HomePlate’s story began with home-cooked meals in church basements and expanded to outreach across the Washington County community. Over time, this developed into HomePlate’s Outreach program and one of the first ways youth interact with HomePlate. Outreach workers actively look for youth experiencing housing instability in various locations, camps, and through word of mouth from adults also experiencing housing instability. 

“It’s pretty common for young people to get to know HomePlate first through outreach, then start to visit Drop-In as they start to feel a little more comfortable around us.” said Lucy, the outreach coordinator. 

Outreach workers’ days range from checking in with youth who they have an established relationship with, or meeting new youth who may have never heard of HomePlate before and letting them know about the various services we provide. 

So far in 2023, the outreach team had 350 unique youth contacts, which is a 100% increase since last year. The outreach team has shared thousands of necessary supplies with young people, including over 600 bus tickets, 140+ camping supplies, 500+ snacks/meals, over 500 hygiene/basic needs items.

“So many youth are doing everything right,” outreach worker, Theresa, said. “But the cost of rent is too high and housing wait lists are too long, working as much as they can and going to school - they’re still facing all of these barriers.”

One of those interactions was with a youth whose grandparents sent her to Portland. When Theresa first met the youth, she was able to help the youth by connecting her to resources and sharing where Drop-In is located for a hot meal, shower, or a place to do laundry. 

HomePlate is the only outreach and drop-in organization for youth under the age of 18 in Washington County.  While outreach workers are limited by outside barriers, they work tirelessly to help point the youth to the right resources and help them meet their basic needs and community. 

“There aren’t many rules and expectations [with outreach]; it’s very youth-led.” Theresa reflected. “I let youth know there is no timeline. You can still connect with us if there is a time where you are feeling unstable, even if you have housing.”

To help support our outreach program, donate today.