Give to LifeWorks NW this spring and change a life!

Spring Giving

Your support today puts tomorrow's goals within reach.

Picture it: A student walks confidently across the stage on his high school graduation day, looking ahead to a bright future. Diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety early in life, this student has worked hard throughout his years of schooling to learn skills and techniques that helped him navigate classes and successfully complete his work.

But what if he never had that early support? What if he had spent his youth believing he was a terrible student, that he was doomed to fail? That’s exactly what happened to Jacob (not his real name). Struggling to sit still, concentrate, or get his work done, he failed class after class.

“I remember thinking 'I know I’m not dumb. Why aren’t my grades reflecting that?’” - Jacob

Research shows that students age 6-17 with mental health or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade (NAMI by the Numbers 2025), and we also know that early intervention and support can change the trajectory of an entire life.

Your support today can help kids just like Jacob

At LifeWorks NW, we provide services across the lifespan, and some of our most critical work happens early in a person’s life. This can take many forms, including:

Child abuse prevention services that work with children recovering from unimaginable trauma and provide parents the skills and tools they need to give their kids the healthiest start possible;
Mental health services that help children, youth, and their families with counseling, skills training, and medication and case management;
Early assessment and intervention for youth experiencing their first symptoms of psychosis to help them understand what is happening and how to manage their symptoms.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that LifeWorks NW works with children and families, building a solid foundation in early childhood so kids can start school ready to learn and equipped to work through the challenges they will face on their path to adulthood.

As for Jacob, he now knows the truth. He’s not dumb. He’s also not a terrible student. Jacob found LifeWorks NW as an adult, and the picture began to become clear. Diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, Jacob’s LifeWorks NW care team worked with him to identify ways to improve his study skills and achieve his goals. Seeing his progress, they encouraged him to apply to Portland Community College.

Now, nearly two years into his program, Jacob has straight As and is on the Dean’s List, with plans to become a Mental Health Therapist to give others the critical support he received at LifeWorks NW.