New Pathways for Youth Awarded $25,000 from Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Grant to Support Their LEVEL UP program
(PHOENIX – Sept. 17, 2025) – Mercy Care has awarded New Pathways for Youth a 2025 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $25,000. The grant will support NPFY’s signature teen program, LEVEL UP, continuing their 35-year mission to empower youth to build joyful, purposeful lives and confidently shape their own futures.
“The Level Up program provides one-on-one mentoring with a dedicated adult and a proven model for personal growth, offering tailored goal setting, access to vital resources, and a supportive peer community,” said Karen Johnson, Ph.D., CEO of NPFY.
The organization also supports youth in the classroom through Level Up Academy and offers scholarships and enrichment opportunities that help youth break the cycle of poverty, uplifting their families and communities in the process.
“Mercy Care’s support directly advances the outcomes we’re proud to deliver,” said Johnson. “Currently, 95% of the youth in our program graduate from high school, and 80% go on to pursue college or career pathways, many of whom are the first in their families to do so.”
Mercy Care, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2025, partners with organizations across Arizona that advance health equity and address social risk factors to improve health outcomes. Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy Care has invested over $38 million in community reinvestment projects that help manage chronic conditions; support mental health and well-being; address housing security; and empower recovery from substance use.
“Mercy Care supports the Level Up program because it provides critical mental health support and mentorship to low-income youth, helping them build the skills, resources, and mindsets needed to thrive in high school and beyond,” explained Trisha Stuart, director of community relations at Mercy Care.
About New Pathways for Youth
At New Pathways for Youth, we are building a future where every young person can live their life with joy and purpose, confident in their ability to decide their own path. To make it happen, we are transforming the lives of youth by providing the support, stability, and skills they and their families need to flourish. Learn more at npfy.org
About Mercy Care
Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.