Milwaukie High School will work with a Portland-based nonprofit that starts year-round multicultural youth programs committed to empowering the next wave of leaders.

“Equity is a priority for myself and for Milwaukie High School, and Milwaukie Academy of the Arts as a whole,” said MHS Principal Carmen Gelman. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Reap program, so I’m excited to get started.”

Reap Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2001, recently announced two new school district partners, North Clackamas School District and Tigard-Tualatin School District. REAP also serves close to 1,000 students annually in Portland Public Schools, David Douglas, Beaverton and Centennial.

“For 20 years, Reap has seen the direct benefits of our programs on youth in the Portland metro region. We’ve also seen demand for those programs continue to grow,” said Mark Jackson, executive director and co-founder of Reap. “Partnering with the Clackamas and Tigard-Tualatin school districts will allow us to reach even more students and set them on a path to a bright future.”

Reap’s four primary programs, which are being offered virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, serve students of disengaged populations in grades three through 12. Programs include:

• Solutions, a leadership curriculum on civics, education, health, business and entrepreneurship.

• Renaissance, a leadership development program designed to respond to the academic and social needs of culturally diverse males ages 12-18.

• Reflections, which provides targeted support for youth identified as having disciplinary issues.

• Young Entrepreneurs Program, career leadership focused on entrepreneurship and innovation

In addition to Reap’s ongoing expansion, the nonprofit is involved in several other new initiatives. On Jan. 14, Reap convened the first Oregon Students United Leadership Summit with the Coalition of School Administrators, the office of Gov. Kate Brown and other education organizations. The virtual summit was open to all Oregon students ages 12-21 to give students and educators the opportunity to voice their support for a new Racial Equity and Justice Student Leadership Council.

“As we embark upon a new decade of service, I am resolved that our mission is now more important than ever,” said Levell Thomas, Reap CEO and president. “The resiliency of our students, talented staff and generous supporters has positioned Reap to advance an innovative youth leadership model that exemplifies what’s possible when you maintain mission integrity.”