Success Stories

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?

Anna

Pronouns: she/her

If you met me today, you might never imagine I spent countless nights sleeping under the Burnside Bridge.

Anthony

Pronouns: he/him

I often tell others that when I first came to the Outside In clinic for primary care, I was lost in my own life, seeking a greater sense of purpose, but without a clue where to find it. As a patient at OI, the dignity, compassion, and respect that I was shown by staff—from the folks at the front desk to the medical assistants to the medical providers—truly had a lasting impact on me and directly resulted in me wanting to get involved in helping my community. As an employee, Outside In has challenged me to believe in my own capacity to help others, provided me opportunities to grow both personally and professionally, and has fundamentally altered the trajectory of my life for the better.

Courtney

Pronouns: she/her

When I was just 16, I got pregnant and was left to fend for myself and my baby. After escaping domestic violence, my son Aidan and I lived in a tiny, two-door Honda Civic in Beaverton for months. Nobody wants to be in danger.

Thankfully, a friend told me about Outside In’s transitional housing program. Housing at Outside In is so much more than a roof over your head. The staff is helpful and amazing. They were always there for us anticipating our needs. Finally, we weren’t hungry anymore and we were safe.

At Outside In’s employment and education center, I was able to prepare for jobs and enter an accelerated Medical
Assistant program. I love being able to help people and make them feel even just a little better. I’m getting my associate’s degree online and my bachelor’s after that—then I plan to pursue a Registered Nurse program.

Today, things are looking great for Aidan and me. We’re in our own apartment, it’s beautiful, and I’m on my way to becoming a nurse.

Gregor

Pronouns: he/him

Gregor was born in Colombia and adopted by an American family. When he came out of the closet at age 17, his family disowned him. They believed being gay was a form of mental illness. Forced out onto the street, Gregor had nowhere to turn. Then he discovered Outside In.

Jason

Pronouns: he/him

My story goes back to the fall of 95.

Ollie

Pronouns: they/them

When you have a sickle cell anemia crisis, you feel like your blood and bones are on fire. I was a junior in high school, what happened to me was out of my control. After time in the hospital, including a transfusion, going back to live with family or friends meant dealing with trauma or domestic violence or substance abuse or homophobia. Every place I went to stay was bad for a different reason. At the same time, I was becoming self-aware, questioning my identity, learning about LGBTQ. But I didn’t know where to go. It was scary. 

I wanted independence and stability. I wanted to belong. I found Outside In. 

At Outside In, they understood what I needed. They helped me to build work experience, things to put on a resume, skills—a film project, and a hands-on microenterprise internship where we got to work with plants and sustainable agriculture. They provided housing that worked for me and nutritious food choices every day. They set up health insurance at the clinic for my blood work. 

Last spring, I got my first job as a Development Operations Engineer contractor for Nike, and I moved into my own apartment! I think about travel, and maybe writing a book someday. Thanks to Outside In, I finally have stability for myself and I see a whole world ahead of me. 

Ramad

Pronouns: he/him

When I fled my country, I was 15 years old. I didn’t want to flee, I had to flee. The government was beating and killing my people. By the grace of Allah, I lived.

Leaving my parents, my village, and all I knew, I joined 1,000 other Rohingyas in a desperate attempt to survive. We put our lives in the hands of human smugglers on the Indian Ocean. They broke their promises of safety and abandoned us. For three months we floated, running out of food and water, until the boat began to sink.

I watched helplessly as hundreds drowned. Women and children. Friends. In the end, only 450 survived. I was one of the lucky ones.

After three years and 15 interviews, the United States granted my request for refugee status and assigned me to Portland. I arrived last spring.

People like you, who support Outside In, make it possible for people like me to get help, to find hope. I thank you.

I feel safe at Outside In. I work every day with a tutor at Outside In’s school. I see doctors at Outside In’s clinic. Burmese police detained and beat me when I was 12, and when I walk I am reminded of my pain. I love the doctors, they are kind and respectful.

I love Outside In people. How they love us, care for us. The wonderful and fresh food, the health care, the accommodations, the hospitalities. People talking to me, listening to me. Changing lives. It is a great moment.

Because of you, I have help to keep alive the dream of a new life. Of course, it is hard to express… I crossed many countries and I lost so much. I want to study politics and journalism so I can change policy and share the history of the Rohingya people. We have been voiceless for many years. We are the people to stand for the rights of others.

Everyone deserves basic human rights, and to have hope.

Rei

Pronouns: they/them

When I first came to Outside In, I was struggling with severe mental health issues and suicidality. I was received warmly by all the staff I encountered and my doctor and behavioral health worker helped me realize I wasn’t alone. They got me started on medication, and connected me with the Outside In’s youth department. Through these connections I was able to get into school and graduate as a Certified Medical Assistant, and I started working at Outside In. Now I work as a Panel Manager helping our most vulnerable population, giving back to the community that I was once a part of.

River

Pronouns: he/him

When I first came out as trans and reached out to the community for help, everyone had something good to say about Outside In. I immediately felt heard and accepted by all the staff I interacted with. My doctor helped me start hormones without the hassle I’d heard from so many other trans people in other areas. Having just finished medical assisting school, I applied to Outside In to give back to the communities that helped make me who I am. I was sad to leave the clinic as a patient, but thrilled to join the team as a medical assistant.

Shay

Pronouns: she/her

“You’re not going to kick me out because I’m going to run away,” I told my mom. I was 16. I dropped out of school.