As graduation season unfolds, the NBA Foundation is proud to celebrate and champion its impactful partnership with New Pathways for Youth (NPFY) — a Phoenix-based nonprofit that has been transforming lives for over 36 years. Through long-term mentoring and personal development, NPFY currently supports over 1,000 active youth participants, helping them unlock brighter futures.
“At New Pathways for Youth, we believe that graduation is more than a ceremony — it’s a symbol of transformation, resilience, and new possibilities. We deeply value our partnership with the NBA Foundation and your vital support of our FY25–FY27 Capacity-Building Project. This initiative closely aligns with the Foundation’s mission to advance economic opportunity and empowerment for under-resourced youth through equity, excellence, and community engagement,” said Dr. Karen Johnson, CEO of New Pathways for Youth.
NPFY’s most recent pairing of mentors and mentees beginning their journey together.
At the heart of NPFY’s programming is the Level Up program, offering 1:1 mentorship that connects caring adults with youth to foster deep, transformational relationships.
Recognizing the challenge of recruiting long-term mentors, the NBA Foundation stepped in with support that’s made a tangible difference. This funding enabled NPFY to develop culturally responsive marketing tools, strengthen the mentor onboarding and matching process and hire a dedicated Mentor Recruiter focused on outreach within Phoenix’s Black community.
“Your generous funding has significantly strengthened our efforts to create school-to-career pathways for Black youth in the Phoenix Suns’ market,” said Johnson.
The Phoenix Suns are proud to have NPFY close by and making an impact, too. “We are proud to partner with the NBA Foundation in supporting New Pathways for Youth. As a longtime community partner of our organization, the impactful work of New Pathways for Youth in Phoenix is creating real, lasting change for the youth in our community,” said Sarah Krahenbuhl Executive Director, Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation & Vice President, Social Responsibility.
Relationships & Results Worth Celebrating
Entering 2025, the Level Up program has delivered over 14,000 hours of dedicated mentoring. Additionally, NPFY has awarded $84,000 in scholarships to 28 outstanding first-generation college students, covering both tuition and essential expenses to remove barriers to higher education.
The results speak volumes:
- 95% high school graduation rate
- 80% of graduates pursue post-secondary education
- 75% of those are first-generation college students
“As they step into young adulthood, these graduates are pursuing diverse and inspiring futures: enrolling in colleges like GCC, NAU, ASU, and U of A to study nursing, psychology, engineering, and the arts; entering trade schools for welding, HVAC, and electrical work; joining the military; launching careers; and even chasing dreams of becoming professional wrestlers, actors, or community leaders. Their resilience and ambition are a testament to the power of mentorship and the strength of our community.”
That’s something worth celebrating.
At a special event hosted at NPFY’s home base in Phoenix, 39 students from the Class of 2025 were honored for their upcoming commencement. Events like these are central to NPFY’s mission to celebrate transformation and potential.
“The continued support from New Pathways for Youth and my mentor are what continue to push me to strive for more and to continue with my education even when it gets difficult. It is because of New Pathways for Youth that I will graduate from ASU with a degree in Psychology and be the first generation in my family to have a college degree,” said Nayeli, NPFY mentee and 2025 graduate.
To learn more or support New Pathways for Youth, email info@npfy.org. For a full list of NBA Foundation partners, click here.
