistically specific supports narrow opportunity gaps, improve reading and math, ease school transitions, and increase the number of youth graduating from high school and pursuing college or career opportunities.
Afro/Kidworks Dance for Every Child A fun filled arts and culture dance class for children ages 4 - 11
Albina Sports Program, Youth Programs Founded in 1965, in Portland, Oregon, Albina Sports Program serves both youth and adults. We are a comprehensive program uplifting both our youth and adults to become better together. Programs include Track & Field, Basketball and Flag Football (coming soon). Scholarships available.
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Ballet in Color Ballet in Color is a Portland-based nonprofit organization. Our mission is to inspire African American girls to pursue ballet through introductory ballet lessons and mentorship. We provide a mentor and one-on-one ballet classes to African American girls ages 5-12. These classes will not only promote physical strength and agility but also develop self-confidence, self-expression, and love for movement. We believe that no matter your background, socioeconomic status, or the color of your skin, everyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of ballet.
Bars to Bridges (B2B), Multnomah Education Service District Provides positive culturally responsive educational transitions and career support to justice-involved youth and youth who have experienced incarceration or detention in counties across Oregon. B2B’s core focus is supporting youth that identify as African American, Black, Bi-racial and/or Multi-racial and their family members. B2B’s goals center on reducing justice recidivism, interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, increasing school attendance and increasing academic achievement through culturally responsive and trauma informed practices and relationships. We actively (re)connect youth with educational programming, and advocate for equitable educational and cultural experiences through outreach and culturally relevant interagency practices.
BASE BOYZ, BASE Southern Oregon Medford, OR Goals of the program: to help Black boys develop a strong sense of self-worth and identity, build skills and knowledge in a variety of new experiences, share space and create a network of supportive relationships.
The program is designed to have strong connections with Black Boys, and to provide them with the support, tools and opportunity to embrace a variety of new, exciting and empowering experiences.
BASE Southern Oregon Youth Program Medford, OR Our Youth Program is a vibrant platform crafted exclusively for children of Black/African descent, designed to ignite profound growth, foster leadership skills, and nurture meaningful social connections. Through a rich array of classes and captivating events, we introduce our youth to an array of expert knowledge and diverse talents, creating an immersive environment that not only encourages but passionately propels them towards cultural enlightenment, self-empowerment, and the admiration of their community.
Beaverton Black Parent Union, Youth Programs Beaverton Black Parent Union aims to develop the needed community organizing infrastructure to address the isolation families feel and collectively advocate for change within schools and the district. Programs include:
UMOJA Black Achievement Scholarship
Summer Academy
Sankofa Mental Health Wellness
Black & Green Fellowship
Soul Strolls
Cultural Celebrations
Big Yard Academy- Our innovative two-week program combines intense flag football training with an engaging S.T.E.A.M. curriculum. Designed for student-athletes in 6th-8th grade both girls and boys. Our academy focuses on honing skills, fostering teamwork, and igniting curiosity.
Books & Ballers- Big Yard teamed up with Friends of The Children to put on our Books and Ballers event. Nearly 100 kids in the FOC programs showed up with their “friends” and were able to pick out as many books as they lined on their Big Yard journey.
Bookworms- Big Yard bookworms is a 10-week program run in partnership with Amira Learning, an artificial intelligence reading tutor that teaches kids how to read. This program gives K-3 students free access to the software for the duration of the 10-week program. Students spend time reading with Amira and then meet weekly with Big Yard and celebrity guests to discuss reading, their favorite books, and receive shout outs + rewards for spending time reading with Amira.
Football Camp- Join former NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett at his 4th annual football camp to learn from collegiate and professional football players as well as the Central Catholic football coaching staff. This camp is designed for incoming 6th-9th graders who want to learn how to elevate their game.
BIPOC Youth Dance Program, Steps PDX This 10-month long program is carefully designed to provide a safer space for students of color to learn and grow in a dance studio environment. We strive to share a program where students build self-confidence, are eager to learn from their teachers and foster positive engagement with their peers.
Black Early Learning, The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County Lane County, OR This program for young African American/Black children provides learning opportunities, connects them with other Black children, and supports parents as they help their children learn and grow. Free to all children in Lane County with Black heritage between 0-6 years old.
Black Educational Achievement Movement (BEAM) The Black Educational Achievement Movement is a collective of Black educational service providers and Black professionals in both the public and private sectors who are committed to promoting Black academic excellence and providing a counterpoint to the experiences of Black students in public and private classrooms.
Black Leaders Activating Cultural Knowledge to Succeed (BLACKS) Eugene, OR BLACKS offers a mentorship program through our sister organization, the Ladies Club, INC.
Junior membership programs LIW (Ladies in Wait) and GIT (Gentlemen in Training) specifically focus on etiquette, presentation, and poise among other things. Girls and boys will have the opportunity to build community while also benefiting from: monthly support groups with peers, select modules per term, the earning of accolades, domestic and travel abroad experience, and the building of their portfolios for college and/or vocational school admissions.
Junior members will also learn how to present themselves, how to dress for success. Members will participate in volunteer and community service opportunities as well as learn how to interact with others optimizing their strengths as they move forward. Students will gain self-sufficiency skills in preparation for the real world. All successful graduates will be eligible to apply for scholarships to university and vocational school.
Black Men In Training (B.M.I.T.) Our mission is to empower Black youth and adolescents to overcome the many challenges related to youth violence, gang involvement, failing education, underemployment and social interaction. Empowerment is achieved through our transformative experience that includes mentorship, educational support, job readiness and social skill development.
Black Parent Initiatives (BPI) BPI’s mission has been to educate and mobilize the parents and caregivers of African, African American and African American Multi-cultural children to ensure they achieve success.
Our vision is actualized by inspiring, engaging, and mobilizing parents/caregivers to improve the educational outcomes of Black children.
Black Student Media Project: Black Student Magazine, Journalistic Learning Initiative JLI’s Black Student Media Project is a growing collection of academic enrichment programs for students of color, including onsite workshops, events, and creative showcases.
The Black Student Magazine is a virtual after-school program that brings students of color and allies nationwide together to produce a digital magazine. Leading up to the annual publication, participants engage with industry experts weekly and receive coaching in small groups from undergraduate students of journalism at the University of Oregon. It is set to engage middle and high school students nationwide in a celebration of Black culture designed to elevate and amplify seldom-heard voices and viewpoints. Released annually each February, project participants have opportunities to improve their writing, research, and communication skills.
Black Student Success Summit, Black Educational Achievement Movement (B.E.A.M.) The Black Student Success Summit (BSSS) is an annual one-day event held in the spring where Black youth come together from across Oregon & SW Washington to learn how to navigate the education-to-career pathways for various industries, through interactive workshops, affinity group caucuses, motivational speeches, and structured networking activities.
All BSSS activities are culturally specific, in that they are created and implemented by Black professionals representing both public and private sectors acting in concert with Black educators.
Workshop topics stem from workshop evaluations, students’ voices, and an annual Black community needs assessment, conducted in conjunction with students and community members.
The overarching goal of the summit is to enhance students’ social capital such that they are empowered to be unlimited in their choice of educational and career opportunities.
Black Swimming Initiatives Our mission is to expand meaningful participation in water sports by providing a strong sense of belonging for Black athletes of all backgrounds, abilities, and lifestyles by supporting safe and accessible water safety and swimming instruction.
We envision a world where racism is eliminated from the aquatics and water sports; where individuals can access bodies of water with confidence in themselves and be welcomed by all.
Black United Fund of Oregon, Post Secondary Programs The mission of the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) is to assist in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.
Post Secondary programs include:
Mentor4Success
Scholarships
BUF Talks
Alumni Network
Black Youth Summer Institute, Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR In partnership with the Black Southern Oregon Alliance, the Black Youth Summer Institute (BYSI) is a week-long summer camp exploring a broad range of classes, lectures, cultural experiences and recreational activities in a university setting for students completing grades 7-12.
Selected students will interact with other students living throughout Oregon who identify as a community member of the African diaspora, a worldwide collection of communities descended from native Africans. Additionally, the BYSI campers will also spend time with Black and African American leaders and instructors during classes, presentations, and recreational activities to learn and explore topics of culture and heritage.
Blazers Boys and Girls Club Boys & Girls Clubs are safe, positive places for kids to enjoy fun and engaging programs at an affordable price.
Clubs provide enrichment programs to youth while empowering them with a sense of belonging and security. Clubs surround members with caring, trained staff that engage them in nationally proven evidence-based youth development programs.
Program areas include leadership and community service; academic enrichment; science and technology; performing and visual arts; personal health and fitness; college prep and workforce training; and recreation and sports leadership leagues.
Brown Girl Rise Our mission is to cultivate solidarity between girls & non-binary youth of the Global Majority*. We are a sisterhood of Black, Indigenous, and girls and nonbinary youth of color, reclaiming our connection to body, community, land, health, and creativity to cultivate a just future where we rise together.
Brown Girl Rise strives to cultivate a culture of accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity for all youth participants and their families. Programs include:
Summer Camps
Craft and Community
Ancestral Skills Overnight Camp
Food Justice Day Camp
Self Care Day Camp
Media Day Camp
Portland Power Day Camp
BSTRONG, Black Educational Achievement Movement (B.E.A.M.) The Black Scholars Together Reclaiming Our Natural Greatness (BSTRONG) summer program is an extracurricular summer program that improves academic outcomes for Black-identified youth via workshops and civic engagement opportunities. Students gain historical knowledge and community organizing skills that translate to academic excellence and life-long civic engagement.
The BSTRONG Summer Program is an immersive and engaging day camp for 14-18 year olds that runs from July to late August each year.
During the summer program, students engage with Black community members from a variety of disciplines that intersect with environmental, social, emotional, and racial justice. Students also find connections with Black civic leaders, mentors, and artists who are actively engaged with the Black Liberation Movement.
The BSTRONG Summer Learning Hubs prioritizes students of African Ancestry. Through our curriculum, students gain historical knowledge of disappearing Black culture, community organizing skills, and a foundation for life-long civic engagement through walking tours, art projects, and storytelling.
BTown Kids, Community Violence Prevention Alliance "BTown Kids" is for high-energy outreach focused on showing some love to kids in North Portland. Every Saturday from June through August, BTown Kids teams go into New Columbia (The Ville) in North Portland to sing songs, play games, engage, and share love with hundreds of kids in the area.
Building Blocks to Success (BB2S) BB2S aims to inspire youth interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It focuses on serving all youth but specifically those identified as underserved, underrepresented, and from lower economic status.
Building Leaders And Zealous Entrepreneurs (BLAZE) The BLAZE program is open to 18-24 year old’s in the Portland-Metro area, who are passionate about their business idea. The BLAZE program is a 12-month program that will help you bring your products or services to life, with the goal of launching your business at the end of the 12 months.
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CAIRO Youth Programs As the State’s largest black immigrant agency, our goal is to help develop the necessary support and tools for our families to become their own advocates and agents of change. Youth programs include:
The SPACE (Schools, Parents and Communities Engaged) Project- provides mentoring and academic support for school-aged children, while offering training opportunities to the near-adults (parents and teachers) to ensure school success. The diagram below helps our parents and schools visualize CAIRO’s impacts agenda and a bold theory of change, emphasizing the big picture of what it takes to improve outcomes for our African immigrants’ youths in Oregon’s public schools.
The STEAM Project- CAIRO’s STE(A)M program was created to address the particular need among the African immigrant and refugee (AIR) students for additional resources in STE(A)M.
Oregon Youth RISE Project- The Refugee and Immigrant Social Enterprise for the youth seeks to integrate positive youth social and emotional learning, with community engagement, and entrepreneurial workforce skills.
Central Oregon Friends and Families of Ethiopian Ethnicity (C.O.F.F.E.E.) Bend and Central, OR The mission is to help nurture within our adoptive children A grounded sense of self by connecting communities, celebrating family through adoption, and encouraging and exploring Ethiopian culture and heritage with other adoptive kids and Ethiopian Americans.
Coalition of Black Men (COBM), Dream Bigger Mentoring For over a decade, the Coalition of Black Men’s (COBM) Dream Bigger mentoring program has annually served 75 African American/Black young men in grades 6-8th, mentoring them to create a vision for their future that shows clear connections among education, career, and lifestyle choices; providing tools and support to enhance their life skills and confidence; and building community around achieving their career goals. Research shows group mentoring programs produce positive outcomes for youth (behavioral, emotional, academic, etc.).
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Elevate Oregon Elevate Oregon is a non-profit organization serving youth in marginalized communities. Elevate supports students in the Parkrose, Reynolds, and David Douglas school districts of East Portland, three of the most diverse districts in Oregon.
ELSO ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black and Brown communities in the natural and built environment.
Studio Justice is ELSO’s design program made up of paid after school programs and community outreach events for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian youth to learn about design as a tool for racial and social justice.
Design Cohorts- engages young adults in the impact of climate change on the Black and Brown community and how they can design justice through a socially conscious lens.
Girls Engineering Day- Be a part of hands-on design challenges, interact with diverse engineers, and become a community of future women engineers.
Wayfinders Day Camp- A STEAMED based camp for K - 8th graders that focuses on life science, ecology, community, and cultural history.
Youth Design Form- Participate in our Annual Design Forum as we continue to develop ideas and designs to restore Portland’s Historic Albina District.
Ethiopian and Eritrean Cultural and Resource Center (EECRC) EECRC has a mission to empower Ethiopians, Eritreans and other Africans refugees and immigrants by providing culturally appropriate services and resources that promote self-sufficiency, integration, and success.
Our vision is to create a thriving and supportive community that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and fosters success for all.
We strive to accomplish this by providing access to education, healthcare, employment, housing, legal services, and other essential resources that help community members to integrate into their new culture and system. We also advocate for social justice and equity, and work in partnership with other organizations to address the systemic issues that impact the communities we serve.
3v3ryday Grind We offer age-appropriate construction focused workshops in schools and within the community so that participants can get hands on experience working with hand and power tools, and there are some supports around obtaining clothing and gear to enter the workforce. We also provided a safe space to utilize the internet for job search and resume creation.
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The Father’s Group- Youth Programming Redmond, OR The Father’s Group is dedicated to empowering our community through various impactful programs. Our Ujima Youth Program offers an enriching afterschool experience for students aged 11-18. The Bridge Program supports individuals navigating the probation and parole system, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed for successful reintegration. The Deshaun Adderley Scholarship provides low-barrier financial aid, prioritizing Black and Brown students. Lastly, our Empowered initiative will offer personalized 1:1 youth mentorship, fostering growth and resilience. Please click through the various programs below to learn more!
Friends of Noise Friends of Noise is a non-profit organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. We seek to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry. We foster a healthy ecosystem for all ages to thrive by providing youth-focused programs, teaching industry skills, developing resources, mentorship and professional development. We meet young people where they are by facilitating opportunities for immersion into a safer arts community while uplifting youth voices.
Friends of the Children, PDX We select children who face multiple systemic obstacles. We amplify their voices as they write their own stories of hope and resilience.
We commit to each child for the long-term. 12+ years, no matter what. Each child is paired with a paid professional mentor called a Friend. Other OR locations:
Klamath Falls https://friendsklamath.org/
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Holla Our mission is to change the narrative of youth of color through culturally responsive relationships.
HOLLA is a mentorship movement that connects with families, administrators, teachers, and nonprofits to recognize the power and potential of Black and Brown youth. HOLLA mentors engage relationally with students both in and out of school. We provide opportunities for representation, enrichment and exposure through athletics, arts, aviation, outdoors and college preparation. Relationships with our mentors are equally important, we spend time in on-going leadership development and community with mentors throughout the year.
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I Am M.O.R.E. I Am M.O.R.E. is a nationally award-winning nonprofit founded on the belief that EVERYONE can rise to their potential once they are inspired to see their own possibilities. I Am M.O.R.E. is an acronym and a movement; a commitment and a declaration to help youth and adults move through the world with intention and heart.
I Am M.O.R.E. offers a counternarrative to the often deficit-based, traditional youth-development approach of adult saviorism, a form of oppression by adultism, which:
Undermines youth self-esteem and leadership;
Centers adults as the sole experts and heroes; and
Reduces intrinsic motivation in youth
We help young people understand that they are MORE than the worst thing that has ever happened to them. Our theory of change - "Empowered Resilience" ™ - leverages the power of personal storytelling, with critical inquiry and reflection, equity and culturally affirming, social and emotional skill building to teach young people how to deepen their learning and impact on themselves and their community.
I’m Hooked I’m Hooked, Inc. strives to enrich the lives of youth and families, many of whom are experiencing multiple challenges, enabling them to learn valuable life skills while introducing them to the great outdoors.
I’m Hooked, Inc. programs seek to teach participants to conserve and sustain our natural resources, becoming stewards of the outdoors, enriching lives with skills that can be utilized over a lifetime, empowering youth to become powerful partners in solving problems, creating jobs, and leading change.
I’m Hooked, Inc. collaborates with other local organizations to identify youth and mentors throughout the community to promote continual year-long mentoring opportunities.
Imagination Express, World Stage Theatre A one-of-a-kind arts education and outreach program that serves more than 2500 students each year through workshops, classes, in-school and after-school residencies, and free and highly sought after summer camps. Get ready to Imagine, Explore, Create and Grow. Play on a magical playground where well-known stories, themes and topics explored through Movement, Music and Monologue introduces students to role playing, creative exercises, improvisation, physical movement, breathing, vocal warm-ups, various aspects of theater and a staged showcase for family and friends. Our Imagination Express Summer Camp program is for grades K-12 and consists of 2 separate camps.
Inner City Basketball We work with student athletes to develop their strengths, help them succeed on and off the basketball court. Teamwork, effort, consistency and handling adversity are what we teach in our practices, skills trainings and games. Success in our program is measured in the classroom and on the court. We routinely check our players' grades and require a minimum GPA as a prerequisite for playtime on game day. Most of our players aspire to play in high school and college so we focus on helping them become successful student athletes.
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Jack and Jill of America, Inc.- Willamette Valley Chapter Our mission is to empower Black youth in the Pacific Northwest by building confidence through meaningful experiences rooted in the Black community. We are committed to providing opportunities that lay a strong foundation for success, ensuring that our children thrive and reach their full potential.
Through local experiences, mentorships, community partnerships and neighborhood events with a focus on strengthening the black community, we strive to make a lasting impact in the greater Portland Metro Area.
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KairosPDX KairosPDX is a non-profit organization focused on delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families and their communities. Our mission is to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating, confident, creative, compassionate, leaders. We do this through an organizational approach that includes our Learning Academy, Community Relations, Government Affairs, and Training Academy.
Kids Junk Orchestra Kids music workshops & performances that teach young people how to play junk/recycled items. Kids Junk Orchestra players make rhythms and music on whatever surface they can think of — drums, bongos, buckets, body percussion, and even pots and pans!
KinCultivate Albany, OR KinCultivate is dedicated to empowering youth of African descent (by cultivating resilience, belonging, and a strong sense of kinshi) in the Mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon, where Black representation and resources are limited.
We offer culturally specific programs designed to meet the unique needs of Black youth. Our initiatives include a summer camp, cultural events, and educational workshops. Through these efforts, we aim to nurture resilience, promote positive racial identity development, and create pathways to success for young people in our community.
Kinship Youth Support, Bradley Angle Our Healing Roots Program has been in operation since 2006. It offers survivors a safe space to access resources that promote healing and connection. Advocates understand how their unique history has shaped their community and shape their support accordingly.
Our Kinship Program was launched in September 2020 to address the impact of intergenerational trauma experienced by the children of our Healing Roots participants. We help kids strengthen community bonds through peer support groups, family field trips, and culturally specific mentorship opportunities.
KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program, Dr Martin Luther King Jr School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA) The KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program pairs working artists and arts professionals in the Portland area with K - 5th grade students at Dr. MLK Jr. public school in a long term mentorship relationship. Volunteer mentors spend 40 minutes with their mentee each week in a self-directed, flexible studio time designed to foster the development of each student’s individual creative practice and encourage mutual exchange.
KÚKÁTÓNÓN The mission is to inspire confidence, commitment, and vitality among children and young adults, their families and communities; and to broaden awareness of African and African American cultural traditions throughout Oregon. The lack of self-awareness and identity rooted in African culture creates a historical and persistent challenge.
Kúkátónón works to empower and elevate continued dialogue, creativity, and expressiveness among African and African American youth, young adults and the community-at-large focused on cultural arts and education with direct experiences with the customs and traditions of the African diaspora.
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Men of Color Leadership Program, Portland Community College The Men of Color Leadership Program combines college credit courses with student development resources. Participants earn 7 college transferable tuition free credits in CG 140A Career and Life Planning and CG 191 Exploring Identity and Diversity. Classes support knowledge and skill building around various topics including:
Academic success
Demystifying and navigating college demands and expectations
Men’s health and wellness
Exploring identity, race, gender, culture, society, individual transformation, and social change.
Mentoring Brothers in Action Mentoring Brothers in Action is a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and the nation’s three largest African American fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Omega Psi Phi, to engage more African American men in fraternal, social, faith-based, and professional organizations to get involved in one-to-one mentoring to change the odds for African American boys. This program pairs African-American Littles with African-American Bigs who will support them and help them see they can achieve anything they want to in life.
Mercy Connections- Youth and Kids Summer Programs We are a Culturally Specific Nonprofit Organization that serves as a vital bridge, connecting West African refugees, immigrants and other Blacks in the Portland Metropolitan Area to community resources.
We inspire youth and kids through academic, social, and extracurricular activities during summers. This helps to bring out the best in them and to be better suited to help their communities in the future. Activities include indoor & outdoor:
Swimming
Soccer
Basketball
Football
Music
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Naturally Beautiful Project The Naturally Beautiful Project has a mission to provide a safe and judgment-free space for parents and children to learn the necessary tools to achieve healthy hair!
Our vision is to give all children with afro-textured hair a sense of pride and dignity, allowing them to embrace their own hair and culture.
Nature School, Black Oregon Land Trust Corbett, OR Nature school is an educational offering that is designed to be an exciting journey of discovery and exploration, where children can learn about the natural world, develop outdoor skills and cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity through hands-on experiences. Our classroom takes place on 10 acres of land in Corbett OR, providing a blend of forest and farm, nestled in the Columbia River Gorge. We interact with goats, chickens, ducks, wildlife, a natural stream, native plants, a garden, natural play space and more.
Gathering every Saturday in August at the farm in Corbett, OR, our nature school offers a 5 week long summer program designed for children of varying age and skill level. From beginner friendly walks to more advanced wilderness expeditions; to science and ecology, environmental education and practical outdoor skills; as well as simple observation practices and play based learning.
The Next G We’re a community of entrepreneurs and community leaders joining together to support the next generation of Black business leaders. Our mentorship programs help young Black men overcome challenges that often stand in their way, from education and financing to the draw of gangs and the street life.
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Oregon Ethiopian Community Organization (OECO) Youth Programs The Mission of the Ethiopian Community Organization is to bridge the gap created by language and cultural barriers, which prevented Ethiopian refugees and immigrants access to health, social, and other services that are available to them; to transmit cultural values, promote economic and social development for the benefit of Ethiopians living in Portland and its vicinity.
Oregon & SW Washington African Community Development Center Youth Activities Youth Activities are services to be rendered to youth approximately between the ages of 15 – 25 years. Engaging in outreach programs involving recruitment, training, job referrals and placement. The institution (OSWWACDC) will focus on transportation, education, and recreation through “After School Programs.”
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PACKY Academy (Performing. Arts. Creative. Kids. & Youth) At PACKY (Performing. Arts. Creative. Kids. & Youth) Academy we focus on providing the best care and education for your children, while introducing them to performing arts. PACKY Academy has two passions: music and serving the youth with the goal of building a stronger community. Here at PACKY Academy we will create a space where children feel comfortable, loved, respected, and equal, while helping children develop a strong and positive self-image. In addition to providing a rich environment that stimulates learning through performing arts, we have established programs that are developmentally appropriate for each stage of development.
PDX Jazz- Youth Programs A priority of PDX Jazz’s mission is to provide free educational outreach to under-served youth in the greater Portland area and surrounding communities, with a focus on Title 1A-funded schools. Our education programs extend across the entire student body, emphasizing an interdisciplinary appreciation of jazz and its African-American roots from a historical, sociological, and cultural perspective.
People of Color Outdoors Guardians, People of Color Outdoors (POCO) People of Color Outdoors is a healing space where BIPOC can enjoy the outdoors together. We offer nature education and serve as a caring community where true friendships have blossomed between members of all ages and backgrounds.
We enjoy hiking, trail running, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, bird watching and rock climbing.
We have a wonderful nature education program for K-5 students called the People of Color Outdoors Guardians. The Guardians are housed in Columbia Cottage at Columbia Park, and is offered during summer, winter and spring breaks.
Play Grow Learn Play Grow Learn is dedicated to healthy opportunities for sheltered and underserved youth in the community to play, grow, and learn. Initially aimed to support homeless youth, with the extended mission to serve all disenfranchised youth and families.
Pamoja Experience Youth Program, Bridge-Pamoja Bridge-Pamoja has been working with youths for the last 10 years by hosting healing and learning summits. In the past our staff has served as Youth Essential Coordinators, Mentors in different school districts, Behavioral Specialist, Coaches, and much more. We are excited to continue to bring change in our community through the art of storytelling and bridge the gap between the African and the African American communities.
Our vision is to enhance young advocates' abilities to engage, heal, and develop communication skills to learn how to share their stories and experiences to establish meaningful relationships for the future of tomorrow.
The mission is to create safe spaces for our youth to confront those life experiences. These spaces welcome transparency and vulnerability through the art of storytelling. A space to hear one's voice and to plan for one's future. A space to be accepted, develop healthy coping strategies and heal. A space to be supported and loved while discussing topics such as gun violence, mental health, bullying and much more.
Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC) POIC serves more than 3,000 students, trainees, and families throughout the greater Portland area every year. They are committed to the success of underserved youth, adults, and families, and we provide the highest quality services in Education, Employment & Training, Community Safety, and Family & Wellness.
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REAP REAP programs offer customized skill-building for students using restorative justice and trauma-informed practices to maximize their potential. They also provide professional development opportunities for students, fostering overall school site growth.
Rockwood Youth Foundation The Rockwood Youth Foundation is a nonprofit organization spearheading efforts to bring the diamond sports of baseball and softball to the underserved youth, families, and friends of the Rockwood, Gresham area.
Most families have been priced out of the game of baseball and softball. Albina Baseball/Softball wants to mitigate any obstacles that prevent inner-city scholar-athletes from an opportunity to participate.
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Schools Out Rock Out, Dana Thompson Memorial Fund of Awesome Dana Thompson Memorial Fund of Awesome (DTMFA) is a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to equip Black youth to experiment and develop their artistic confidence.
Schools Out Rock Out pilot program took place in winter 2024 as a SUN program for students of Boise-Eliot Elementary in North Portland, in collaboration with Self Enhancement, Inc. All instructors and staff are local Black artists who are passionate about our mission!
The Script Internships For BIPOC students entering freshman through senior years.
Our internships are paid, full-time positions lasting 10-12 weeks with competitive compensation, one-on-one mentoring, and career development resources.
Pay starting at $18/hour- Our internships offer competitive compensation that values your time, skills, and effort
Remote & on-site opportunities- Work remotely or join an in-person team in Portland. Companies provide a small stipend for transportation or remote work support
Online portal & resource library- Access tools to help build your resume and strengthen your professional profile
Full-time for 10-12 weeks- Immerse yourself in real-world experience to build a strong foundation for your future career
One-on-one mentor meetings- Gain valuable insights and feedback via personalized meetings with a senior colleague throughout your internship
Career development events- Connect with your cohort peers and senior professionals at virtual workshops, networking events, and happy hours
Sebé Kan Youth African dance company and drum ensemble. Sebé Kan is a space for Black youth to show up, and learn, and grow and perform.
Second Chance Act: Fatherhood Engagement Youth Program, SEI The goal of this program is to improve the relationship between the youth and their currently or formerly incarcerated parent. We also aim to increase the youth's self-esteem, positive behaviors, and school attendance, while stabilizing the youth's current placement.
This is the referral form used to make referrals to SEI's Community and Family Programs Second Chance Act Fatherhood Engagement program. Referrals can be made by an ODHS Caseworker or Family Coach, a Community Agency, a community member, or by self-referral.
Self Enhancement, Inc (SEI) SEI is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and partner community organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of community life.
Programming includes:
In-School Program- Our In-School Program begins with students as young as the second grade. Each student is matched with an In-School Service Coordinator who provides case management tracking academic achievement, attendance, social development, and a career path toward becoming a positive contributing citizen.
After School Programming- The After School Program serves to provide creative enrichment opportunities for our In School Program students. We focus on fostering a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, creatively, and personally. We offer a diverse range of classes designed to inspire innovation, spark creativity, build essential life skills, and encourage leadership development.
Summer- Each summer, we provide five to six weeks of full-day programming. The program emphasizes academic enrichment, recreational activities, involvement in the arts, exposure to the community, and preparation for post-secondary education and employment.
Sun School- SEI oversees 17 SUN sites, expanding over four school districts and including one charter school.
Post High- We provide support for developing employment and career goals, entering and succeeding in college, as well as financial literacy and basic life skills.
Parent Child Development Services (PCDS)- provide services for families of children ages 0-6 to promote positive parenting, healthy child development, and school readiness. All child development services include a range of activities designed to promote parent competence and healthy child development.
Soul River Inc. (SRI) At Soul River Inc. (SRI), U.S. veterans mentor inner-city youth through outdoor educational transformative journey of experiences learning the art of fly fishing and fostering community in serene natural settings. Veterans find purpose, healing, community and leadership while empowering inner city youth as mentors. Our program unites inner city youth and veterans through outdoor experiences to build lasting bonds with nature, aiming to bridge urban-veteran divides and cultivate a community of outdoor leaders dedicated to conservation.”
S.T.A.R.S. Mentoring Program S.T.A.R.S. is a program that provides mentorship and programming for at-risk alternative school students between the ages of 12-26, helping them to successfully transition into becoming contributing members of their community. We serve youth affected by DHS system, foster system, and juvenile court system. We help them create individual success plans that promote social change in their community. We serve gang-affiliated/gang-affected students by providing them with the resources, and opportunities needed to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Groups & Activities
Mentoring
Job Readiness
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Tappin Roots (TR) TR is an environmental internship program for Black and Brown-identified high school students in the Greater Portland area. Tappin Roots was created by a collaborative group of Black and Indigenous-led organizations.
TR seeks to train and empower the next generation of environmental leaders and community leaders using:
Storytelling
Mentorship
Career exploration
Place-based learning
Healing practices
The TR partners hope to connect young Black Oregonians closer to nature, and closer to their cultural history. Each Intern is eligible to receive up to $4000 based on their participation in the following:
Orientation
Monthly Symposiums
Mandatory Training Week
Hours worked with their assigned partner organization
Tigray Community of Oregon (TCOO) TCOO was established to unite the Tigray community of Oregon towards the common goals of uplifting the Tigray Community through charitable work in the areas of education, healthcare, nutrition and other basic needs within resource-limited areas in Africa and USA.
The charity’s focus is enabling communities to empower themselves by giving children access to education (Set-up Computer centers for orphanage and under served communities), renovate schools and provide educational supplies, provide basic needs (such as sanitary pads to school girls so they don’t miss schools). We also provide feeding programs to schools and elderly centers so that they get proper nutrition to stay healthy.
Triple Threat Mentoring Triple Threat Mentoring is a program that offers one-on-one and group mentoring to primarily Black and Brown girls living in North or Northeast Portland. Our program focuses on three areas: Attitude, Academics and Athletics. We offer leadership development, basketball instruction, life skills instruction, community responsibility, and parent advocacy and training to Middle School-12th grade participants. We are dedicated to the academic success and lifelong health of Portland’s underserved girls of color, supporting them in becoming well-rounded learners, exceptional athletes, and global citizens.
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Umoja Kijana Shujaa, Black & Beyond the Binary Collective Umoja Kijana Shujaa is a paid year-long leadership development cohort and program of Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. Umoja was created to further radicalize Black trans, queer, nonbinary, and intersex+ (TQNI+) youth 14-24 to combat white supremacy, criminalization, anti-blackness, and to advance Black liberation. Umoja youth will participate in responsive and collaborative community building throughout the summer and will walk away with a deep understanding of white supremacy, hands-on experience in community and civic engagement as well as community care practices to help to deal with the realities of moving throughout the world in a Black TQNI+ body.
Unify Portland- Youth Programs Unify Portland objectives are to unify marginalized communities, eliminate disparities of black and brown youth in the justice system, reduce the recidivism rates for black and brown youth, and reduce violence in demographical areas.
We do this by providing mentor services for the overrepresented black and brown youth in the Juvenile Justice system, and using basic restorative practices. We also focus on the whole child in hopes to get the youth to make better choices. We provide opportunity for these youth to have their voices heard, while providing an intentional sustainable relationship that will lead to youth making exceptional life changing choices.
UPLIFT, African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO) Founded in 2009, AYCO is a culturally specific, community-based nonprofit organization led by and for the East African immigrant and refugee community in the Portland Metropolitan Area. AYCO's mission is to settle the past, engage the present, and hope for the future.
Urban League of Portland- Youth Programs Our youth programs instill cultural pride and inspire young people to be the best versions of themselves. We provide Black and Brown middle-school students through young adults with academic and social support; career and college readiness; paid internships and workforce development; and tools on how to achieve and manage success.
Urban Wings and Aerospace Leadership Club Urban Wings & Aerospace Leadership Club is a supplemental education program for middle school and high school youngsters with the “greatest need.”
With aviation at its core, the program explores the holistic development of young people through hands-on learning strategies using applied mathematics, related STEM activities, and character development with a special focus on the Tuskegee Airmen: their courage, aviation prowess, perseverance, loyalty, education and leadership.
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W.I.S.E. and Youth Development Programs, The Blueprint Foundation-Portland chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc Empowering future generations by providing culturally responsive mentoring and experiential learning opportunities along various pathways so they can build their own futures and careers. Provides Black youth with access to workforce development that would complement their schoolwork and solidify their interest in careers of the future. Programs include:
The Grounding Waters and Constructing Careers- project-based mentoring initiatives aimed at fostering interest in environmental science and green building, and designed to inspire Black-identifying youth, grades 6-12, to pursue careers in the green sector
Sowing Seeds- a student-mentor luncheon program held on the third Friday of each month in Portland Public Schools (PPS) for Black-identified youth.
Salmon Watch- A flagship program of the World Salmon Council (WSC) provides quality environmental education and outdoor opportunities to more than 80,000 youth throughout Oregon and beyond over the past 30 years, prioritizing schools and students that have historically been underserved.
Tappin Roots- A 9 month long environmental leadership development internship program for Black-identified high school youth in the Portland Metro region (a culturally specific community investment and restorative justice project).
The Leach Back 5 Project- led by a collaborative effort alongside expertise from Portland Parks and Recreation, and dedicated volunteers, embarked on a multi-year endeavor to restore the eastern 5 acres of Leach Botanical Gardens.
The Connecting Canopies Initiative- unites BIPOC community members, private industry partners, and governmental representatives in a transformative effort to revolutionize tree planting and maintenance.
The Green Workforce Academy (GWA)- A transformative paid 5-week program designed for Black and Native-identified community members aged 18 to 25. For those who may not pursue higher education, the GWA offers a unique path to family-sustaining careers.
The Changes in the Air Program- By establishing robust, long-term data infrastructure, we empower BIPOC communities in Portland to take ownership and drive action in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Wild Diversity Youth Summer Camp Wild Diversity is a nonprofit organization that aims to help create a personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, all People of Color (BIPOC) & the LGBTQ2S+ communities, through outdoor adventures and education.
Our Youth Summer Camp supports youth in their discovery of nature, fostering a personal connection to the outdoors and creates a foundation for future stewards. We are activating youth’s sense of wonder for natural spaces and ecology. Youth will develop their own strategies to take care of this planet and identify ways to become better stewards.
Word is Bond Word is Bond is a Portland-born, Black-led nonprofit leadership incubator for young Black men sprouted in 2017. Word is Bond empowers young Black men ages 15-19 years as they transition from boys into young men and find themselves navigating a world that provides very few answers to unlocking their highest selves. Harnessing the soul force of Black boy joy and the power of storytelling we create dynamic programming to provide an answer to our mission statement.
World Stage Theatre World Stage Theatre is a multi-disciplinary, arts-integrated non-profit organization with a concentration on storytelling in literature, music, movement, monologue, traditional, new and original works. Through arts, education, and advocacy, we create platforms to amplify disregarded voices while building bridges of unity to disband isms.
World Stage Theatre is an incubator for new and emerging artists and is intentional about bringing together youth, and adult artists, and community partners to imagine a better world through art that advances change. Our projects engage artists, and the community in societal and personal transformation, giving expression to ideas and perspectives that are underrepresented in public dialogue.
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YouLead Oregon Internship Opportunities Salem, OR At YouLead Oregon, we are dedicated to empowering Salem-Keizer students to achieve academic excellence and explore their future careers. Our internship program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in various fields while enhancing their educational journey.
The Youth Development Committee, NAACP Salem-Keizer Salem, OR The Youth Development Committee:
supports all branch activities
stimulates interest through advocacy training and solicit membership of youth to forty years of age
creates a mentorship program (Branch to Young Adults and Young Adults to Youth) to serve as a support bridge from Youth and College to Branch participation
provides networking and social opportunities for young adults in the local community
encourage the participation of youth and young adults in all activities and leadership within the Branch.
Youth Empowerment Project PNW At YEPPNW, we partner with schools and communities to serve youth today, to ensure tomorrow’s success. Our mission is to engage and empower youth so that they can be active participants in their environment. We strive to help young people develop a strong sense of self, emotional awareness, self regulatory skills, and the resiliency needed to build successful lives.
Youth Organized and United to Help (Y.O.U.TH) The mission at Youth Organized and United to Help (Y.O.U.TH) is to motivate, inspire and empower youth, family and educators to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and by challenging existing systems and structures. Y.O.U.TH is disrupting the school to prison pipeline through our #BooksNotBarsOR programming. We use tutoring, advocacy, literacy, training and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion education to create awareness on the issues that cause the school to prison pipeline and what we can do to end it.
Youth Unlimited At Youth Unlimited, we serve youth with all sorts of stories and backgrounds. From youth of color to LGBTQ youth, our youth feel they belong. Our deep ties and experience in serving Oregon’s most marginalized communities fosters our ability to provide our youth with lasting, positive connections to their cultures and communities well into adulthood. Some of these opportunities for connection come through engagement in school social clubs, community sports teams, YUI fun annual events, including a back-to-school celebration and for hosting events for foster parent appreciation. (BIPOC-Centered)
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Zeta Youth Affiliates Leadership Academy The mission of the Youth Auxiliaries of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is to provide a carefully designed program of activities that will enhance youth club members through mind, body, and spirit as they work within their various communities to help others.
The purpose of Zeta Youth Affiliates Leadership Academy curriculum is designed to promote cultural awareness, social skills, provide educational enrichment, leadership development, and community services. The mission is to develop young leaders, raise consciousness in communities, and encourage creativity in education through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Pearlettes: Girls 4 to 8 years old who are mentored by ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to become outstanding leaders in their community.
Amicettes: Girls 9 to 13 years of age who are willing to strive toward the high ideals of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and who demonstrate potential for leadership in service to the community.
Archonettes: High school-aged young ladies who demonstrate an interest in the goals and the ideals of scholarship, sisterly love, and community service.