About REAP
History
REAP became incorporated in Spring of 2001 as an outgrowth of a school-based mentoring effort between students and community volunteers dating back to 1997 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon. REAP serves students from multiple geographic areas, specifically rural, urban and economically underserved communities. 7th-12th grade students represent our target population. Through the power of student voice, REAP has become a magnet for educators, elected officials, parents, community leaders and business professionals with the interest of supporting today’s youth.
“What REAP, Inc. is offering the students in our public schools is innovative and highly engaging.”
-Tom Potter, Former Mayor, City of Portland
Impact Areas: Business | Education | Civic | Health
Mission
To be proactively involved to empower and engage youth, families and the community for a better future NOW.
The REAP Philosophy:
- We believe in students-inspiring them to exceed the odds using their own passion, knowledge and experience.
- We develop problem solving skills that serve as the catalyst for their success.
- We give them a window into their future by engaging them with professional, community leaders.
Vision
We envision becoming a multi-purpose organization whose commitment is to serve individuals, needy families, at-risk youth and underprivileged communities by providing resources, motivation, mentoring and real life experience to help people succeed.
While the traditional models of one-on-one mentoring have laid the foundation for increasing student success, REAP has introduced an innovative model tha engages and empowers students to take on the identity of “Solutionist” – In their schools and in their communities – and to see themselves not as the problem but the solution.
“REAP is engaging youth in their education by connecting their class work with employment, business, and civic mindedness” – Simone Brooks, Business Developement Director, Brooks Staffing