2026 Spring Break Youth Safety Initiative Recipients

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Background

The 2026 Spring Break Youth Safety Initiative Sponsorship is an opportunity to help prevent and reduce violence: principally, gun violence through collaborative community-based prevention efforts. The sponsorship prioritizes the following Portland neighborhoods known for high rates of violent incidents and gun violence.

Applicants supporting efforts in all Portland neighborhoods were encouraged to apply.

The Portland Office of Violence Prevention received 44 applications for the $180,000 sponsorship and was unable to award funds to many organizations doing important gun violence prevention work in the community. A selection committee reviewed each application.

The following organizations received $15,000 to help reduce gun violence through community-based prevention efforts:

According to his Word Outreach, Back to the Basics-Building Resilience Youth Program

Program Summary: Through mentorship, environmental education, and community service in local parks, this initiative empowers youth to reconnect with their environment, learn climate resilience, and build strong, positive relationships with mentors and peers. The Back to Basic Youth Program will serve 20 at-risk youth, ages 13-18, identified through schools, community referrals, and family recommendations. Over the course of one-week, participating youth will: Learn about local park history and understand how community spaces have supported Portland residents across generations. Youth will also have the opportunity to engage in environmental education, including hands-on sessions in tree planting, learn about the impact of environmental health on community well-being and participate in mentorship sessions.

Afghan Support Network, Spring Break Peace Lab: Youth Violence Prevention Through Creative Expression

Program Summary: The Spring Break Youth Peace & Violence Prevention Initiative is a four to five day, trauma-informed prevention program serving Multnomah County youth ages 11-19 during Spring Break (March 25-29, 2026), coinciding with Nowruz and Eid-al-Fitr celebrations between 19th to 24th March. Right after Eid holidays, Youth will engage in mentoring, skill-building, and a dedicated conflict resolution and violence prevention workshop. Through screen-printing, participants will create anti-violence messages and positive identity designs which would also be shared at ASN's Grand Nowruz & Eid Celebration (March 29, 2026). Youth will attend the event, promoting nonviolence, cultural pride, and community belonging while strengthening protective factors and reducing high-risk unstructured time.

Black Men in Training, BMIT-Spring Break Dance and Boxing Camp

Program Summary: Black Men In Training (BMIT) will run a 4-day Spring Break Camp designed to promote confidence, wellness, and positive peer engagement. The first three days will feature skill-building and enrichment activities: a Dance Camp for girls focused on creativity, self-expression, teamwork, and confidence-building; and a Boxing & Fitness Camp for boys centered on discipline, physical fitness, emotional regulation, and self-control. Both tracks will emphasize leadership, respect, and healthy lifestyle habits in a safe, supportive environment led by trained mentors. On the fourth day, all participants will attend a full-day field trip that provides a fun, enriching experience and strengthens community bonds. Meals and mentorship will be provided daily.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area (BGCP), Boys and Girls Clubs Spring Break 2026

Program Summary: During March 23rd-26th, BGCP will provide free programming at our four Portland Club sites for up to 100 youth ages 11-18, Monday-Thursday from 12:00-5:30pm. Youth will receive one free meal daily (approximately 400 meals total) and participate in structured activities including basketball, volleyball, and gym tournaments; STEAM and creative projects; cooking and art activities; leadership and life-skills workshops; and supervised game room and e-sports time. Trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship and foster positive peer connections throughout the day. By offering safe, engaging programming during spring break, we strengthen protective factors and reduce youth exposure to community violence.

DC RingZ LLC, DC Mindset

Program Summary: DC RingZ LLC, through its youth initiative DC Mindset, will host the Spring Break Glass Art & Financial Literacy Youth Safety Lab for BIPOC youth ages 11-19 in Multnomah County. During March 22-30 at DC Studio, youth will design and create fused glass rings and art while learning real-world financial skills. Each day blends hands-on glass work with mentoring on costs, pricing, profit, and reinvestment, offering positive alternatives to street economies. The program keeps youth safely engaged, builds supportive relationships, and helps them see their creativity and discipline as a path to income and a future without violence.

Dream Big City, Dream Big Spring Break Initiative

Program Summary: Dream Big City will host 3 Spring Break events for youth ages 11-19 at Portland Dream Plaza, Parklane Park, and Going Home 2. Each event will provide a safe, supervised, drug and alcohol-free environment with basketball, skateboarding, live DJ, free meals, prizes, and motivational speakers. Youth will connect with mentors, credible messengers, and community partners to build protective factors and reduce exposure to violence. Partner agencies including The Peer Company, 4D Recovery, and Going Home 2 will assist with outreach and programming. These events provide structured, positive engagement during a high-risk, unstructured period for youth.

Elevate Oregon, Elevate Oregon Spring Break Initiative

Program Description: Elevate Oregon's Spring Break Initiative includes a week-long program at Parkrose Middle School featuring a movie day, followed by journaling for reflection. Programming will also include a field day of races and obstacle courses, as well as a Tech and STEAM Day with community partners. The final day of programming focuses on Elevate Oregon's 13 Character Qualities through trivia, games, and homemade thank you cards. Elevate Oregon is also partnering with the David Douglas School District for a week-long 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about sports careers and the State of Oregon's Police and Fish and Wildlife departments. After the STEAM activity day, students will go on a field trip to the Wunderland Arcade to celebrate and enjoy safe recreation with their peers.

Friends of Baseball, Full Count Spring Swing

Program Summary: Friends of Baseball's Full Count Program will host Spring Swing: Sports, Skills & Safety Week. This is a week-long, full day program during Portland Public Schools' Spring Break that blends athletic engagement, and community safety for youth ages 8-16 in East Portland. The program combines baseball/softball instruction, leadership development, and community safety workshops in a fun, supportive environment. Each day includes physical activity, team-building, and guest speakers focused on violence prevention, and wellness. Programming is trauma-informed and designed to serve all Portlanders who face barriers to safe, engaging out-of-school opportunities. By partnering with trusted community partners for volunteers, the program provides a safe space for youth to build skills, confidence, and connection during a high-risk time. The goal is to keep youth active, supported, and connected by reducing vulnerability to violence and increasing a sense of belonging in their community.

Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Creative Healing & Restorative Justice Spring Break Camp

Program Summary: The Creative Healing & Restorative Justice Camp is a four-day spring break program serving up to 20 youth ages 13-18 impacted by violence, trauma, or community harm. Rooted in restorative justice and creative arts, the camp provides a safe space for youth to explore identity, belonging, and nonviolent conflict resolution. Participants engage in restorative circles, storytelling workshops led by filmmaker Vu Pham, and collaborative creative expression including spoken word and visual arts. The program strengthens protective factors, builds leadership, and equips youth with tools for healing, connection, and violence prevention.

Play Grow Learn LLC, Spring Break Violence Prevention/Gun Violence Reduction Initiative

Program Summary: Play Grow Learn will implement primary prevention programming serving 100 youth ages 11-19 at our 139th & Stark location in East Portland. Using evidence-based practices, the program will reduce risk factors and increase protective factors through daily half-day programming that combines nutritious meals, agricultural education, workforce development, conflict resolution training, and trauma-informed mentorship. The program serves Hazelwood youth at high risk of violence exposure in a neighborhood that experienced 80 shooting incidents in 2024, the highest of any Portland neighborhood, providing safe alternatives during this critical gap in school supervision.

Push Movement, Push Movement Spring Break Programming

Program Summary: Push Movement's program creates a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for students during a time when many young people face increased exposure to violence, unsafe spaces, and substance use. Operating daily throughout spring break, the program combines skateboarding, art-making, and mentorship to offer structure, purpose, and positive community connection. Youth participate in guided skate sessions that build confidence, physical health, and resilience, alongside creative art workshops that encourage self-expression and emotional processing. Trusted mentors and staff provide consistent adult support, conflict de-escalation, and positive role modeling. By centering movement, creativity, and belonging, the program offers healthy alternatives to risky situations, strengthens peer relationships, and helps young people develop coping skills, confidence, and a sense of safety.

The STREAM~N Network, STREAM~N Team Youth Service-Learning Program with Career Pathways

Program Summary: The STREAM~N Team program for youth ages 15-19 combines workforce development and educational opportunities focused on environmental service. Activities during Spring Break will include at-risk teens from Portland working with expert staff from Portland Parks & Recreation, Leach Botanical Garden, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, NextGen Connect Center, Project LEDO and other partners to improve the environment while having fun and building positive community. Youth will enjoy a sense of belonging and develop a variety of leadership, resilience, interpersonal and STEAM skills (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).