New Pathways for Youth
Karen Johnson is currently serving as the President & CEO of New Pathways for Youth and as a Board Member for Arizona Animal Welfare League. In the past, Karen has held various leadership positions such as Vice President of University Relations at Midwestern University, President of the Board of Directors at UMOM New Day Centers and YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, and Editor at ASCP. With a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in History from The College of Wooster, Karen continues to pursue education at Harvard Graduate School of Education for Institute for Education Management.
New Pathways for Youth
At New Pathways for Youth, we’re transforming the lives of youth by providing the support, stability, and skills they need to flourish in the community and in their families. In the communities we serve, youth experience poverty and three times the adversity of their peers. Beyond material insecurities, these challenges interrupt a youth’s sense of their potential, disconnecting them from what's true: that each of us has immeasurable, inherent value - and the future holds unlimited possibilities. Through a holistic development program and 1:1 mentoring within community groups, we want to ensure that every young person can live their life with joy and purpose, confident in their ability to decide their own path. Our research-based program is proven to generate remarkable outcomes for the youth we serve; from greater high school graduation rates, to increased personal wellness and prevention of harmful behaviors. Nobody does it alone. Every youth takes root in and is supported by the entire New Pathways community, discovering healthier, more conscious ways of thinking and taking transformative steps together. When our youth experience the support and personal development that our program offers, they feel unstoppable - and that spirit extends beyond the self to impact their family, community, and the world around them.