History of Community Outreach Inc.
History
Community Outreach began as a grassroots effort to serve the youth of Corvallis and Albany. After two years of planning and community input, the doors of “Sunflower House” opened in June 1971.
The operation of the agency was a completely volunteer effort focused on serving the youth of Benton and Linn Counties with crisis intervention, drug education, and a food bank. Over the years, COI’s services have evolved as unmet needs in the community have been identified and funding has been obtained to address those needs.
Today, over 40 employees and more than 350 volunteers work to provide a comprehensive, integrated array of the highest quality services to more than 7,000 individuals and families annually. What began as a small non-profit in a little yellow house in Corvallis is now the premiere social service provider for the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Timeline of COI Milestones
1969
Benton County Committee on Youth conceives of a service that would become COI that would fill community gaps to serve and assist youth who were drug-affected.
1971
Sunflower House opened with a donation from Oregon State University, fully staffed by volunteers, with services offered in Linn and Benton Counties.
1973
Sunflower House receives its first grant award.
Counseling and medical clinics begin.
1981
Sunflower House staff participates in the creation of CARDV led by Benton County.
Sunflower House takes on WIC distributions.
1982
Community donors and the City of Corvallis fund a nine-bed men’s shelter operated by Sunflower House.
1983
The Sunflower House officially changes name to Community Outreach Inc.
1989
COI was selected by a community-wide taskforce to operate the area’s first transitional shelter for families.
1991
Health services expand to Lebanon at Eastland Community Health Clinic.
1992
COI began offering emergency family shelter services.
1993
COI purchased property on Reiman Ave. in Corvallis, our current building.
1994
MultiCultural Assistance Program begins (and continues through 2004).
Albany InReach Clinic begins.
1995
A capital campaign began to build our new building.
1996
COI celebrates 25 years of service.
COI receives Oregon’s Governor’s Award for community partnerships and effective progressive collaborator.
1997
COI wins the Women in Leadership award from the United Nations for our emergency shelter services to women and children and helping women improve their lives.
Mediation services offered (ending in 2003).
1998
COI creates our alcohol and drug recovery program.
2001
COI begins to offer outpatient recovery programs.
2002
Capital campaign completed with over 800 donors. On August 19, Sunflower House closed and programs were relocated to our new facility.
2003
COI opens Mari’s Place, nature-based, trauma-informed child care to serve children and help parents.
COI receives an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services license.
Diabetes Education program begins.
2004
Veterans assistance program begins.
2006
COI receives a Mental Health treatment license.
2007
Medical Teams International and Northwest Medical Teams partner with COI to bring mobile dental vans to the community, creating an opportunity to offer experience to LBCC dental students.
2011
With a grant from Community Services Consortium, COI installs a 52 kWh solar array.
2012
COI wins Outstanding Campaign Award from United Way.
2013
COI gains Veterans Affairs and Oregon Youth Authority contracts to serve veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness and youth exiting the juvenile justice system.
2020
Working in conjunction with Public Health Agencies, COI instituted protocols to maintain stable shelter for our clients. We navigated challenges and adapted operations to accommodate the progression of the pandemic and retain our capability to provide as many services as possible.
2021
COI opens our Community Counseling center at our 4th St. location.
COI offers psychiatric care for the first time.
COI opens the Young Adult Dorm with 11 beds dedicated to those aged 18-24.
2023
Veterans Assistance resource navigation center moves to 4th St.