Transitional Youth Changes Lives

What is Transitional Youth?                                                                              

A non-profit organization created to bring direct meaningful assistance to homeless youth in our area. Inspired by the desperate needs of kids living on the streets of Portland, Transitional Youth was founded by Bert E. Waugh, Jr., President of Prudential Northwest Properties. Every day there are hundreds of homeless youth living on the streets. Most are from the greater Portland and Southwest Washington areas. The majority of street youth have suffered from abuse before leaving home, and many have been literally abandoned by their parents. For most, the streets are safer than the environments they are leaving.

At Transitional Youth, our mission is to provide housing, outreach and support to positively transform the hearts and lives of homeless youth with compassion, guidance and the grace of God. 

Transitional Youth provides funding and volunteers for a full range of support services, from the basics of food, shelter and clothing to sponsorship of recreational programs. We also sponsor two residential homes in Southeast Portland and one in Vancouver; safe havens where youth committed to bettering their lives are given the structure, support and guidance they need to become healthy, productive members of society.

We support local youth assistance programs, such as DePaul Youth Services and Oregon Partnership for Youth. Over the years we have expanded our scope of giving to include youth in need beyond our city limits, such as The Sunshine Kids, a national charity assisting children with cancer.

We support these organizations with donations largely from the agents and staff of Prudential Northwest Properties and many of the companies with whom we do business. Most or our agents contribute financially from their real estate closings, in addition to making donations of clothing throughout the year. We also hold fund raising events such as our annual Transitional Youth Golf Tournament and the Seasonal Celebration.

Familiar Stories…

Jim was 16. His father died 18 months earlier and his mother had a new live-in boyfriend three weeks later. The boyfriend immediately began abusing Jim and his three younger sisters, one of whom became pregnant. Still, his mother refused to kick the man out. One night at 3:30 a.m. in a drunken rage, he beat all of the children and the police were called. Jim’s sisters were placed in foster care, but no placement was found for Jim. He was referred to Greenhouse.

Sarah was 14 and had been in foster care since age 9 because her mother was renting her out for sex. She was raped her second day on the streets. Following the rape and a hospital visit, the police brought her to an approved shelter because there was nowhere else to take her. She was referred to Greenhouse.

A Success Story…

“Ann has been on and off, mostly on, the streets as long as she can remember. Her mother, who is fighting a losing battle with heroin, can’t take care of herself let alone provide the direction and support Ann needs. She has never mentioned her father. We recently found her huddled in a fetal position, sobbing uncontrollably in the far corner of our clothing room. She was coming down from a week-long drug binge. ‘They were giving it to me for free,’ she said. ‘I haven’t eaten for a week.’ I knelt down and put my hand on her shoulder and said, ‘Ann, you are so much better than this. Come on, let’s see what we can do to help.’ With some food and clean clothes provided through Transitional Youth, and further words of hope and encouragement, Ann gradually began to wipe away some of her tears. We still see Ann, but it’s not the same sobbing girl in the corner; now we see a young woman of resolve, moving forward to build a better life.”

Greenhouse Volunteer

We are making a difference

“Your efforts at Transitional Youth don’t go unnoticed and are truly appreciated. The money you give provides a hearty, hot breakfast every Sunday morning, a meal on Wednesday and Friday evenings and the resources for special outings and retreats. Your donated clothing offers warmth and comfort in ways you couldn’t imagine. ‘I need some clothes to start back to school,’ one girl said. After a painfully slow but rewarding search through some of the items we’d just received, she declared, ‘These are perfect!’ In partnership with you, we strive to be there for all the kids. We offer a little help and encouragement, all towards the end result of building hope. Thanks for your continuing support.”

Gary Gorsuch, Greenhouse Volunteer

We are very proud of the commitment everyone at Prudential Northwest Properties has made to make a positive difference in the lives of homeless youth.

As a society, we are not adequately providing for the needs of our youth. Transitional Youth is working to correct this oversight. Please join us. Become part of the solution. On behalf of the children forced to live in the streets, I appeal to you to consider a contribution to Transitional Youth.

Please visit the new Transitional Youth Web site at: www.transitionalyouth.org.

Sincerely,

Bert E. Waugh, Jr.

For more information, please contact Bert E. Waugh, Jr. at 503.350.7205 or email bwaugh@prunw.com.

Write to: Transitional Youth, 14945 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 150, Portland, OR  97224