Just out., February 15, 2002, Page 24, Image 24

24 J u s * o u t » tebruary 15. 2002
open
Outside In
welcomes
queer and
questioning
youth to
a new home
and expand into the space.
Last October, Outside In
broke ground on a new $5
million building—just down
the block but in many
aspects worlds away from
where it was. Now, with
about 27,500 square feet, the
four-story structure gives
Outside In more than a little
elbowroom.
“A ll of Outside In’s serv­
ices will, for the first time,
be offered at one site,”
explains Oliver with a sense
of satisfaction. “This one-
stop service site for hom e­
by Timothy Krause
less youth will provide not
only housing but a state-of-
the-art medical clinic, case
Photos by Marty Davis
management, an employ­
ment resource center, day
program and both alco-
ucked away in the back of a small,
hol/drug and HIV preven­
old Victorian hom e was Kathy
tion services. Programs in
O liver’s office. U p the creaky
this facility will offer
stairs, down a narrow corri­
sound,
long-term
dor, past the copier and
solutions for Port-
behind the file boxes. The path to its
land’s
hom eless
executive director’s desk illustrated
youth.”
where Outside In was— literally and
Located on 13 th
figuratively— until last m onth,
Avenue facing Interstate 405, the
when the agency serving Port­
building’s courtyard displays
lan d’s hom eless youth finally
original artwork by Outside In
became a homeowner.
clients and Portland artists,
Outside In had been housed
including a vibrant and
primarily in two near-dilapidated
colorful see-through mural
tum -of-the-century homes on ^
across the front exterior of
the edge of downtown Portland.
the building. The utilitarian
The space was cramped and uncomfortable.
structure creates a raw, urban dynamic that is
The buildings were in disrepair and ineffi­ reflected indoors as well. For example, the
cient. And the agency’s landlord, First U nitar­ lobby is both functional and welcoming,
ian Church, wanted to demolish the buildings
while the colorful, offbeat tile floors convey a
T
message that this is not a conventional clinic
or social service agency.
To some, the move might be no more than a
change of address, but to Oliver, her staff and
their clients, it brings a sense of pride and
accomplishment.
“It’s an incredible identity shift,” observes
A nn Hinds, manager of Outside In’s risk edu­
cation department. “For me, the building
means that the people of the city of Portland
are showing respect for the clients we serve by
providing for them in the best way possible.
W hat it means for the clients is
the idea that people care about
them and care about their lives.”
O v tS id e h , ¡r S id c o u t,
O
n the second
floor of the new
facility, an open room
with large windows
provides
generous
space for group activi­
ties. Adjacent is a
com m ercial-grade
kitchen offering cli­
ents breakfast and
lunch, so hunger is
not a barrier to par­
ticipation.
Else­
where, kids log on to
computers, participate in health
education workshops, join a bi­
cycle repair program or take part
in sports and arts activities.
Outside In describes it as a
safe environment where kids—
some traumatized and most dis­
trustful— begin to build support­
ive relationships with adults. Last year, the
organization’s day program supported about
500 youth in their transition away from living
on the street.
For Outside In’s eight service coordinators,
most handling 15 clients each, the integration
of all programs under one roof will make it
easier for them to connect kids with services,
such as crisis counseling, as well as basic
resources, including use of a phone, a mailing
address, bus tickets and vouchers for food,
clothing and haircuts.
Together with the staff members, youth
develop personalized plans for bettering their
lives. In fact, before kids are accepted into the
program, they demonstrate their commitment
by undergoing an intake service assessment.
A nd before re­
ceiving housing
assistance, they
must be partici­
pating in educa­
tion or em ploy­
ment goals.
“Most of them
choose
employ­
ment because they
want money,” Oliv­
er notes, “but I wish
more
of
them
would choose edu­
cation because I
think that gives them the best shot." Such goals
often mean working toward a general education
diploma but also can include applying to col­
leges and securing financial aid.
Outside In’s employment resource center
now is located in the basement of the new build­
ing, a sizable room with a clever design allowing
light from outside to enter the subterranean