FALL

2014

HOLDING HOPE TO CONFRONT A TROUBLING TREND

Rolling Stone draws on Outside In experience helping homeless gay teens

The story of Luke, a young man who found shelter, stability and hope at Outside In, appears within a compelling national feature about LGBTQ homeless youth in Rolling Stone magazine. Writer Alex Morris interviewed clients and staff at Outside In last spring as part of extensive research for the story.

More and more youth are rejected from their homes for coming out while still economically reliant on their families, Morris says. "The resulting flood of kids who end up on the street ... has been called a 'hidden epidemic.'" LGBTQ people make up five percent of the United States youth population overall, but roughly 40 percent of youth who are homeless. Rolling Stone feature

Bespoke employee Mara at her blender bike

Working for social JUICEtice

Pedal power provides a new option to learn work skills in our latest job training program, Bespoke.

Harnessing Portland's enthusiasm for bikes with an Outside In twist, Bespoke employs homeless youth to make and sell smoothies at several city locations using customized bikes equipped with blenders.

Bespoke's on-site training provides employment and introduces important small business principles.

The experience does more than build a resume and provide a job reference for participants, Executive Director Kathy Oliver says. "It can have a profound effect on their self-esteem and hope for the future." Oregonian Bespoke story

Hard-working youth flourish in education

"Strive once, strive twice, strive always for the future that will blossom."
Adrianna's words of encouragement joined a chorus of students overcoming homelessness and other staggering challenges to earn their GED.

Stephen, a young man who had been living under a bridge, described how he resolved to enter a substance abuse recovery program and with Outside In support went on to learn job skills and land employment. The tides turned when he decided "I didn't want to be a negative statistic anymore."

Of 23 homeless students graduating this year, an inspiring 86 percent earned college-ready scores.

At our graduation ceremony, participants urged each other to remember their accomplishments and believe in themselves as they move forward to achieve personal goals and stability. "Stay motivated, stay focused," said one of the grads, Karma. "You'll get there."

NEW HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM SAVES LIVES

When state laws expanded last year for naloxone, a medication which can revive someone overdosing, Outside In stood ready. Launching a naloxone training program the day the new laws took effect appears to have played a part in positive news: Multnomah County heroin-related deaths plunged by 29 percent from the previous year.

Since it began, the naloxone program has trained more than 900 people.

"The trainings do a lot for empowering people to protect themselves and their community," said Haven Wheelock, program coordinator. By keeping people alive, proper use of naloxone provides chances for treatment and recovery.

Multiple media outlets have reported on the success of the program so far, including Portland Business Journal, KGW, and Willamette Week.

Outside In

Helping homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health

and self sufficiency.