OUR PROGRAMS
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Highland Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA)
Manager: Donya Frazier
HYLA emerged from the foundation laid by the "Coaching Boys into Men" program, aiming to provide essential mentorship to underprivileged and marginalized individuals, facilitating their transition into productive citizenship. Within the program, young men, referred to as Ambassadors, engage in comprehensive learning experiences encompassing effective communication, combatting bullying and cyberbullying, fostering self-discipline, seizing the initiative, making healthy lifestyle choices, nurturing respect, and fostering historical and cultural awareness. Recognizing the urgent need, HYLA endeavors to extend its reach to include young women. In today's societal landscape, young women face significant pressures to conform to societal norms that prioritize financial gain and fame, often at the expense of dignity and self-worth. Portland's Violence and Prevention Office has identified this as a pressing challenge, with youth increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, including the grave threat of human trafficking. In response, HYLA is dedicated to instilling values of respect, dignity, cultural pride, and self-esteem among all participants. Our program emphasizes the significance of higher education, financial independence, and entrepreneurial spirit. We aim to cultivate an environment that empowers young women and men to thrive in our society, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential.
Highland Access, Reentry and Recovery Program (HARRP)
Manager: Larry Johnson
HARRP is a culturally specific program offering certified peer support to formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, with the overarching goals of enhancing public safety, fostering community awareness, and empowering families. While our program focuses on serving African Americans and other people of color, we welcome anyone, regardless of race, creed, cultural background, lifestyle, or sexual orientation. Our services include:
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Peer mentoring,
Housing and job referrals,
In-prison education initiatives
Support for the children and families of those who are incarcerated.
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Our objectives are clear: to facilitate successful reintegration into society for individuals in recovery and transitioning from incarceration, facilitate reunification with loved ones, and foster a commitment to sobriety and lawful living. We serve individuals within the Portland Tri-County Area and Marion and Clark Counties.
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For more information, contact
Larry Johnson at LJohnson@thehighlandhaven.org or call (503) 765-6383
Providers: To refer a client, please complete
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Highland Youth Project Empowerment (HYPE)
Manager: Desire Jones
HYPE is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the youth through a robust entrepreneurship program that exposes them to various sectors within the field and empowers them to explore their own entrepreneurial pathways through hands-on projects and partnerships with professional entrepreneurs and business Owners. Through initiatives like the Highland Haven Café, operated by youths, participants gain invaluable experience in management, leadership, accountability, and business practices. We aim to cultivate increased educational awareness and business acumen among our youth, empowering them to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors with confidence and determination. HYPE endeavors to instill a culture of innovation, initiative, and success, preparing our youth for meaningful contributions in the business world and beyond.
Johnson Family Scholarship Program
Manager: Aisha Holland
The Johnson Family Memorial Scholarship provides educational opportunities to promising students from historically underserved and distressed Portland communities seeking higher education through financial and advisory support. The program was established in honor of the late Rev. Sam Johnson Sr., Mother Opal Johnson and Dr. Richard Johnson to commemorate their legacy of educational advocacy and support for the underprivileged. We offer incentives for academic excellence and recognize key milestones such as middle school promotions and high school and college graduations to increase high school and college graduation success rates. Through annual banquets and fundraising efforts, we strive to generate the necessary funds to sustain this invaluable scholarship program. We are continuously seeking individuals, small businesses and corporates to partner with us in delivering our mission to advance higher education and transform historically underserved BIPOC communities. Our collective commitment to education serves as a catalyst for empowering our young adults and transforming their trajectories towards a brighter future.
N.U. HEALTH AND WELLNESS
NU Health and Wellness represents the unified efforts of N.U. HEALTH AND WELLNESS and the former Highland Youth African American Community Coalition (HYAACC). This merger reflects our shared acknowledgment of the interconnection between chronic diseases and the promotion of health. By joining forces, our programs strive to confront the persistent health disparities and inequities prevalent in the communities we serve. Through the collaborative efforts of our African American Youth Community Coalition and community health workers, we aim to cultivate a thriving community rooted in collaboration, prevention, education, advocacy, and networking among African American youth, families, and stakeholders. As a collective, we are dedicated to addressing issues related to alcohol and drug use among African American youth, leveraging the expertise and engagement of our diverse membership, which includes students, researchers, professionals, educators, development workers, and active community participants.