Circus Project of Portland Helps At Risk Youth

circusproject.org

Can you imagine a nonprofit that celebrates circus arts, overcomes social barriers and helps at risk youth? Well that's  Portland's Circus Project founded by Jenn Cohen who became enthralled with the flying trapeze at a visit to Club Med when she was 13.


The nonprofit creates professional contemporary circus productions  with the international known performers in the field. They offer workshops, classes and technical training courses in circus arts to homeless and  other at risk youth --- and uses circus arts to teach critical life skills. The Circus Project has continually prioritized making quality circus arts education accessible for people facing barriers, and offers over $60,000 in scholarships every year.

 

 

In 2019, and with seed funding from Cirque du Soleil, The Circus Project founded The Voice Project, a social justice-focused training company for marginalized youth. This program circles back to the founding vision of using the creation of circus arts productions to empower and lift up the voices of youth experiencing hardship.

The Circus Project has a  world class performance troupe  available  for professional performances for corporate, civic, nonprofit and private events. The organization is currently working with over 600 homeless and at risk youth through 30 agencies. Youth in the program also participate in dance and performance festivals. To learn more and to support the project visit http://thecircusproject.org/