Printing with Purpose: How We’re Empowering Portland Youth—One Shirt at a Time

When people hear “screen printing,” they usually think of cool designs on t-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags—and yes, we do all of that here at New Avenues INK. But for us, screen printing is also a way to create opportunity. Every single item we print helps a young person in Portland build job skills, confidence, and a stronger future.

More Than Just Ink on Fabric

While we’re proud of the high-quality custom apparel we create for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and events, what really drives us is our mission. We reinvest 100% of our profits into paid job training for youth experiencing housing instability or other barriers to employment. When you place an order with us, you're not just buying shirts— it’s not hyperbole when we say that you’re also investing in the future of Portland’s youth.

What Youth Learn at INK

In our shop, young people are hands-on from day one. They learn how to prep screens, mix inks, print garments, and even run live printing events around Portland. But it’s not just technical skills—they gain experience in communication, teamwork, time management, and accountability.

We’ve seen firsthand how a simple screen printing job can be the start of something bigger: a spark of confidence, a sense of pride, a path forward. And it shows—our customers often tell us they can feel the purpose behind their order.

“Every order has a story, and it starts right here in our shop—with a young person showing up, learning something new, and realizing what they’re capable of.”

Why It Matters

Many of the youth we work with go on to pursue careers in design, production, customer service, and beyond. They leave with real-world experience and a resume that opens doors. That’s why we do this.

So if you're looking for custom apparel and want to make an impact while you're at it, let’s work together. Whether it’s tees for your team, totes for your event, or a live printing station at your next gathering—we’ve got you covered.

Let’s make something great together—and change a few lives along the way.