Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

TRANSITIONAL YOUTH REBRANDS AS BRAKING CYCLES TO REFLECT EXPANDED VISION OF BRAKING CYCLES OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON.
 

Portland, OR — January 13, 2026 — After more than three decades of service to vulnerable youth across Oregon and Washington, Transitional Youth today announced its official rebrand to Braking Cycles, effective January 13, 2026. The new name reflects the organization’s enduring commitment to breaking cycles of homelessness, poverty, exploitation, and hopelessness—while creating pathways toward stability, dignity, and lasting independence for young people.
 

Founded in 1991 by Bert and Susy Waugh, the organization began as a grassroots effort to support homeless children in the Portland area. Over time, Transitional Youth grew into a comprehensive network of housing, mentorship, and workforce development programs serving at-risk youth throughout the Pacific Northwest. Today, as Braking Cycles, the organization enters a new chapter that more fully captures both the urgency of its mission and the momentum of its impact.
 

“Braking Cycles is more than a new name—it’s a declaration of hope,” said Rhona Mahl, Executive Director of Braking Cycles. “For decades, we’ve walked alongside young people caught in cycles they didn’t choose. This rebrand reflects our resolve to inspire vision, unlock potential, and equip to advance the next generation in the Pacific Northwest.”
 

Under the Braking Cycles umbrella, the organization continues to operate its proven housing programs in Oregon and Washington, vocational training through the Braking Cycles Coffee & Bike Shop, and child mentorship through Faithful Friends, a long-standing mentoring program now fully integrated into the organization’s continuum of care.
 

While the name is changing, the heart of the organization remains the same. Through safe housing, transformative job training, and life-changing mentorship, Braking Cycles exists to empower young people to reclaim their stories, discover their God-given worth, and step confidently into hope-filled futures.
 

Community members, partners, donors, and supporters are invited to join in celebrating the launch of Braking Cycles and to learn more about opportunities to get involved in 2026. 

Additional information about the rebrand, programs, and upcoming initiatives can be found at www.brakingcyclesnw.org.

 

Media Contact
Rhona Mahl
Executive Director, Braking Cycles
hello@transitionalyouth.org
www.brakingcyclesnw.org