- Riverdale High School
- Service Opportunities & Calendar
Service Opportunities
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ANIMALS
AUDUBON SOCIETY OF PORTLAND
Description
The mission of the Audubon Society of Portland is to “inspire people to love and protect nature”.Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are offered a variety of opportunities designed to meet a lot of different interests and schedules. While there is almost always a wait list for volunteering in the Wildlife Care Center, there are lots of other ways volunteers can help. Visit their website, and complete an online application.
Deanna Sawtelle
dsawtelle@audubonportland.org
503-292-6855OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY
Description
The Oregon Humane Society rescues, heals and adopts more than 11,000 pets each year. They never place a time limit on how long cats, dogs and other pets stay at our shelter. OHS provides adoption, education, and animal cruelty investigation programs.
Volunteer Needs
Youth age 12-17 can join the Youth Volunteer program. Students interested in helping OHS can sign-up to attend a one-time, two-hour animal socialization visit. Volunteering will provide the animals with the attention they need and the social skills that help them get adopted.
503-416-5032
www.oregonhumane.org/get-involved/volunteer/youths-12-17/
COMMUNITY
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PORTLAND/METRO EAST
Description
Habitat for Humanity creates affordable homeownership opportunities by partnering with hardworking families and the community to build simple, healthy, affordable homes. Each Habitat homeowner helps build and purchase their home with an affordable mortgage. Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East has built over 340 homes for families in need.
Volunteer Needs
No experience necessary. Habitat for Humanity works year-round and have both indoor and outdoor volunteer opportunities available.
Marianne McClure
marianne@habitatportlandmetro.org
503-287-9529CEDAR SINAI PARK
Description
Cedar Sinai Park provides residential and community-based care to elders and adults with special needs, allowing them to live with comfort, independence and dignity. Elders and the most frail citizens have the right to control decisions made about their lives, and Cedar Sinai Park’s goal is to seek and implement new ways to support those decisions and provide meaningful life.
Volunteer needs
From helping with recreational activities to lending a listening ear, volunteers’ time is an essential gift to Cedar Sinai Park’s residents and to this community.
- Arts, Recreation & Socialization. Assist with activities ranging from ceramics, gardening, and games to reminiscence groups and more.
- Adventure Excursions & Local Outings. Join CSP for beach trips, casino outings, scenic drives, lunch & dinner outings, shopping, and community events.
- One-on-One Time. Read aloud to residents, come by for social visits, letter writing, or accompany residents on walks.
Holidays, Parties & Other Evening Events. Join CSP for parties & events, Shabbat & holiday services, and bingo.
Phoenix Barrow
phoenix.barrow@cedarsinaipark.org
503-535-4055
cedarsinaipark.orgCOMMUNITY WAREHOUSE
Description
Community Warehouse is the Portland metro area’s only nonprofit furniture bank. Through partnerships with over 200 social service agencies, Community Warehouse collects donated, gently used household goods and furnishings and distributes them to neighbors in need in our community.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers can help in the Furniture Bank, sorting and redistributing household goods and furnishings to neighbors in need. Volunteers can help by providing customer service in our Estate Stores, where they sell non-essential, donated household goods. The funds raised in the Estate Store support the nonprofit furniture bank.
Jessica Thompson
jessica@communitywarehouse.org
503-235-8786NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Description
Neighborhood House serves more than 18,000 people, including 628 children in three early-child- hood education programs. Ninety percent of the children in its Head Start pre-kindergarten program met or exceeded school-readiness goals in five out of six learning categories (including social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive and literacy).
The food pantry, the largest in Portland’s West Side, serves over 300 households each month and is 100% community supported.
Volunteer Needs
Serve in the food pantry! M-W 9-5 Th 9-8 Serve at Head Start and Youth after-school programming during the school year. Locations in SW & North Portland.
Jimmy DeBiasi
volunteer@nhpdx.org
503-246-1663 x2117
nhpdx.orgCOMMUNITY CYCLING CENTER
Description
Community Cycling Center offers community programs that get more of our neighbors riding bicycles. CCC teaches kids and adults how to ride safely, be their own bike mechanics, and get more confident behind the handle- bars. Learn about bikes while helping others gain access.
Volunteer Needs
You don’t need bicycle mechanic skills to begin wrenching; you’ll have a chance to become a Certified Volunteer Mechanic! If wrenching isn’t your thing, volunteers lead rides and safety clinics. Plus, CCC relies on volunteer support for communications and marketing, interpreting, recycling bike parts and much more.
volunteer@communitycyclingcenter.org
503-288-8864
communitycyclingcenter.orgRosewood Initiative
Description
Rosewood is a neighborhood space where you can help the community. Neighbors come here to interact with one another, work on projects and feel safe. Rosewood builds capacity in the neighborhood by helping people learn useful skills and by connecting friends, partners and resources.
Volunteer Needs
There are many opportunities from front desk help, to daycare, to helping with bike repair, to computer assistance.
jenny@rosewoodinitiative.org
503-208-2562
rosewoodinititive.org
EDUCATION
OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM AND CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
Description
OJMCHE uses a Jewish lens to teach about the need to uphold democratic values and foster human dignity. OJMCHE is a statewide organization, non-sectarian and non-political, and is a community gathering place with exhibits, public programs, and performances for all people. They are opening their new North Park Blocks location in June 2017.
Volunteer Needs
There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to engage with the museum and its visitors. They are a leader in social justice education hosting thousands of students annually.
Heather Brunner
hbrunner@ojmche.org
503-226-3600
ojmche.orgTHE CHILDREN’S BOOK BANK
Description
Children from low-income households enter first grade with an average of 25 hours of one-to-one book reading, compared with 1,000+ hours for children from middle-class homes. The Children’s Book Bank provides books to children in Portland-area households, giving families who may not otherwise have them the opportunity to experience the incredible joys and benefits of reading together.
Volunteer Needs
In order to move 95,000 books annually into the hands of children who need them most, volunteers are needed to organize book drives, repair once-loved books, and to help sort, bundle and deliver bags and boxes of books throughout the community.
Volunteer Manager
info@childrensbookbank.org
503-616-3981
ENVIRONMENTAL
WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER
Description
Willamette Riverkeeper is the only nonprofit dedicated to restoring, protecting and enjoying the Willamette River, including dozens of on-the-river events and volunteer opportunities every year, and continued advocacy for a cleaner, healthier river, including a major cleanup of the Portland Harbor Superfund site.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers of all kinds can help with river cleanup and restoration throughout the year, including Ross Island Paddle & Plants, monthly Trashy Tuesday river cleanups, and the annual Great Willamette Cleanup in October.
Marci Krass
marci@willametteriverkeeper.org
503-223-6418FRIENDS OF TREES
Description
Friends of Trees’ mission is to bring people together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces in Pacific Northwest communities. They strive to make the health, environmental, and financial benefits of trees accessible to everyone.
Volunteer Needs
Friends of Trees needs help planting trees! They plant every Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm between November and April across the greater Portland metro region. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes/boots. Gloves, tools and planting guidance provided, as well as breakfast treats and hot coffee/tea.
Jenny & Randi
Volunteer@FriendsofTrees.org
503-595-0213www.friendsoftrees.org/volunteering
FOREST PARK CONSERVANCY
Description
The Forest Park Conservancy protects and restores Forest Park. They maintain and enhance the park’s extensive trails network, restore wildlife habitat, and inspire community appreciation and stewardship of one of the largest urban forests in the United States.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers help us repair and maintain trails, build bridges, plant trees, and pull ivy and other invasive plants.
Robert Carr, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
rob@forestparkconservancy.org
503-223-544 9106
forestparkconservancy.orgFRIENDS OF TRYON CREEK
Description
The mission of Friends of Tryon Creek, in partnership with Oregon State Parks, is to inspire and nurture relationships with nature in our unique urban forest. They offer programs for youth and adults that foster environmental education and stewardship.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers support and lead Tryon Creek programs, both in environmental education and park stewardship. Take part in work parties, removing invasive species and building trails in our Stewardship Program. Youth volunteers can support camp counselors in our Nature Day Camps.
Lizzy Miskell
lizzy@tryonfriends.org
503-636-4398LOWER COLUMBIA ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP
Description
The Estuary Partnership protects and preserves the lower Columbia River for current and future generations of fish, wildlife and people. Together with partners, students and volunteers Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership restores habitat to bring back salmon, improve water quality and provide a wide range of opportunities for the community to explore and connect with local natural areas.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers help restore salmon habitat by planting trees or removing invasive species and litter in natural areas near streams and rivers in the Metro region. Volunteer events are generally on Saturday mornings and occur year round. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Samantha Dumont
sdumont@estuarypartnership.org
503-226-1565, ext. 245
estuarypartnership.orgSOLVE
Description
SOLVE involves thousands of Portland residents in projects to keep natural areas, parks, rivers and neighborhoods clean and healthy. Volunteer projects help protect and preserve the natural areas that make Portland unique, while connecting community members to each other and to the environment through service.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers take part in litter cleanup, community planting or invasive plant removal. No experience is needed; supplies are provided.
Kaleen Boyle
kaleen@solveoregon.org
503-844-9571, ext. 332
FOOD INSECURITY & NEEDS
URBAN FARM COLLECTIVE
Description
Urban Farm Collective accepts donated land and brings neighbors together to transform vacant lots into neighborhood food gardens for the purposes of education, community building and improving food security. They offer free garden-based workshops, garden apprentice positions and have created a unique barter system for the weekly harvest market. They also donate fresh produce to St. Andrews Church food pantry and Sisters of the Road to help feed the homeless.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are highly needed for garden work parties, garden apprentices, garden managers, working the barter market and transporting produce.
Holli Prohaska
urbanfarmcollective@gmail.com
503-320-4288OREGON FOOD BANK
Description
Join a fun, energetic 2-3 hour-long food repack shifts. Shifts run throughout the week in Portland and Beaverton, including weeknights and weekends.
Volunteer Needs
No special skills are required and training occurs on-site for garden and food repack shifts. It’s easy to sign up. Visit www.oregonfoodbank.org to learn more and see the schedule.
Laura Yeary
volunteer@oregonfoodbank.org
503-972-2993
HOMELESSNESS
CENTRAL CITY CONCERN
Description
Central City Concern works to end homelessness through housing, health care, and supportive employment services to those impacted by trauma, addiction, mental illness, chronic disease, and poverty. Their housing and health care choice models help more than 13,000 individuals a year find healing, stability, and hope for the future.
Volunteer Needs
Whether teaching healthy lifestyle habits, hospitably assisting waiting patients, assessing a resume, or compiling survey results, volunteers at CCC not only provide the housing, health, and employment programs with valuable time and flexibility, but also allow those served to receive the best care and attention possible.
Eric Reynolds
eric.reynolds@ccconcern.org
503-200-3893HUMAN SOLUTIONS
Description
The mission of Human Solutions is to help low-income and homeless families and individuals gain self-sufficiency by providing affordable housing, family support services, job readiness training and economic development opportunities.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are needed at both the no-turn away Family Center for adults with children and the newly opened Gresham Women’s Shelter. Volunteers will have the opportunity of getting involved directly with the Shelter guests – organizing movie or craft nights with children and adults and creating community between participants, staff and volunteers. From weekly Volunteer Leaders to one-time event volunteers, your presence makes a significant impact on day-to-day operations and creates influential change throughout their shelters.
Emilie Friedman
efriedman@humansolutions.org
503-278-1637
HEALTH & WELLNESS
OUR HOUSE
Description
Our House serves low-income people living with HIV in Oregon and southwest Washington. The continuum of care provides nursing, social work, occupational therapy, supplemental food, household goods, and clothing to hundreds of individuals each year. Our House is the only residential facility like this in the state.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteer roles include cooks, kitchen helpers, receptionists, food pantry companions, therapy garden facilitators, and special event helpers. They are looking for individuals who are interested in making a longer-term commitment of time and energy, and who treat people with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Chris McDonald
volunteer@ourhouseofportland.org
503-234-0175ON-THE-MOVE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
Description
On-the-Move supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing their community through healthful, meaningful and environmentally responsible activities.
Volunteer Needs
On-The-Move is seeking volunteers for spring and fall adult reading programs. No teaching experience necessary. All you need is a willingness to learn, listen and share. They are launching a new program that matches community members with individuals who experience disability to connect and build friendships.
Jackie Cunningham
Jackie@onthemoveonline.org
503-287-0346BOYS & GIRLS AID
Description
Boys & Girls Aid works to secure lifelong connections for foster child in Oregon. Between the ages of 0 to 23, Boys & Girls Aid has a focus on making sure every child has a lifelong adult connected to their future. There are more than 8,000 children in Oregon’s foster care system. They believe every single one of them deserves a family.
Volunteer Needs
The time volunteers spend at Boys & Girls Aid will directly support children in foster care while working to find their forever families. Volunteers can build welcome bags for children, do activities with youth in foster care or prepare a meal for them. There are a number of other volunteer positions so that there is something out there for everyone.
Britnee Sheridan
volunteer@boysandgirlsaid.org
503-542-2303RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
Description
RMHC helps Portland by providing a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at Doernbecher and Randall Children’s Hospitals, as well as the Kartini Clinic.
Volunteer Needs
There are many ways volunteers can help serve RMHC families, including: cooking meals, cleaning and organizing common spaces, sorting donations, children’s programming, front desk operations, music, pet and massage therapy, and much more!
Jordan Boustead
jordan.boustead@rmhcoregon.org
503-943-6672PASSPORT OREGON
Description
Passport Oregon’s vision is to take students and their families out of their day-to-day lives and out into nature. Passport Oregon partners with schools and communities to identify young Oregonians that lack avenues to adventures in Oregon’s outdoors. They gather the students into a cohort, and they travel together two times a month on various trips around Oregon.
Volunteer Need
Volunteers will help students in a multitude of ways. They help plan the logistics of trips, contact partners for donations, work with families, attend trips, and encourage education, empowerment, and exploration for our students.
Ariel Kanable
ariel@passportoregon.org
passportoregon.orgYouthline
Description
YouthLine is a 24/7 service. Teens are available to answer calls, text messages, and chats Seven days a week from 4-10 pm. Feel free to contact us with anything that may be bothering you. No problem is too big or too small for the YouthLine!
Volunteer Needs
Are you between the ages of 15-18 years old, are looking for a volunteer opportunity that could provide you with lifelong skills in leadership, problem-solving, and peer helping, and can commit to giving 3 hours a week for at least 6 months? If so, Youthline is looking for you! Consider joining us for our next 30 hour YouthLine Orientation.
(503) 244-5211
YouthL@linesforlife.orghttp://oregonyouthline.org/get-involved/
RECYCLING/SUSTAINABILITY
FREE GEEK
Description
Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential. Free Geek maintains that repair, refurbishment, and reuse are better than recycling. Instead of becoming scrap metal, an older computer can be updated and used again––in other words, refurbishment gives technology a second useful life.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteer in the Build Program and learn how to build their own computer to take home. (16+ years old) You do not need a computer background to contribute to Free Geek as a volunteer. Free Geek has multiple volunteer opportunities that teach people the ins and outs of computer hardware, and some software basics. Using donated computers, volunteers either recycle nonfunctional parts or test hardware to build machines for local nonprofits, other volunteers, or Free Geek’s thrift store. Each refurbished computer runs the (free and open source) Ubuntu Linux operating system. After rebuilding at least five computers, the volunteer can take one home for free.
Take a 30-40 minute volunteer orientation tour 11am or 4pm Tuesday-Saturday to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and to sign up.
Darren Heiber
503-232-9350 x 107
darren.heiber@freegeek.org1731 SE 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97214www.freegeek.org/ways-give/volunteer
ReBUILDING CENTER
Description
The ReBuilding Center diverts the region's largest amount of building materials from the waste stream—offering them for 50 to 90 percent of market value. Their mission is to inspire people to value and discover existing resources in order to strengthen the social and environmental vitality of communities.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers help with nearly every aspect of the organization, from helping to process donated materials at the North Mississippi Avenue location, to aiding our DeConstruction Services onsite, to market research and in-depth internships. As a community building organization, the ReBuilding Center is here to work for our volunteers, not the other way around!
Dave Lowe
dave@rebuildingcenter.org
503-467-4985
