Outside In is a Federally Qualified Health Center, a licensed mental health and substance use provider, and a founding member of the Homeless Youth Continuum serving patients and clients in the Portland Metro Region. Since 1968, Outside In has transformed thousands of lives by helping break the cycles of chronic homelessness, poverty, and poor health among Portland’s LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, those experiencing homelessness, migrants, and the underserved. Our health clinics and young adult programs strive to meet people where they are and provide safe, affirming spaces for our community to receive judgment-free care and support.

The majority of our clients are housing insecure and many experience unsheltered homelessness. We work with individuals who have often struggled to be served well in more traditional clinical treatment settings. Our model uplifts the dignity and beauty of humankind and allows for long-term relationships and flexibility in supporting clients to meet their goals. We believe that nurturing a strong community is critical to the provision of equitable and anti-racist services. We adopt a team approach and collaborate across discipline to support our clients. The impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic, climate change, and systems of oppression weigh disproportionately on the communities we serve. While this agency’s work involves sitting with people through significant pain and loss, we also witness an unbelievable amount of strength, resiliency, and beauty.