Outside In: Helping Break the Cycle Of Homelessness for Youth
Being homeless as a young and/or marginalized person brings much more challenges than there would be as an adult- while they may be able to stay at school for the day, during breaks or otherwise, it becomes a source of insecurity and fear for where they may be able to stay next. Some shelters, if any are near, may also only be catered to for adults, or any job opportunities they could have are next to none, certainly not a livable wage either. But some organizations, like Outside In- are here to help those youth.
Outside In is an organization that assists homeless youth and other marginalized people with breaking the cycle of homelessness while also being a valuable provider of health care and other health services. Though a lot of what they do spans beyond that, like helping young people find stable housing, providing services for the LGBTQ+, behavioral health, employment services, substance abuse help- and more.
Their success stories are definitely something to be looked at, as well as the other services they have on their site: https://outsidein.org/about-us/success-stories/
I will highlight this one, which I feel is a wonderful overview of how they can help homeless youth:
Adrianna
Pronouns: she/her
I didn’t have a stable home. When I hit the streets of Portland, I was 11. I thought I was part of a team. Prostitution was a way to get new shoes. I didn’t know what it was like to be a “normal” teenager, in the chess club or playing volleyball.
By the time I was 17, I didn’t trust anybody … except Outside In.
I got into the transitional housing program. I had good, healthy
meals every day. The staff helped me with classes, applying for an
internship, books, bus passes, even job interview clothes. The people at
Outside In reached out to me.
They were so welcoming. It was a healing experience.
The staff took my concerns seriously, and took a holistic approach. They protected me. They helped me understand and work with my depression, and drug and alcohol counseling.
Outside In always held that door open for me. They believed in me. I never imagined I would go on to college, but they helped me with that, too. I got my degree in social work, and I plan to get a master’s degree. I got a job with the Department of Human Services as a child permanency specialist, working with African American children. Who better than someone who has been there?
Outside In also takes donations, and if you want to support them and the work they do I encourage you to do so. They currently have a fundraiser going on at the moment as well, so do consider them.
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