Next R.O.Y. Soup to Go day lunch at Youth Progress Association

YOUTH PROGRESS R.O.Y. PROJECT’S NEXT “SOUP TO GO” EVENT!

Portland non-profit Youth Progress Association (YPA) is holding their Monthly “Soup To Go” sale to benefit the R.O.Y project, YPA’s vocational training program. The event will be held at the organization’s office lobby at 2040 SE Powell Blvd. on Thursday February 18, from 11am to 1pm.

The R.O.Y. project (Recovering Oregon Youth) is our vocational training program which includes the soup project, designed to help lower-functioning youth gain work experience and practice social skills in a supportive environment and easing their transition into employment outside of YPA.

The young adults in R.O.Y. have created their soup in a tube product from design, to recipes, packaging and marketing. Soup Day will be an opportunity for the public to sample the soups, learn about the program and purchase the dried mixes. On offer for the first Soup Day will be “Kathy’s Classic Black Bean”, “4+1 Mixed Bean” and “Hasta la Pasta” versions. $4 will buy a large bowl of one of the soups, or a sampler of all three and will include a slice of bread. Sodas and dessert items will also be available. Gift baskets of the soups will also be available for purchase.

Program Coordinator Suzie McDermott said “The kids are so excited to see their soup made available to the public. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to see the final step in the process. They have really succeeded at creating a delicious product.”

“Soup To Go” is a monthly event at YPA, with the March event being held March 18, same time, same place. All proceeds directly benefit the R.O.Y. Project at Youth Progress Association.

Orders can also be placed for the soup mixes online: http://roy.youthprogress.org/

Youth Progress Association (YPA) is a non-profit, independent living organization that has been providing Oregon's youth with the skills necessary to become successful community members since 1964. Our clients range in age from 15 to 24, have diverse backgrounds, and come from all over Oregon. The majority of our clients have either been involved in the juvenile justice system or have no appropriate home resource with whom to live. Youth Progress clients are often labeled as "difficult to treat" and have typically been rejected from other placements due to behaviors or background. Youth Progress specializes in working with these youth by providing them with individualized opportunities to succeed. Youth Progress Association provides opportunities to approximately 80 Oregon youth each year.

-- Erin KendrickSupport Services SupervisorYouth Progress Associationekendrick@youthprogress.org503-233-6121 x351