You’re Invited
Cascadia Health is proud to present a new event series, Let’s Talk About It! It’s a three-part series of conversations with Cascadia experts in the field of crisis intervention, mental health, and housing. These conversations bring together supporters and community members for dynamic discussions with a balance between systems-level and on-the-ground perspectives. We know our community has questions and Let’s Talk About It! is a hopeful place to find answers.
This year, we’re exploring:
How we support people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. We provide many options – a number to call, someone that will respond, and a place to go.
Mental health in Oregon and how integration (peer delivered services, wellness, and primary care) are all vital to addressing the region’s most pressing challenges. The inextricable link between healthcare and housing and the profound impact housing stability has on health outcomes.
RSVP now – space is limited, and advanced registration is recommended.
All events are free with a suggested donation of $20, cold weather gear, or personal and home care items.
Next Event
Housing is Healthcare
Housing Stability & Health Outcomes
- November 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
- 3036 NE MLK Jr. Blvd
Housing is Healthcare will discuss Cascadia’s strategic plan to address the housing crisis. We will talk about our integrated service delivery that prioritizes housing and health, early interventions, and preventative care that improve overall well-being.
Sponsored by:
Featured Speakers
Moderator & panelists for the next event, Nov. 20: Housing is Healthcare.
Moderator: Alison Dunfee – Senior Director of Community-Based Services
Alison has worked in social services in the Portland area for over twenty years. She has served the Latino community as a youth case manager in public schools, advocated for youth in immigration detention, and managed school-based services for El Programa Hispano, a local culturally specific agency. After obtaining her Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University in 2009, Alison worked with individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system. She has developed programs for children of incarcerated parents and served as the first MSW at a local public defender’s office.
As the Senior Director of Outreach and Mental Health Counseling, Alison oversees Cascadia’s mental health outpatient counseling programs, including community and health center-based services. In addition, she leads the work of Cascadia’s housing and homeless support services, including street outreach services to people experiencing homelessness and permanent supportive housing services.
Before Alison attended college, she was a professional ballet dancer. She danced in one season of the opera Aida with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and studied under Maria Tallchief, America’s first Native American prima ballerina. During her free time, Alison enjoys hiking, camping, and taking road trips with her family. You can also find her surrounded by plants and cats at home.
Adele Atwood
Adele is a Qualified Mental Health Associate, Traditional Health Worker, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor-R, and Peer with nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health, addiction recovery, and social services. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience, Adele offers compassionate, relatable support to individuals and families.
Having grown up in a family impacted by mental health and addiction, Adele brings a deep understanding of the barriers to care and stability. Her work focuses on serving those historically marginalized by traditional health systems. Over the past 16 years, Adele has led recovery groups, mentored individuals in early recovery, and connected families with housing, advocacy, and mental health resources.
As a dedicated community health advocate, Adele is proud to support Cascadia Health’s mission and collaborate with a team that values openness, growth, and meaningful engagement. Her approach is rooted in dignity, respect, and the belief that healing is possible for everyone.
April Urquidez, PMHNP-BC
April is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and U.S. Air Force veteran with over 11 years of experience in trauma-informed care and community psychiatry. She began her nursing career as a certified critical care registered nurse, working in high-acuity surgical trauma intensive care settings before transitioning into psychiatric care.
Today, April serves as a licensed provider on Cascadia’s Street Outreach Team, delivering direct psychiatric and medical services to individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illness and homelessness. She meets clients where they are—whether in encampments, shelters, or transitional settings—working to reduce barriers to care and build trust with individuals often excluded from traditional healthcare systems. April’s work supports stabilization, long-term recovery, and continuity of care, while also informing more humane, accessible, and person-centered systems. Her dedication to outreach and innovation makes her a powerful advocate for sustainable healthcare models that bring healing directly into the community.
Dylan Weeratunge
Dylan serves at Cascadia as Wellness Manager, QMHA, CADC I. Dylan has been at Cascadia for 7 years and held several positions, including Residential Skills trainer, Staffed Housing supervisor, and now Wellness manager at Outpatient. He has firsthand experience from his time at Cascadia witnessing physical and behavioral needs of the community and working toward solutions to improve services to ensure they are low barrier, trauma informed, harm reduction grounded and client centered.
Past Events
For info on past events in the Let’s Talk series, visit here!
WHOLE HEALTH. WHOLE LIVES. WHOLE COMMUNITY.
Would you like to become a sponsor of the Let’s Talk About It! series? Please contact give@cascadiahealth.org for more information or visit Give.