History

historyFounded in April 2003 by Stephanie Tolk and Deb Delman, The Pangaea Project has become one of the most innovative leadership development organizations for low-income youth in the Portland area. The organization was founded on the belief that all youth, regardless of socio-economic status or life circumstance, can be positively contributing members of the community and the world as effective leaders.

While incorporating the organization and receiving tax-exempt status from the IRS in 2003, Deb and Stephanie brought together advisors, experts, and mentors in the areas of education, accounting, fundraising, international exchange, finance, and other relevant fields in order to launch a well-structured, comprehensive program.

The Pangaea Project ran the first program in 2006 with an inaugural group of eight students from Portland YouthBuilders, Roosevelt High School, and Franklin High School. The group studied the social justice theme of Environmental Justice in Portland and Ecuador, and to date, graduates from the group have:

  • matriculated into Eastern Oregon University
  • received full scholarships to the Evergreen State University
  • joined Amnesty International at University of Oregon
  • entered competitive carpentry apprenticeships
  • joined the Multnomah Youth Commission
  • studied abroad on scholarship with AFS Intercultural Programs in Thailand

historyThe 2007 group studied the theme of Housing and Homelessness in Portland and Ecuador where they participated in such activities as selling Street Roots newspapers with members of the homeless community and volunteering at Dignity Village. Graduates from the 2007 group have:

  • entered Portland State University as full-time students
  • entered competitive millwright apprenticeship programs
  • co-coordinated a SMART reading program for elementary school students
  • studied abroad on scholarship with AFS Intercultural Programs in Thailand
  • studied photojournalism at Mt. Hood Community College
  • served on the Multnomah Youth Commission

In 2008, The Pangaea Project proudly expanded to two programs, adding the Labor Rights & Fair Trade program in Thailand to the Environmental Justice program in Ecuador. With eighteen participants in 2008 representing five high schools, The Pangaea Project successfully doubled the number of students served. Graduates of the 2008 programs have:

  • received a 4.0 GPA at Portland Community College
  • joined the Multnomah Youth Commission
  • joined Student Government at Portland Community College
  • served as coordinator of the Black Student Union in college
  • volunteered at Blanchet House
  • volunteered at KBOO radio
  • started a battery drive to build awareness about chemical water pollution
  • led Prom committee
  • joined the student review board at school
  • became student leaders at Outdoor School
  • fed the homeless under the Burnside Bridge at Thanksgiving
  • chosen such careers as anthropology, medicine, and photojournalism

PangaeaThe Pangaea Project’s eighteen students participating in our 2009 programs represent six high schools and hold all of the leadership potential and passion as their predecessors.