OCOM is pleased to announce a grant award of $2,500 from The Autzen Foundation for our Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Health Care Access Project. The project, developed in partnership with Transition Projects, Inc (TPI), a downtown Portland nonprofit that supports people transitioning from homelessness into housing opportunities, will provide free group acupuncture treatments to individuals who access TPI’s Bud Clark Commons Day Use center.

Bud Clark Commons currently serves up to 500 people each day after being in operation only six months. Many of TPI’s clients are uninsured and have significant needs for medical care that can be difficult or impossible to obtain with no insurance and an at-capacity social service network. OCOM’s Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Health Care Access Project will bridge this gap by offering weekly treatments to TPI’s homeless clients, addressing chronic conditions and serving as a complementary treatment to counseling and other indicated support.

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture is effective treatment for the most common conditions affecting homeless populations, such as anxiety, insomnia, body aches and depression. Emerging research also indicates that acupuncture may be an effective adjunctive treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a prevalent condition among Portland’s homeless veterans.

With full funding in place, OCOM will be able to provide group acupuncture treatments to more than 1,200 people. You can join us in providing service and healing by making a contribution to OCOM – your support for our mission will help us continue to provide low-cost, effective health care, and support our efforts to help our most vulnerable Portland community members.

Donate today to OCOM’s Annual Fund.