The Equi Institute

Mission

To enrich the health of the trans, queer, intersex and gender expansive community through trauma-informed care, culturally-affirming services and social justice advocacy

Bottom Line for Portland

The Equi Institute's team of community health workers work directly with queer, trans, BIPOC, unhoused folks in Portland to facilitate access to services and resources. Since launching our Community Health Program in 2020, we have served over 500 individuals experiencing houselessness and organized 14 LGBTQAI2S+ and BIPOC-focused COVID-19 community vaccine events. If you believe that housing is healthcare, access for all identities, and human solutions for people living at the sharpest intersections of oppression, donate today. We can't do this without you.

Quote

“People don’t see me as another staff or someone superior, they see me as one of their own. It helps me open the door to get to know them better to be able to help them in more specific ways. They build trust in me, they share more stuff with me, and that’s one of the biggest things we need is trust. And that way I can know exactly how to help” - Lupe Medina, Community Health Worker

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The most important lesson from our work in primary care was that healing for our community must address the causes of health inequity. We focus our services around LGBTQIA2S+ folks, BIPOC, folks with significant mental health concerns, unhoused folks, people who use drugs, disabled folks, and elders. Equi’s staff are trained in the philosophy and practical application of the theories of cultural and gender affirming health care, Health at Every Size, Racial Justice, and Economic Equality, with a focus on community advocacy, education, and positive sociocultural change.

Incentives

Nectar

The first person to donate $50 or more on Thursday, November 17th will receive a gift card to Nectar Dispensaries. Nectar Cannabis has been serving Oregonians since 2014. At Nectar they come first, always. Their dispensaries are conveniently placed throughout Oregon and offer online ordering with Curbside Pickup. https://nectar.store/

Color Me Queer

The first 10 people to donate $20 on Wednesday, November 23rd will receive a Color Me Queer coloring book by Potter Gift. A coloring and activity book for adults, Color Me Queer is both a look at LGBTQIA+ history and a tongue-in-cheek love letter to the queer community. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/672028/color-me-queer-by-potter-gift/

Ram Cellars

The first 3 people to donate $100 on Tuesday, November 29th will receive an assortment of 4 wines from Ram Cellars. Ram Cellars works with some of the under-hyped Bordeaux varietals in Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, as well with Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Gruner Veltliner.  Utilizing neutral french oak or stainless steel aging to accentuate the true varietal characterictics of the grapes, they work to develop balanced, approachable wines that exhibit good acidity and aromatics.  They pick fruit earlier than some other wineries in order to ensure that our wines are acid forward and we typically produce dryer whites, rosés, and red wines that are authentic and straightforward! https://www.ramcellars.com/

Hip Chicks Do Wine

The first 5 people to donate $25 or more on Wednesday, December 7th will receive a $20 gift card to Hip Chicks Do Wine, Portland's oldest Urban Winery. Hip Chicks do Wine is the labor of love by owners and winemakers Laurie Lewis and Renee Neely. Their passion for wine was sparked by numerous visits to wineries and vineyards throughout Oregon. One day while enjoying a picnic (with wine of course) on the back of a pick up truck overlooking a vineyard one of them turned to the other and said, "We should make wine!". The other replied "It can't be that hard, men do it all the time!". From that moment on Laurie and Renee threw themselves headfirst into all things wine--reading books, making wine in their apartment, getting part time jobs at area wineries and taking winemaking classes. http://www.hipchicksdowine.com/

Business Partner(s)

Jam on Hawthorne

Jam has graciously offered to match the first $1000 in donations for our campaign! Jam on Hawthorne was voted Portland's Best Brunch every year from 2018 to 2022 in the Willamette Week Best of Portland Reader's Poll. Their delicious jam is available in jars to take home! https://www.jamonhawthorne.com/