We have seen the power of connecting teens and young adults to themselves, to others, and to the Earth through intentional practice and mentorship. Guided Passages seeks to do just that through all of its offerings. Whether it be Life Coaching for teens, young adults and parents, our in-person Youth Connect Program, or our Wilderness Rites of Passage trips, each program helps to remind participants of their own unique gifts, potential, and purpose, so that they can step fully into meaningful and authentic lives.
Led by Founder and Lead Guide, Jasmyne Chandler, our team of Guides have a deep calling to serve young people. We come from backgrounds in Education, Counseling, Life Coaching, Rites of Passage work, Wilderness exploration, Guiding, and Ceremony. We have a huge passion for working with teens and young adults. Offering them support, guidance, and mentorship is not only a calling; it’s our mission.
Guided Passages was founded in January 2022, but it’s built on decades of experience and a team of dedicated Mentors and Guides who bring extensive experience across education, life coaching, rites of passage work, wilderness guiding, and youth development.
Led by Founder and Lead Guide, Jasmyne Chandler, our team shares a deep calling to serve the next generation. We are united by a passion for helping young people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the natural world through intentional practice, mentorship, and meaningful experiences.
Whether through individual or group coaching, our Youth Connect Program, our Wilderness Quests, or Parent coaching and support, every offering is designed to:
Guided Passages seeks to expand access to underserved youth, offer more scholarships, and bring these life-changing experiences to more families and communities in the years ahead.
Guided Passages is now partnered with Restoring Lifeways / Youth Passageways as our Fiscal Sponsor, which means we are now able to operate as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
This is so exciting because it enables us to apply for Grant Funding and to receive tax deductible donations, so that we can improve access to all of our programs for Youth.
Providing access is so important to us at Guided Passages because we don’t want any young person to be left behind who could benefit from these programs.
When you donate to Guided Passages’ Scholarship Fund, it isn’t just a gift — it’s an investment in the future of our community. Together, we can ensure more youth grow into adulthood with confidence, purpose, and the ability to shape a brighter world for everyone.
Want to support our work today? Click the button below to make a tax-deductible donation!
Our Advisory Council is a circle of trusted community members who offer wisdom, guidance, and support as we grow our mission. Comprised of elders, past guides, community members, youth program participants, and rising youth leaders, the council ensures that diverse voices and lived experiences shape our work. While they don’t carry legal or financial responsibility, members play a vital role by providing feedback on programs, opening doors to connections and resources, lending credibility to our mission, and serving as advocates for teens and families in their communities. Meeting quarterly, we stay connected through updates and ongoing projects; the Advisory Council helps keep Guided Passages grounded, community-informed, and aligned with our vision.
Anne Stine
Max Reede
Silvia Talavera
Laura Marinelli
Mia Lacerte
Glenda Goodrich
Elle O’Brien
Sam Balka
Kerrick was raised in the Hill Country of Austin, Texas where he studied at the University of Texas. After some travel, he moved to the Rogue Valley of Oregon with a vision to farm and support youth. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Cultural Anthropology with Honors in 2004 at Southern Oregon University, and devoted over a decade supporting youth and their families navigate local and state social service programs. During this time, he and his partner cultivated a food forest at their home and founded Verdant Phoenix as an educational mini-farm in 2016.
Verdant Phoenix Farm became an expression of a way of life for Kerrick. He is interested in the relationships between humans, soil, microbes, plants/trees/shrubs, food, culture, time, and the web of life. As these elements inform his horticultural practice, Kerrick enjoys supporting landscapes, gardens, farms, and their people who are interested in belonging to the land.