Portland OIC’s range of services are unique in Portland and demonstrate a significant point of difference to many other local programs. We provide service to Portland’s most disenfranchised youth demographic.
Encompassing both High School Diploma/GED education and Work Training streams
We work to tailor elements of both programs for students to encourage them to reengage in their education and develop a career path relevant to their abilities and situations.
We believe in an open door policy
We offer open-door admission to any student in need who comes to us for help, with no admissions testing or complicated enrollment processes, to ensure we do not create a barrier to students with little family support.
We work with students across the full multi-cultural range
While a majority of our students are African-American and Hispanic, all students are welcome at POIC. Our student profile is 48% African American, 25% Hispanic, 20% Caucasian, 5% Asian and 2% Native American.
We service to Portland’s most disenfranchised youth demographic
The majority of our students come from households living below the poverty line. One in four of our students live in foster families and 15% are either homeless or sofa surfing.
A system of support and care for our students
We provide a “System of Care” to address life challenges allowing students to reconnect with their education despite difficult family and living situations.
A base in North Portland
Our North Portland location provides access for minority students from North, NE, and SE Portland, who are geographically and culturally different from downtown street youth and homeless populations.
A connection beyond High School
We maintain our connection with our students beyond graduation. We continue to support our students until the age of 25, and stable adulthood.