The justice system’s impact on our communities is significant, and we are committed to building bridges and supportive pathways first, so that individuals, families, and communities can be safe and thrive.
25%
The US holds nearly 25% of the world’s incarcerated population, while making up less than 5% of the world’s population
1 in 2
1 in 2 Americans has an immediate family member who has been incarcerated
What We Do to Transform Lives and Systems
Our Guiding Beliefs
- Justice system involvement stems from complex structural, social, and individual determinants, further hindered by barriers and resource scarcity
- Access to tools and holistic, responsive support leads to improved outcomes for individuals navigating the justice system
Four Key Activities
Through our organization’s four key activities, we aim to improve holistic resiliency outcomes that lead to safe and thriving communities:
- Cognitive-behavioral and social-emotional learning programming
- Wraparound support
- Social, family, and community support and engagement
- System and community transformation
Learn more in our Theory of Change →
Related Programs
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Story of Impact: Thriving Through Mentorship
Nakoda sought support from our Mentoring Inside Out youth mentoring program to prevent further system involvement. He improved his relationship with school through wraparound support, monthly group activities, and engaging in individual mentoring.
With the support of his mentor over the course of 4 years, he earned his GED, completed two certifications toward his goal of obtaining a construction apprenticeship, and earned an opportunity to attend a national conference in Washington DC as a youth ambassador. His dedication paid off, and he now attends Northwest College of Construction’s carpentry program full time!
Prevention Spotlight: Youth System of Care Strategic Plan
The Pathfinder Network partnered with the Oregon Health Authority on a participatory action project for the State of Oregon’s 2026–2029 Youth System of Care Strategic Plan. Through this initiative, we facilitated focus groups with justice system-impacted youth from The PATHfinder Club, directly integrating their lived experience and expertise into the System of Care Advisory Council, from content development to final review.
True upstream prevention requires engaging young people as equal partners and experts from the very beginning; by centering their voices at every stage, we are helping co-create a strategic vision that authentically reflects what Oregon’s youth and families need to be safe and thrive.
Partnership with Outside the Frame
In Summer 2023, The PATHfinder Club collaborated with Outside the Frame for a film intensive that gave our club members in Portland a platform to explore the art of storytelling through filmmaking. Partnerships like this are at the heart of our work at The Pathfinder Network. By joining forces with creative organizations, we provide our participants with unique opportunities to build technical skills and share their personal stories with the community.
Below, click to watch “I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE,” written and directed by Kai Salazar-Paschal, and “It’s Ok to Not Be Ok,” written and directed by Jaden Saetern and Tyler Stonebreaker.
