Blog: 2023 was a year to remember

As we close out another incredible year of transforming lives, we’re looking back at some of the moments that made this year extra special.

A record amount was raised at the Stories of Transformation Breakfast

In March, our community came together to raise $510,00 to contintue to fund our mission. Several youth spoke as part of a panel and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego addressed the room of over 500 supporters.

The Birth of Level Up

In June, we gave our signature teen program a name – Level Up! “We hope that Level Up speaks to our youth as something they can own and take pride in,” said Karen D. Johnson, Ph.D., President & CEO of New Pathways for Youth. “We know that Level Up will help even more youth reach their full potential, and we’re excited to see its growth.”  

Preparing Youth for Success

This summer, several of our teens participated in a workforce development program with DPR Construction, a longtime partner of NPFY. Each youth was matched with a DPR mentor, who they got to shadow and learn from throughout the program. They learned about all of the different careers available within construction, built their resumes, and learned valuable presentation skills. Once they finished the program, they got to show off their skills by presenting to DPR’s leadership team.

Opening the Door to Higher Education

This year we launched the New Pathways for Youth Level Up Scholarship Fund. We were able to provide extra financial support to teens so they can continue their academic journey and pursue 4-year or 2-year college or trade school programs. In addition to tuition costs, the scholarships can be used for living expenses, housing, books and computers, transportation, and other necessary expenses.

This year, we awarded scholarships to eight youth in our program, who qualified based on both need and academic promise. We hosted a breakfast on August 16th to honor these eight incredible youth. We are thrilled to be able to watch them continue to reach for their dreams

Level Up Academy: Learn. Explore. Thrive.

For the first time ever, New Pathways delivered our curriculum in a school setting, bringing the Level Up Academy to Camelback High School students this past September.

This semester-long course incorporates our research-based curriculum, designed to help teens develop the skills and mindsets they need to succeed in high school and beyond. Students learned how to think critically, solve problems creatively, and take ownership of their learning. They also explored topics such as goal setting, time management, and stress management.

To everyone who was a part of all these incredible successes (and many more), thank you. We couldn’t do the things we do every day without the support of our incredible community. Here’s to 2024!