Some of the People Who Keep Us Going…

“I have had personal experience with the value of learning photography as a young person.  It helped me to develop an understanding of my relationship to my environment and an appreciation of the diversity in natural habitats, in my friends and neighbors, and in the cultures in my community.  I wholeheartedly endorse the mission of Focus on Youth , to empower at-risk youth through photography by providing creative outlets to experience their world in new ways and make positive change in their lives.” Bill Bradbury, former Oregon Secretary of State

Our Board of Directors

Donna Lee Holmes, Focus on Youth Founder/Executive Director

Jay Hager,  Manager Ricoh Corporation/Mentor

Sam Hutchison, Project Change, Mentor

Chris Poole Jones, Educational Consultant, June Key Delta Community Center

Kokila Mallikarjuna, Strategic Marketing, Nike

Brian McCauley, Umpqua Bank, 23rd Avenue Store Manager

Larry McDonald, Board President,  Trustee, Jakovina Trust

Leo Remington, Treasurer,  Photographer/Mentor

Shanti Villarreal, Secretary,  Project Manager, Xerox

“I absolutely love seeing a student’s face light up after being shown one of their own photographs. I love meeting the group every week; talking with the students not only about photography but also life.  I believe that through programs like Focus on Youth that we, as mentors, are helping promote student confidence, social equality in the schools and academic growth.  I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the student’s lives and this tremendous organization.  Thanks, Donna Lee for all your love and dedication!” Jenna Biggs, Artist & Focus on Youth Mentor

Our Advisory Committee

Our Advisory Committee members are individuals who offer their expertise and counseling to the board and actively provide support and advice on various issues.

Christopher Cabatabat, Photographer, Systems Analyst

Kelly Carver, Director of Operations, Frame Central

David Greenberg,  Consultant on Non-Profit Administration and Development

Tanya Hartnett, Baggallini

Eric Lester, CPA, Owner of Pearl Bakery

Linda Skeele, Broker, Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty Group

Gary Wilson, Gary Wilson Photography/Mentor

Doug Crouch, Doug Crouch Photography & Creative Solutions Web Design

“American Society of Media Photographers is impressed with Focus on Youth’s ability to bring at-risk youth and  volunteer mentors together.  They provide a learning experience  that supports curiosity, and determination while providing these young people with a place where their creativity can flourish.” Gary Wilson,  Mentor – Past Board President – Advisory Committee Member

Friends of Focus on Youth

The Friends of Focus on Youth are diverse members of the community who actively and informally encourage support for our efforts and the young people we seek to assist.

Jenna Biggs, Artist/Mentor

Jana Demartini, Artist/ Blackfish Gallery Member

Robert Dozono, Retired Arts Educator/ Artist/ Blackfish Gallery Member

Gregori Jakovina, The Jakovina Trust

Deka Jama, MD Internal Medicine

Tomas Svoboda, Pianist/Composer

 Our Institutional Supporters and Working Partners

American Society of Media Photographers • Autzen Foundation • Blackfish Gallery • Business for Culture and the Arts • Doug Crouch Photography • Earth2World Internet TV •  Frame Central • Digicraft • East Metro Community Media • Fred Meyer Foundation • Gann Printing • KBOO • KGW News Channel 8 • Mary McKinney and Flay Ezell Fund • McCoy Academy • New Avenues For Youth • Oregon Community Foundation • Outside In • The Pacific Northwest College of Art • Pearl Bakery • Plum Creek • Portland Metropolitan Photographers Association • Portland Youth Builders • ProPhoto Supply • Q Center • Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust • Safeway Foundation • Spirit Mountain Community Fund • The Standard • Templeton Foundation, , Umpqua Bank • Wentworth Foundation • Wildwood Restaurant.

“When my husband and I retired to Portland in 2003, we started looking for programs we could support that used the arts to have a positive impact on the lives of young people, particularly young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to access to any sort of art education. We found a number of prospects and have supported several of them over the years, but Focus on Youth won our hearts for its return on investment – making a maximum impact with minimal resources. And while our financial support has increased over those years, we’ve also been making increasing contributions of something more valuable to us than money… our time. And every minute has been well spent.” Larry McDonald, Board Member

Diversity is the cornerstone of Focus on Youth and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals are valued and respected.  Our organization seeks to serve a racially diverse spectrum of low-income families, and we strive for a  board composition that is racially and ethnically diverse.  Focus on Youth maintains a policy of electing individuals to the Board of Directors on a basis of their merit without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, political opinion, national origin, familial status, mental and physical disability, gender identity, and source of income or disability status. It is assured that this commitment to equal treatment applies to all aspects of Board membership and our team of volunteers.