About Focus on Youth

Empowering Youth

The mission of Focus On Youth is to empower at-risk youth through photography by providing creative outlets to experience their world in new ways and make positive changes in their lives.

Focus on Youth is making a difference in our community by giving disadvantaged youth the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a caring adult mentor who is a good role model.  This experience is transforming and enriching for mentors and youth alike.

Since FOY was founded Donna Lee has recruited over 100 homeless youth, refugees, school dropouts, teen parents and recovering addicts to join the classes and learn photography from volunteer mentors.

Community Building

Focus on Youth incorporated as a non-profit in 2004 and has continued to expand. We are moving to a custom designed 2000 square foot studio; gallery and darkroom in the centrally located historic Water Avenue Commerce Center, generously constructed and donated by Brad Malsin and Beam Development. Local photographers have donated cameras and darkroom equipment and supplies to the project and many volunteer to mentor a youth.

Focus on Youth runs a studio, darkroom and gallery in Portland’s inner Southeast neighborhood year-round.  Generous support from the community makes it possible for FOY to offer photography workshops at no cost to participants.  Each youth meets one-on-one with a photography mentor on location shoots around the city to improve their photographs and gain experience operating a 35 mm camera as well as learning darkroom skills.

Making a Difference

Focus on Youth is committed to providing teens with learning experiences that help them gain skills and abilities that are transferable to their future educational and professional endeavors.  These photography workshops are a rewarding way for teens to express themselves while documenting their community and cultures.  Youth experience the power of their imagination and in the process they develop new perspectives.  This supportive learning community creates an environment in which students can feel comfortable exploring new directions in their thinking, their relationships and their life choices.

Creating Success

Focus on Youth is playing a vital role in bringing youth from different backgrounds and cultures together for a learning experience that supports their curiosity and determination.  We are providing youth with the opportunity to learn photography, a place where their creativity and self-esteem can flourish, and a chance to be successful.