As it starts to get real cold, my thoughts go to neighbors who aren't as well-housed, well-fed or well-warmed.
I've long admired and supported the work of New Avenues for Youth, a local nonprofit that has impacted more than 30,000 young people as they work to overcome barriers and pursue their goals.
So I was glad to produce a promotional short encouraging Portlanders to volunteer with them this year. Everytime I do so, I leave with a warm smile.
I care about this community and so does my media.
New Avenues creates pathways out of homelessness through their comprehensive support services – offering everything from hot meals and shelter to education programs and career development. Their approach recognizes that young people don't just need a roof – they need genuine human connection and a community that believes in them.
For this project, I focused on capturing those authentic moments of connection between volunteers and youth. Rather than portraying young people as objects of charity, I intentionally highlighted the reciprocal relationships that form when community members show up consistently with care and respect.
The resulting 60-second video uses intimate cinematography, natural lighting, and unscripted interactions to convey the warmth that defines New Avenues' spaces. It's these moments – a shared laugh over a meal, the pride in completing a job application, the comfortable silence during a tutoring session – that demonstrate the real impact volunteers have.
And that impact resonates far beyond the walls of New Avenues. When young Portlanders experience genuine support during vulnerable moments, our entire community grows stronger.
