ABOUT US

Open Meadow is a private nonprofit, accredited educational organization serving youth who have not fared well in the public schools. Many have dropped out or are struggling with attendance, academic and personal issues that prevent them from succeeding.

Our Advocate program is central to our success with youth. Teacher/Advocates work with groups of 12 students in daily peer support groups, and maintain regular communication with parents and other significant adults in their student's lives to address issues of concern before they become overwhelming problems.

• Open Meadow assists more than 700 youth annually in two high school programs, a middle school, and in programs that transition youth from middle to high school and from high school to college and employment.
• STEP UP, a tutoring, advocacy and enrichment program that helps struggling middle school students stay in school, has been cited for its outstanding performance. According to The Oregonian, “STEP UP students get better grades, post better attendance and have fewer failures than other students in their grade.”
• Career Services help youth access advanced employment and educational opportunities.
• All students work toward high school diplomas, and 88% of those who graduated this year entered post-secondary education and/or were employed at graduation.

KYLE'S STORY

Kyle Robert Kepic entered Open Meadow after leaving public school. He flourished in Open Meadow's small classes and Advocate-based programs that helped him build relationships with staff, classmates and others. He was known for his wide ranging artistic talents, his generous personality and his love of nature. His mother Debbie says Open Meadow helped him get on the right track. But, as a young adult, he got caught up in a battle with heroin. Through the help of family and friends, Kyle went through rehab and made positive steps to get his life back on track, but nine months later heroin took his life. This tragic end to Kyle's promising young life came at the age of 24.

WALK A MILE FOR KYLE AT THE PORTLAND MARATHON

Join the Walk A Mile for Kyle team that's part of the Portland Marathon's 10K Mayor's Walk on Sunday October 5. The 6.2 mile memory walk will honor Kyle's life, help raise awareness of drug addiction, and raise funds to help Open Meadow continue its services to at risk youth in our community.

To join the Mayors Walk team walking for Kyle, enter the team password “openmeadow” when you register. Kyle’s team begins to walk at 9:30 am.

Or participate in any Portland Marathon event and donate in Kyle's memory by pressing the Make A Donation button below.

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer to help our students get their life back on track. Spend an hour in the classroom sharing your expertise on a topic, provide an internship for a student, or serve as a career mentor a couple of hours a month throughout the year. Contact Michele Taylor, Community Partnerships Coordinator, at 503-488-5176 or Michele@openmeadow.org.