Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Anthropology
Reader 1
Lara Deeb
Reader 2
Seo-Young Park
Rights Information
© 2025 Jada R Shavers
Abstract
Outside In's (OI) historical significance, mission, and current programs illuminate the organization’s focus on client-first practices and advocacy for their client’s autonomy in each decision. Taking OI as its key example, my thesis asks: How do nonprofits that provide services for those experiencing houselessness understand and mend the current “crisis” of houselessness?
To answer this question, the first section of this thesis explores violence and despair of the city through practices of exclusion and surveillance of houseless folk in the city. I then explore OI’s implementation of harm reduction care which expands these previous limits set on houseless individuals. Through the needle exchange program at OI, I establish OI’s position as advocates for houseless individuals. The final section analyzes OI’s community-approaches to care as they widen the scope of resources and invite Portlanders into their services as a direct example of how the organization is changing narratives about houselessness in the city. The image of OI that emerges is that of an organization that provides unique care to each person who walks through their doors. Ultimately, I argue that OI offers an alternative perspective to negative narratives about houselessness by presenting those experiencing houselessness as active members of the city who deserve space and care.
Recommended Citation
Shavers, Jada, "Homeless or Houseless: Examining houseless individuals as members of the city in Portland, Oregon at Outside In" (2025). Scripps Senior Theses. 2884.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2884
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
