PDX Peers is a grassroots nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, committed to supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities through trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and culturally sensitive care. We specialize in peer-led, street-level outreach and resource navigation, assisting individuals in accessing essential services such as housing, medical care, harm reduction tools, and post-housing support. With this proposal, we are requesting funding to expand our direct services capacity, support staff, and strengthen infrastructure to meet increasing demand. At PDX Peers, we believe that going above and beyond should be the standard in social services.

Organizational Background
Formerly the Old Town In-Reach Program, which lost its county funding in 2025, PDX Peers was founded to carry forward this critical model of community care. The Old Town In-Reach Program, originally created by Scott Kerman of Blanchet House, demonstrated how much impact a small, low-overhead team could achieve when services were trauma-informed, flexible, and built on relationships. When funding was cut, the need in Portland did not disappear. PDX Peers was formed by former In-Reach staff and community advocates to ensure that no one was left behind. Our community care specialists are not just providers — they are survivors, advocates, and Bridge builders with lived experience. This gives us deep credibility and trust within the community. We offer:

Direct outreach to unhoused, underrepresented and under-resourced individuals
Medical and recovery system navigation
Shelter placement, post-housing stabilization, and eviction prevention
Culturally rooted, gender-affirming care
Community engagement and education

PDX Peers operates from a “care without conditions” philosophy, honoring autonomy, dignity,
and self-determination while avoiding punitive or compliance-based models of care.

PDX PEERS: support without judgement, care without conditions.

PDX Peers is fiscally sponsored by Harbor of Hope