History
In 1969, a group of medical workers, university graduate students, energetic counter-culture members and other concerned citizens gathered to explore ways to respond to some of the fallout of the 1960s, which included a growing number of youth and young adults who felt alienated and disenfranchised from the mainstream system. Many were runaways, living on the streets, and were not likely to access the usual services available despite their needs, among which were medical, legal, mental health and substance use.
Out of this effort came White Bird Socio-medical Aid Station (later White Bird Clinic), incorporated in February 1970 as a 501(c)3 non-profit agency. With the help of many volunteers, the group could rent a house, staff it 24/7, train folks in crisis intervention, hold medical clinics with doctors and nurses, offer legal advice to lawyers and paralegals, and guide drug experiences in a safe and supportive way. Word quickly spread that this was a place with caring and helpful people who didn’t ask for money and didn’t judge or lecture.
What began as a grassroots effort evolved over time from an experiment to a key agency in the community continuum of care. It became credible to the larger community and found funding from various sources, including federal, state and local governments and foundations.
White Bird continues to utilize volunteers in our programs and provides several quarterly training sessions to bring them in and teach them how to help us do our work.
We are committed to serving the community and the clients we serve, and we share a hope for a better world—we take pride in doing our part!