punx with purpose

Punx With Purpose is a non-profit organization in Salem, Oregon that focuses on supporting our community’s at-risk youth.

Our Mission:

“Punx With Purpose provides first hand perspective on the challenges threatening our youth today. Peers with lived experience will empower the youth of Marion and Polk Counties by meeting them where they are.  PWP seeks to create community and provide safer spaces where our youth can gather and receive the resources they need to succeed as they grow into functional community members.”

PWP puts on events and resource pop-ups in Polk and Marion Counties to connect youths ages 11-18 with resources. Our largest event is the annual PUNX IN THE PARK RESOURCE FAIR AND CONCERT in Salem, Oregon in the Fall.

A tattoo-style illustration of a purple heart with a ribbon banner that reads "PUNX WITH PURPOSE," surrounded by radiating black lines.

Meet the punx

  • A woman with pink hair smiling at an outdoor event, wearing a black and white cap that says "Punk for the People" and a yellow lanyard, with trees and people in the background.

    Hailey Kelley

    FOUNDER / C-”EMO”

    Hailey is the visionary behind Punx In The Park. Her dream was to create an event where at risk youth could come as they are and seek mentorship from “Elder Punx” - those who made it out of street life to become successful adults. The event quickly snowballed it into a successful concert/resource fair, connecting hundreds of youth to services and resources. Her vision grew into the parent non-profit Punx With Purpose - a year-round resource and counseling facility with offices in Salem, OR.

  • A man with a beard taking a selfie next to a large Pikachu-shaped piñata at an outdoor event or festival.

    JAMES KELLEY

    CO-FOUNDER / CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

    On the surface James is your average blue-collar guy and hard working father. Look a little deeper and you’ll find he has a passion to be helpful and give back to his community. He works tirelessly on our PITP event and we make him drive all the big trucks. Punx With Purpose is more to him than an organization, it’s a way of life.

  • Two smiling people, a woman and a man, holding water bottles at an outdoor event with tents and other people in the background.

    Board of Directors

    Our Board is comprised of a diverse group of community members who have lived experiences and share many things in common with the youth we serve. They understand our youth’s needs because they’ve been there too. Drawing on their backgrounds in healthcare, marketing, event planning and non-profit management they work closely with our small team in the trenches. Our Board members are selected for their passion commitment to connecting at risk youth with the proper resources to facilitate their long term success.

A black background infographic highlights issues facing youth in a community. It shows that 1,946 K-12 students experienced homelessness, 746 youth were involved in juvenile justice, and 500 youth are survivors of sexual trafficking and exploitation. A small outline map of Indiana with an arrow points to the state's location.

WHY did Punx WIth Purpose come together in Salem, Oregon?

Purple heart-shaped lollipop with the word 'PINK' written inside, dripping in bright purple on a black background.

WE WANT TO CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER - IN A NEW WAY.

LET US TELL YOU MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT TOGETHER.

CONTACT US