Jim Neill’s 2015 Tournament will be Benefitting Project Lemonade

Project Lemonade provides foster youth with a back-to-school shopping experience and offers support to inspire self-esteem and promote success.

Please allow us to introduce you to a non-profit organization serving foster youth in Portland – Project Lemonade.  This is an amazing organization that supports foster children through a very simple action, but one that is life changing.  Project Lemonade operates a beautiful retail store in August where foster children can do back-to-school shopping for free.  Each child shops for jeans, shoes, jackets, socks and underwear, and backpacks which are all donated and funded by retailers, citizens, businesses and grants. With a new pair of shoes and jeans that fit we send these kids off to start their school year with greater confidence and a huge boost to their self-esteem.  They now fit in with their peers.  Since 2012, Project Lemonade has served nearly 5,000 youth ages 5-20 years.  Project Lemonade is currently a 100% volunteer organization served by over 400 volunteers from our community. Project Lemonade is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Project Lemonade is a Portland, Oregon non-profit 501(c)3 run entirely by volunteers. Our mission is to support and promote confidence in foster youth. Each August youth ages 5-20 shop for free back to school clothes in our pop-up shop. Each foster youth chooses his or her own new or nearly new outfits, accessories and shoes.

Foster youth with open cases and those under the supervision of the state of Oregon are eligible to schedule an appointment to shop. Youth are referred to us via non-profit and government agencies, such as the Department of Human Services – Child Welfare, Morrison Center, and Janus Youth. Since 2012 Project Lemonade has served over 3,000 foster youth from Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and counties in outlying areas.

Each youth receives a “shopping list” which entitles them to shop for staples from a selection of new and gently used jackets, denim, sweaters, t-shirts, shoes, accessories. Each youth receives new underwear and socks. Personal shoppers are available to help navigate the store. Inventory varies greatly due to the quantity and nature of donations.

Project Lemonade relies on financial contributions, grants, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts by both individuals and companies. Its board of directors provides oversight to the organization and its nearly 300 volunteers.

Visit Project Lemonade at: www.projectlemonadepdx.org/ for more information about this organization.