New Pathways for Youth Celebrates Growth, Achievement, and Community at End of Year Celebration 

New Pathways for Youth graduate celebrates academic achievement with a mentor during a graduation recognition event.

Phoenix, AZ — May 20, 2026

We proudly hosted its annual End of Year Celebration. The event brought together youth, mentors, caregivers, and community partners to honor a year defined by growth, connection, and meaningful achievement across its Level Up program. 

At the heart of New Pathways’ mission is a belief that every young person deserves to live their life with joy and purpose, confident in their ability to decide their own path. The End of Year Celebration was a living expression of that belief — a day that recognized not just accomplishments, but the relationships, resilience, and community investment that make those accomplishments possible. 

Celebrating Excellence and Achievement 

The celebration began, following a Saturday Power Up session, with a Program Recognition Ceremony featuring the first-ever Level Up Program Awards. These awards honored youth, mentors, and matches who embodied New Pathways for Youth’s core values of commitment, resilience, and leadership — the very qualities that prepare young people to shape their own futures. 

Award recipients included: 

  • Academic Achievement Award: Jayline B. and Leiandros Q.  
  • Rising Star Award: Zayvion T., Kevin M., Gricel V., Angela S., Stephen M.  
  • Dynamic Trio Award: Miguel L., Brandon C, and Jose Ortiz  
  • Community Impact Award: Emma A. and Kasia Bishop  
  • Most Inspirational Match Award: Daniel L. and Ernie Seanez  
  • Leadership Award: Valery E.  
  • NPFY Champion Award: Karen Quick  
  • Year-Long Goal MVP Awards: Adolfo M. & Ian Whitmore; Xitlaly H. & Kelly Lusk  
  • Caregivers Circle MVP Award: Reyna Valadez 

These recognitions reflect the wide range of ways youth and mentors engaged in growth, relationship-building, and goal achievement throughout the year — each one a story of a caring adult showing up consistently for a young person, and a young person rising to meet that investment. 

Honoring Graduates and Investing in the Future 

A heartfelt Senior Spotlight celebrated graduating youth as they transition into young adulthood — a milestone that speaks directly to New Pathways’ commitment to walking alongside young people not just through a program year, but through the pivotal moments that define their futures. Each graduate was recognized for their next steps, accomplishments, and perseverance, with personalized recognition honoring the unique path they have chosen. 

Reinforcing its long-term investment in postsecondary success, New Pathways for Youth also recognized scholarship recipients whose dedication to academic excellence reflects exactly the kind of agency and determination New Pathways works to build: 

Level Up Scholarships (up to $2,000 per year, for up to two years): 

  • First-year recipients: Katelynn B., Leiandros Q., Miguel S., Victor S., Xitlaly H. 
  • Second-year recipients: Gricel V. and Khia W. 

Dew Family Scholarship ($25,000 over a 4-year period): 

  • First-year recipient: Jayline Bustos 
  • Second-year recipient: Maurice Sangura 

Lanitra S. Lewis & HL Woodberry Scholarship (one-time $5,000): 

  • Recipient: Cecilia Mendez 

Chris Yakscoe Scholarship (one-time $6,000 for trade or technical career): 

  • Recipient: Yesenia Ovalle 

These scholarships are awarded exclusively to youth who have been part of the New Pathways for Youth program and have remained committed, engaged, and academically excellent — a testament to what becomes possible when young people are surrounded by the right support and believe in their own ability to succeed. 

Connecting Youth to Opportunity 

Following the ceremony, the event transitioned into a dynamic Community Resource Fair — a tangible expression of New Pathways’ mission to create access to opportunity and connect youth and families to the broader systems of support that help them thrive. 

Participating partners included: Advance Community, Aliento, APC College, Boys & Girls Club of the Valley, Youthforce, Sana Family Services, Access ASU, Be A Leader Foundation, City of Phoenix Aviation Department, Chicanos Por La Causa, Community Comadres, College Depot, Desert Financial Credit Union, Discount Tire, Mi Familia en Acción, Phoenix Zoo, Spectrum Medical Care Center, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, United Healthcare, Universal Technical Institute (UTI), and Valle del Sol. 

Together, these organizations offered pathways to college, workforce opportunities, and community-based services — extending New Pathways for Youth’s vision beyond the program year and into the real-world opportunities that shape long-term futures. 

A Celebration of Community 

New Pathways’ approach to youth development has always been comprehensive — recognizing that young people flourish when the entire ecosystem around them is engaged and supported. The End of Year Celebration reflected this vision in every detail: youth Power Up sessions, caregiver engagement opportunities, recognition ceremonies, and resource connections designed to support not just individual youth, but their families and communities. 

A Celebration of Transformation 

“The End of Year Celebration is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are supported by caring adults and a strong community,” said Karen Johnson, CEO and President of New Pathways for Youth. “We are incredibly proud of our youth for the resilience, leadership, and growth they’ve demonstrated this year. This event not only celebrates their achievements — it reinforces our shared commitment to expanding opportunity and helping every young person build a future they believe in.” 

From recognition to connection, the End of Year Celebration embodied the heart of New Pathways for Youth’s mission: building lasting relationships, creating access to opportunity, and empowering youth to reach their full potential — transforming lives by providing the support, stability, and skills every young person needs to flourish in their community and family, and to live with joy, purpose, and the confidence to decide their own path.