News and Events

Kayak Trip

  • “For the second year in a row, New Avenues for Youth was lucky to be chosen to take part in a Life Expanding Adventure Program (LEAP) kayak trip down the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. The ten youth who participated were a fantastic and brave group of young men and women, and the trip was an amazing success. Everyone was given their own inflatable kayak to maneuver down the river, and for the next three days we slept under the stars, paddled through class four rapids, and conquered over 40 miles of river. We saw bears, eagles, river otters and bats! The youths’ enthusiasm and joy was overwhelming. They were invited to reflect upon the river as a metaphor for all of life’s challenges. We believe this trip can be a catalyst for youth to understand that they have the ability to overcome tremendous barriers and become stronger individuals.

    Aside from the trip itself, the way in which we were able to make it happen was also inspiring. When it became clear that there may not be enough funding to cover the trip’s staffing costs, two staff who had previously attended the trip were so convinced of the transformative power of this experience that they reached out to their friends and family and raised the needed funds. Dozens of people gave small and large amounts to insure that this opportunity was given to the youth that New Avenues serves. We are so grateful for their donations! In the short time since the trip finished, we have already seen the youth who participated make great strides towards their goals. We hope this trip is an opportunity we can provide to youth every year.”

    -Narrative by Transitional Housing Coordinator Leah Breen and Transitional Housing Counselor Crystal Lewis

    Annual Comedy Showcase

  • Our 11th Annual Comedy Showcase, which took place on October 25, was an amazing success this year, bringing in over $400,000 for our programs. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us at our largest fundraiser of the year! The work we do wouldn't be possible without you.

    Special thanks to this year's comedy showcase sponsors: Howard S. Wright Construction Company, Nike, Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty Group, Legacy Healthy, Lucky Limousine, Fred Meyer, Chase Bank, KeyBank, Regence, Flir, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, the Bewick family, KGW, TMT Development, Beecher Carlson, R&H Construction, The Greenbrier Companies, First Republic Bank, Hotel Modera, the Grand Cru Estates, Curtis Trailers, Pacific Talent Inc., the Begonia Charitable Foundation, and the Pete and Christine Nickerson Family.


    • Youth Film Project

  • Six youth who get services from New Avenues recently participated in an intensive week-long film production workshop, where they learned how to operate professional film and audio equipment. They used the skills gained to conceptualize and create their own short documentary style film about their experiences with homelessness and New Avenues for Youth. Check it out!



  • Brews for New Avenues

    Our Ambassador Board's new signature event, Brews for New Avenues, took place on October 13 and attracted over 500 beer enthusiasts! It was a great time, and we raised $17,000 for our programs!
    Brews for New Avenues