Values
We believe students deserve equitable access to resources and to be their authentic selves within communities they share with one another.
Mission
We act on this belief by engaging with students to foster self-awareness, interpersonal understanding, and social justice through civic leadership.
Vision
Passion Impact students are self-affirmed community members who pursue their passions to achieve a healthier world.
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What does this look like?
The most common resource that we all share is time. Time can be devoted to sitting in a classroom. Time can be shared with friends and family. Time must be spent on achieving the basic necessities in life in order to continue living. Where students direct their time can have meaningful impacts on the rest of their lives. We exist to provide outlets for students to engage in their community to learn about themselves, their peers, and their community. The time they use to devote themselves helps them connect better with others, leaves them with questions, stretches their expectations and knowledge base, and gives them happiness that resounds internally.
Who do we support?
Visit our School and Student Designation to learn more about who we support.
Why is our mission so important to us?
Education is the backbone to independence and more importantly, interdependence. Interdependence as a society works best when all contributors are employed in areas that fit their capabilities, and more importantly, where people enjoy what they do. Based on the stories we hear from students, our conversations with employers, and our our own experiences, we believe that the education system is currently failing our society. Unfortunately, 67% of the American workplace is disengaged or actively disengaged at their workplace. 16% of employees are “miserable in the workplace and destroy what the most engaged employees build. The remaining 51% of employees are not engaged – they’re just there.” (State of the American Workplace, Gallup 2017). By combining service and learning centered around career aspirations, we work with students to highlight their skills, interests, and eventual passions through reflection. We see the American workplace to be FULL of passion and engagement and the best way we can create this impact is through connecting civic leadership to education.
Our Story
Passion Impact (PI) was founded March 18, 2014 by Stefan Peierls and Brad Burns who were inspired by the idea that individuals can impact their communities in simple and powerful ways, especially if they are passionate about what they were doing. Their initial plan was volunteer in the cities across the US and to document their experiences with the hopes that they would inspire others to volunteer too. After several arduous months, Stefan and Brad rolled into the Rose City and planted their feet, dedicated to start implementing programs based on their travels in a city rich with nonprofits. After multiple years of program development, Passion Impact has found a niche in supporting high school and community college students in the Portland area. Since 2014, students have guided the organization and as of a 2018 evaluation, advised the focus shift to providing consistent volunteer events. All programs surround this redirection and have a consistent theme of leadership development, civic engagement, and community connection as students are encouraged to sit in the decision making seat.
Inclusion Policy
Passion Impact does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.