Empowering Youth Through Photography

June 17, 2008

Focus on Youth empowers at-risk teens through photography by bringing them together with mentors to experience their world in new ways. We are a non-profit mentor project that teaches photography to at-risk inner city teens from diverse cultures, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Professional and hobbyist photographers volunteer as adult mentors, sharing their expertise, skills and enthusiasm with students.

Hands-On Learning
Photography workshops help youth to acquire the ability to communicate and impact their community in positive ways. Exhibits offer at-risk youth the opportunity to educate the public about their unique perspective. The result is an exciting collection images, public exhibits and a beautiful photography book titled, “Through Their Eyes”.

The Power of Sharing
Disadvantaged youth work side-by-side with mentors learning to operate a camera, develop film and print quality black & white photographs. In the process students learn to establish goals, acquire confidence and build good self-esteem. To learn more about volunteering to be a mentor click here.Partners with the Community

Focus on Youth partners with social service agencies such as New Avenues For Youth, Outside In and the Portland International Community School. Our students are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, teen parents who are pregnant or parenting, and homeless youth, many with limited English skills.