About Us

New Avenues for Youth is a Portland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and intervention of youth homelessness. Our services for young people (ages 9-24) focus on the individual—their experiences, identities, needs, and goals—and helping them make positive change in their lives.

Our Story

New Avenues’ founding in 1997 was a response to the growing numbers of youth experiencing homelessness in downtown Portland. While intervention on street homelessness remains central to our efforts, prevention—or reaching young people earlier to stop homelessness before it starts—is increasingly a strategic focus for us. In fact, more than half of our budget is devoted to it. And for good reason: gentrification, historical and institutional racism, rising housing costs, and the COVID-19 pandemic have displaced, marginalized, and isolated low-income and BIPOC communities in the region, with housing instability and homelessness on the rise.

From meals and counseling to job training and housing, our equity-based services address the many barriers to stability and well-being that young people face. Each and every day, we show up in compassionate, creative ways, ensuring that they always have a place to turn.

Our Milestones

2022

The Living Room joins New Avenues, expanding support for LGBTQIA2S+ youth into Clackamas County.

2020

New Avenues launches the Alba Collaborative, a partnership between New Avenues, Latino Network, Youth Progress, National Safe Place Network, and Multnomah County that offers 24/7 Services for anyone 9-17 years old.

2018

New Avenues opens its Youth Opportunity Center in East Multnomah County, New Meadows housing program for youth formerly in or transitioning from foster care, and New Day program for youth survivors of sex trafficking.

2017

New Avenues opens Robinswood, a crisis shelter for youth in foster care awaiting placement.

2015

The Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) joins New Avenues, which also opens Unity House, the first housing program in Oregon for LGBTQIA2S+ youth.