425 Supporters Gather for P:earblossom’s 2015 Benefit

Portland, April 25th, 2015. The annual fundraiser called p:earblossoms 2015 “perspectives” raised $234,000 to to support p:ear’s unique mentoring programs for homeless youth. Performers Laura Gibson, Linda Austion and Kaj-anne Pepper entertained the crowd at the Leftbank Annex. (Photo credit, Alicia J Rose Photography) P:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful  lives. Located on the corner of NW 6^th and Flanders, p:ear has worked with these valuable youth for 13 years. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was the honorary chair of the event.

From P:ear:

p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives. Each year our programs serve almost 900 homeless and transitional young people ages 15 to 24.

P:EAR STRENGTHENS LIVES

To truly exit homelessness, kids must develop the internal strength, skills and foresight to make healthy choices. p:ear provides a safe, non-judgmental environment in which youth are trusted to outgrow unproductive and harmful behaviors. We offer individualized mentoring and education programs in a safe, reliable setting designed to foster trust, build self-esteem and to teach homeless and transitional kids – who all too often are regarded by society as disposable, “hopeless cases” – that they are valuable individuals with a future who have something vital to contribute to this community.

p:ear staff and volunteers serve as mentors, friends, and role models, while p:ear’s unique programs create opportunities for young people to grow intellectually, express themselves constructively, communicate in positive ways and engage in meaningful interactions with the larger community of Portland. This is not work that can be accomplished in the short-term. These are relationships based on trust that take years to cultivate and require enormous dedication to sustain.

We are committed to being there for p:ear youth over the long-haul to share failures and successes, mundane events as well as life-altering milestones.

p:ear mentors youth through education, art and recreation. Learn more about p:ear programshere.

Make a difference in the lives of p:ear youth: volunteer or make a gift. p:ear is a 501(c)(3) organization and gifts are tax-deductible. p:ear’s tax ID/EIN is 93-1327944.