Dear PWA friends,

This was a big year for our nonprofit, as you can see from our annual report.

We reached a record number of students. We deepened our work with Portland Public Schools. We started a new partnership with the Parkrose School District. We had a tremendous annual breakfast. And our 12th annual NW Youth Careers Expo was the biggest and best ever.

READ OUR ANNUAL REPORTcareer-day-portland-fire-tower-boy-2016

All of this is possible because of supporters like you. The volunteers who host career days, create mentorships, talk to classrooms, serve on our board of directors, participate in the Expo and open their hearts to students are the lifeblood of our nonprofit. The educators, career coordinators, employers and foundations who help drive the work are instrumental to students’ success.

As one PPS student told us this year after a career day, “It made me excited to figure out for myself what I want to do.”

HEAR MORE FROM STUDENTS ABOUT CAREER DAYS

But our work is far from done. Oregon’s graduation rate remains the fourth lowest in the country. Too many promising and capable young students don’t have the opportunity to explore careers or develop informed college-and-career aspirations while in high school. We need your continued support: Together, we can strengthen our high schools, support our region’s future workforce and help more young people find their footing in a fast-changing world.

Please look for opportunities this year to deepen your involvement. Support comes in many forms, including volunteering, individual giving, employer participation and sponsorships.  Let us know how we can help, and thank you again for being part of this critical work.

Natalie Miller, board president

Kevin Jeans Gail, executive director

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A letter to our supporters: Big year for Portland Workforce Alliance