Our History
Project Lemonade was born
from the vision of empowering foster youth
as they return to school with newfound confidence.
The journey began in 2012
After learning about state budget cuts for clothing for foster youth, foster parent Rhonda Meadows was determined to take action. Inspired by her own foster son and the impact that new clothing made on his confidence at school, she rallied her community, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and local businesses to form Project Lemonade. Read more about the inspiration behind this remarkable initiative in the Founder Letter.
With a dedicated team of passionate community members, the young organization achieved an extraordinary feat in its inaugural month of operation: they provided 1,000 foster youth with new clothing as they returned to school. Project Lemonade continued to operate as a back-to-school pop-up shop for the next three years until we found a permanent home in Lloyd Center.
Scroll down to see our growth and milestones in our 10-year timeline.
With gratitude to 10 years of working board members:
Founding Board Members:
Jen Andres, Austin Blythe, Cheryl Bradley, Kirsten Brady (Chair Emeritus), Paula Brooke, Janet Cathcart, Susie Ellison, Brianna Finney, Cynthia Fraser, Rhonda Meadows, and Cheryl Scherzer.
Former Board Members
Sarah Allen, Gail Andersen, Teri Beatty, Jonathan Cavanagh, Melissa Conrad, Cari Coyer, Linda Favero, Heidi Grenley, Betsy Koback, Betsy Lake, Michael Liska, Joyce Mendelsohn, Cynthia Morgan, Maria Ponzi, Anthony Preston, Julie Rood, Neal Schechter, Tricia Smith, Laurel Strickler, Dawn Tangvald, Andrea Wetsel, Tracy Williams, Sara Wright, Kris Wright.
10 YEAR HISTORY
2012
The Project Lemonade brand is named after the concept of turning lemons into lemonade to reflect the organization’s mission to support youth in a time of need.
Inaugural Project Lemonade back-to-school pop-up shop opens in the Pearl District, serving 1,000 youth in just one month.
2013
Project Lemonade is incorporated as a 501c3.
Second annual back-to-school shopping pop-up event opens in downtown Portland.
2014
Third annual back-to-school pop-up shop opens in Delta Park.
First annual Project Lemonade fundraiser is held at the Multnomah Athletic Club, where it runs consecutively for six years.
2015
First staff member hired as a Store & Volunteer Coordinator.
Project Lemonade moves into Lloyd Center and operates a successful fourth annual back-to-school shopping event.
2016
WISH (What Inspire’s Student’s Hearts) program is launched to help youth pursue their dreams.
Project Lemonade receives a 3-year grant to launch a summer internship program for foster teens. First cohort of 10 interns is hired.
Back-to-school shopping event serves 1,800 foster youth supported by 750 volunteers in its fifth year.
2017
Second cohort of 10 summer interns are hired.
Back-to-school shopping event serves foster youth from 26 counties in Oregon and SW Washington.
2018
Project Lemonade partners with SummerWorks to fund the third cohort of summer interns.
Milestone reached of serving 2,000 foster youth at the back-to-school shopping event.
2019
Project Lemonade Board creates a 3-year strategic plan, leveraging feedback from over 250 stakeholders.
Back-to-school shopping season expanded through July and August.
2020
Project Lemonade successfully navigates reopening after a 3-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Shopping program founded as a response to the pandemic.
Year-round shopping is made accessible for families, open 5 days a week.
Project Lemonade partners with ODHS to host their Toys for Tots holiday shopping event.
Milestone reached of granting 100 WISHes
2021
Year-round internship is launched, accepting 15 youth in three cohorts.
First ever Superhero Event at the Project Lemonade Store, serving 200 youth.
Inaugural Advisory Council meeting, bringing together agency staff, nonprofits and youth with lived experience.
First annual Night of Inspiration fundraiser at Oswego Hills Winery
Milestone reached of 2,500 annual engagements with foster youth through Project Lemonade programs
2022
Project Lemonade partners with ODHS’ Teen Units to provide customized graduation gifts to 35 youth graduating high school.
New Project Lemonade Store is opened next to the former store, offering an upscale shopping experience for youth.
Partnership with rural counties to provide Virtual Shopping orders for youth serves 200 youth.
2023
Project Lemonade opens the Workshop, a community-oriented space for bringing partners together and hosting program events for youth.
Inspire Network is launched, providing additional wraparound services to youth aging out of care. Twenty youth served in pilot year.
Fill the Gap Scholarship completes its inaugural cycle, granting $4,000 renewable scholarships to 4 youth, and $3,000 renewable scholarships to 3 youth.