REAP Celebrates 25 Years Advancing Equity Across the Northwest

Breaking barriers and building young leaders

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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What began in 2001 as a bold vision to amplify youth voices has materialized into one of the Northwest's most impactful youth serving organizations. This year, REAP celebrates 25 years of breaking down systemic barriers, developing young leaders, and fundamentally reshaping how schools and communities support students across the region.

Why it matters

REAP has grown into a regional architect of change, now serving more than 1,800 students annually across 30 school sites and 14 school districts spanning 5 counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The organization's 25-year trajectory reflects the urgent need for this work and the power of REAP's leadership-centered approach to address educational inequity, mental health challenges, and economic mobility issues facing youth.

The details

From its Portland roots, REAP has expanded its comprehensive, leadership-centered model that addresses the whole child through four interconnected pillars of impact: flagship leadership development program Solutions, academic support and mentorship, the Young Entrepreneurs Program, and the Clinical Behavioral Health Program. REAP also leads the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition and partners with the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education to inform statewide policy.

  • REAP was founded in 2001.
  • From 2001 to 2004, the organization launched student leadership programming focused on youth voice and advocacy.
  • By 2005-2009, REAP had expanded into multiple school districts, introducing Black Studies leadership models and regional civic engagement initiatives.
  • The 2010-2014 period saw the launch of signature programs including Purpose Events and the Reflections program, along with youth-led forums, mayoral debates, and state-level advocacy efforts.
  • From 2021–2023, REAP Created and expanded its Clinical Behavioral Health Program, marsharling the statewide Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition and growing its Young Entrepreneurs Program.

The players

Dr. Levell Thomas

CEO/Founder of REAP.

Mark Jackson

Executive Director and co-founder of REAP.

REAP

A regional youth serving organization that has grown to serve more than 1,800 students annually across 30 school sites and 14 school districts in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

A state agency that REAP partners with to lead the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition and inform statewide policy.

Oregon Department of Education (ODE)

A state agency that REAP partners with to lead the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition and inform statewide policy.

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What they’re saying

“Twenty-five years ago, REAP set out with a simple but powerful belief: that every young person, regardless of their zip code or circumstances, deserves access to opportunities that ignite their innate ability to solve problems and unlock their leadership potential to help them thrive.”

— Dr. Levell Thomas, CEO/Founder of REAP (Portland Observer)

“As we celebrate this milestone, we're not just looking back—we're building toward the future. The future is now.”

— Mark Jackson, Executive Director and co-founder of REAP (Portland Observer)

The takeaway

REAP's 25-year trajectory from a local youth initiative to a premier regional architect of educational equity and economic mobility reflects the urgent need for this work and the power of its leadership-centered approach. The organization's comprehensive model addressing the whole child through interconnected pillars of impact serves as a model for sustainable, systemic change in addressing educational inequity, mental health challenges, and economic mobility issues facing youth.