Push Movement is an organization that promotes holistic, youth and peer-to-peer based pathways to recovery – built from the culture of skateboarding and open to individuals in all stages of change. We provide movement-based, one-on-one youth support and outreach for historically underserved populations in the Portland Metro area. We currently work with 165 youth participants monthly, with the numbers growing. This program is being offered to assist houseless youth in their recovery journey through the lens of skateboarding.

We will use the funds to help with equipment, travel and rental costs for our current programming. We are currently working in partnership with culturally specific youth organizations to provide safe, peer run spaces for their underserved participants. Our partnerships exist with the Harmony Academy (a place that provides a safe, sober and supportive gold standard in education for youth in recovery) and P:ear (a place of self-discovery and resilient young people moving through and beyond homelessness). We plan to expand our programming and scope of work in 2023 to include partnerships with Outside In, Portland Public Schools and Centennial School District. If given this grant opportunity we would be able to cultivate a sense of community and responsibility for youth in the recovery world, while providing a space for them to learn and grow.