Programs and Curriculum Highlights from New Pathways for Youth

Phoenix, AZ | September 23, 2026.

As we move into fall, New Pathways for Youth is continuing to grow and strengthen the programs and curriculum that support young people in building confidence, life skills, emotional awareness, and meaningful relationships with caring adults. 

This season’s work reflects our continued commitment to trauma-informed youth development, site-based mentoring, and learning experiences that meet youth and mentors where they are. Across our programs, we are expanding opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and discover new possibilities for their future. 

Expanding Into the West Valley, Powered by Mentors 

Interest in our Level Up program continues to grow, and with the recent expansion of our service area into the West Valley, we’re excited to connect even more young people with the support, encouragement, and opportunities they deserve. At the heart of this work are our mentors, caring adults who make a lasting difference simply by showing up, listening, and investing their time in a young person’s journey. If you’ve been considering becoming a mentor, we invite you to visit our website and get started. Thanks to recent innovations in the Level Up experience, mentoring is more accessible, flexible, and impactful than ever before. There is truly nothing more rewarding than being there for a young person who deserves someone in their corner.  

Launching Our Level Up Community Year-Long Goal Sessions 

This September, we’re excited to launch our new Community Year-Long Goal Sessions, a twice-yearly experience that brings Level Up youth and mentors together to set meaningful goals and create a shared roadmap for the next six months. We recognize that our community holds a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and strengths, and these sessions are designed to harness that collective wisdom in support of each match’s growth. By creating an intentional space for reflection, planning, and connection, we hope to empower youth and mentors to identify their aspirations, take actionable steps toward them, and celebrate progress together throughout the year. 

Level Up Academy Continues this Fall 

One of the key programs updates this fall is the launch of a new semester of Level Up Academy, our site-based mentoring experience that brings together students, facilitators, and volunteer mentors in a supportive group mentoring environment. Built on NPFY’s trauma-informed curriculum, this 10-week program helps youth strengthen leadership skills, build emotional awareness, set goals, and develop confidence while connecting with caring adults who believe in their potential. 

Through weekly sessions, youth engage in guided learning, reflection, and mentorship activities designed to help them explore identity, strengthen decision-making, and develop tools they can carry into school, relationships, and future goals. Level Up Academy also gives mentors a meaningful way to experience the power of mentorship through a shorter-term program model.  

Expanding trauma-informed learning beyond traditional learning environments 

Our Training & Curriculum team continues to develop new ways to deliver developmental experiences rooted in NPFY’s trauma-informed approach. A major area of growth is launching Rise & Thrive, a new four-day camp-like model. Designed to bridge school breaks with meaningful learning, personal growth, and community connection, Rise & Thrive adapts NPFY’s curriculum for new environments and community partnerships. 

This model allows youth to continue building skills during out-of-school time that support belonging, self-awareness, and resilience. As the pilot continues, the team is learning and refining the model, strengthening facilitation, and exploring how Rise & Thrive can serve more youth through collaborations with schools, community organizations, and youth-serving agencies. To explore partnering and/or enrolling youth in our Rise & Thrive program, please contact our team at [email protected]. 

Our Continued Commitment to Youth Success

Together, these curriculum and program updates reflect NPFY’s ongoing commitment to helping young people build the skills, relationships, and confidence they need to thrive.  

“I am incredibly proud of our Programs team and their unwavering commitment to expanding access, deepening support, and creating equitable opportunities for youth, mentors, and families across our community. These innovations reflect our belief that people deserve meaningful support at every stage of their journey, and we’re excited to continue building experiences that ensure every participant feels seen, cared for, and connected. At the heart of it all is our community, whose strengths, resilience, and potential inspire our work every day.” 

– Vanesa Contreras Rodríguez, Vice President of Programs & Chief Impact Officer 

From site-based mentoring to new camp-like models, each effort is designed to expand access to trauma-informed youth development services and support. 

This year, we are focused on strengthening the learning experiences that support youth directly and give them the tools to walk alongside trusted mentors with care, joy, and purpose.