Mentors who stay: Elevate Oregon and Portland Parks & Recreation

It's afternoon at Parkrose High School in East Portland. The mentor pauses. The class leans in. "You can do it," she says with certainty. "I'm going to prove to you that you can."

For 13 years in the Parkrose School District, Elevate Oregon teacher-mentors have shown up for students in and out of the classroom. They build long-term relationships with kids to promote education, self-reliance, and achievement. In partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation's Teen Collaborative Initiative, Elevate Oregon recently expanded beyond Parkrose into the David Douglas and Reynolds districts. More students. More support. More wins.

The work is culturally responsive, focused, and empowering for kids. Teacher-mentors share their experience and learning on how they overcame barriers in school and in life that students now face. School feels easier to manage and futures are easier to see.

Last spring at Parkrose, every Elevate Oregon senior graduated on time for the fourth year in a row. Many shared plans for after high school, from college commitments and scholarships to trade programs and jobs. The partnership connected students with the City of Portland through job fairs and referrals, helping 15 students summer jobs with their local government.

Alongside PP&R and other community partners, Elevate Oregon linked students to new places and people, including a mountain-bike day at Gateway Green with Friends of Gateway Green and Northwest Trail Alliance, and the Girls L.E.A.D. softball and leadership camp in collaboration with Friends of Baseball. Women mentors led the sessions, and students took part in career exploration with women guest speakers on leadership.

The year closes the way many afternoons begin. The teacher-mentor faces a room of possibilities. "Alright," he says, "Let's get started."