Above, White Bird's CAHOOTS van workers can provide transport to detox and referrals, on-the-spot counseling, and help to domestic violence victims after the perpetrator has been removed by the police. Page 4 RAIN Summer 1996 Volume XV, Number 1 now that there are many old-timers experienced in settling issues. Despite its success, White Bird occasionally suffers because of its collective status. Unfortunately, despite its success, White Bird has occasionally suffered because of its collective status. One of the United States' largest and most well-known charitable agencies, United Way, refused_to fund White Bird for years because it wanted a single authority figure to deal with. White Bird members would respond, "Well, we have a Wednesday evening meeting you can attend." United Way finally dropped its requirement because of White Bird's excellent reputation and funded the medical clinic, one of the least controversial of White Bird's programs, and eventually it gave additional funding. Despite its counterculture origins, White Bird is increasingly gaining recognition from local government officials and other human service agencies because of their good quality work with difficult clients. Also, having trained a couple thousand people in its school, nearly three quarters of all local social service providers employ former White Bird volunteers or staff members. Many are impressed that White Bird also provides medical care in such diverse environments as rock concerts, university football games and the Oregon Country Fair (See RAIN, Volume 14, No.3). White Bird is working with an increasing number of unemployed and homeless people, yvho are often economic refugees from the declining timber industry. White Bird continues to survive financially through local government contracts, small client fees, and a little bit of luck. Because it also continues to rely on a large volunteer staff, only 10% of White Bird's budget goes to
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