The Equi Institute

Curious about what Equi has been up to? Check out some of the work we’ve been doing and learn about ways to support us.

Equi’s team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) works directly with residents of the C3PO villages getting folks connected to insurance, primary care, behavioral health, and recovery support. These villages house the most marginalized members of our houseless community and include two affinity villages that hold a culturally-specific space for BIPOC and LGBTQAI2S+ individuals. And we are expanding! We are in the process of onboarding a new CHW, RN, and COVID Vaccine Event Coordinator. 

CHWs are the foundation of the work we do. Services are only useful if people feel comfortable accessing them; that’s what is so special about our CHW program. Each CHW was carefully chosen because they know how to authentically build trusting relationships with the villagers. CHWs also bring culturally relevant experience, such as speaking Spanish fluently, so villagers can see their identities reflected in the people helping connect them to care. 

Creating Conscious Communities with People Outside, C(3)PO, is a coalition that supports three villages that provide shelter and resources to houseless people. The villages were opened mid-April of 2020, prioritizing BIPOC, trans, gender-nonconforming, and queer people, disabled people, and people over 50 years old. This is a project organized by different grassroots organizations with support from the City and the Joint Office on Homelessness Services. Each village provides tiny homes with electricity and heat, showers, laundry, food, and community. People are able to physically distance and receive help getting connected to mental and physical health services.

You can read more about Equi’s transition on our blog here

You can read more about C3PO by checking out Street Roots’ C3PO archive or OR Humanities' write up 

If you believe that housing is healthcare, donate today! We can't do this without you.