Hands On Greater Portland

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Children's Book Bank

2011-12-02T17:51:00.001-08:00

There is an old Ukrainian folktale where a puckish young lad loses a mitten in the forest. While the boy blissfully romps about the snowy woods, a mouse takes refuge from the cold in the boy’s wooly mitten. One by one, different forest creatures emerge from the chilly forest and insinuate themselves into the ever-expanding mitten. The over crowded mitten finally bursts and the animals are again left to fend for themselves in winter’s bitter chill.

At its core, The Mitten is a story about the difficulty of sharing limited resources.

Even in this digital age, books are everywhere we turn, and for many of the fortunate among us, tales like The Mitten line the seemingly endless shelves of bookstores. But in neighborhoods that live in poverty, books are few and far between with one book for every three hundred children. That is one book passing from one pair of eager little hands to the next until, like the fabled mitten, only shreds remain.

Enter the Children’s Book Bank, a three-year old non-profit organization committed to putting books into the hands of children before they hit kindergarten. At no charge, the CBB collects, repairs, packages and distributes used books to needy families. A few times a week, a dozen Hands On Greater Portland volunteers gather at the CBB in northeast Portland for book cleaning parties.

This evening, former Hands On Volunteer Robin Anderson, now the CBB’s operations manager works alongside Hands On Greater Portland volunteer leader Ben Pike to help make old books new again for young children in need. But before the work begins, the volunteers briefly introduce themselves and name their favorite children’s book. That quick round robin makes clear just how ingrained the works of Theodore Geisel, Shel Silverstein and Margaret Wise-Brown are in the American consciousness.

“Most people here bond through books, so naming your favorite kid’s book is a perfect way to break the ice before getting to work,” says Anderson, a library and information sciences graduate from the University of Wisconsin.

The sorting room at the Children’s Book Bank feels less like a bank, and more like Santa’s workshop. A large group of tables is gathered toward the center of the room displaying the tools of the trade: scissors, stickers, tape, spray bottles, dust cloths, rubbing alcohol and enormous bottles of Goo Gone stain remover. The perimeter of the room is lined wall to wall with every sort of child’s book crowding the shelves. Books are sorted and stacked into towering boxes filled with chapeau-donning cats, curious monkeys and rabbits bidding the moon adieu.

Anderson isn’t kidding when she says most of the cleaning session volunteers bond through books. Without the spray bottles and scissors, the group could be mistaken for an impromptu literary society.

“None of us are shy when it comes to showing our passion for books,” says volunteer Sandy Axel, a Buffalo, N.Y., native, and self-described “empty nester” who has lived in the Portland area for 25 years. Axel now volunteers sorting and stacking books for the CBB, but got her start with CBB at the cleaning parties. “It’s definitely more fun when different generations get to talking about what they read as children.”

Anderson says cleaning party volunteers are typically come from pretty diverse group ages and backgrounds. She adds that it’s also common for entire groups to volunteer en masse for a cleaning session, “Scout troops, a class of middle schoolers, even some birthday parties show up.”

The Children’s Book Bank with the help of Hands On Volunteers have made strides toward closing the gap on that grim one-for-300 statistic. The CBB delivers 300 to 500 backpacks to needy kids each month. Each backpack is stuffed with 16 books ranging from picture books to early chapter books. In 2010 the CBB delivered nearly 52,000 picture books to needy kids, many of them Headstart preschoolers.

That’s tens of thousands of books that might see a landfill or get boxed away in an attic, landing in a child’s hands instead. Hands On Greater Portland volunteers play a big role in that effort, comprising over 25% of the CBB’s volunteer base.

“The passion for stories and reading begins before kids are three years old. You have to get children started early. Getting those first books to kids in kindergarten is just too late.” Says volunteer Jeannie Fagnan. Fagnan got her start at the CBB as a Hands On volunteer, and has her M.A. in education specializing in children’s literature.

“It’s not just a love of reading that a book can open up to a kid,” adds Fagnan, “some of these books have fantastic illustrations that can introduce a child to the world of art.”

“Portland is a big city, the quality of some of the books we receive are amazing,” says Fagnan, “There simply is no reason those books shouldn’t be in a kid’s hands.”

Volunteer Leader Profile: Dannon Raith

2011-11-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Hands On Greater Portland volunteers buzz about thelobby of Portland’s First United Methodist Church as trilling woodwinds,plucked strings and sonorous horns echo from the church’s stunningwood-paneled, stained-glass sanctuary.

A few times a month, arts-loving Hands On volunteers helpthe Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra prepare for concerts. Tonight before400 plus enthusiastic arts lovers, the orchestra plays selections of Elgar,Mahler and Sibelius in a show called “Autumnal Reflections.”

Hands On volunteer leader Dannon Raith, 31, checks ticketsand hands out programs at the entrance of the sanctuary while eager concertgoers file in with tickets in hand. The other volunteers sell refreshments orguide concertgoers to will call and a pre-concert auction toward the back ofthe lobby.

We talked with Raith, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, aboutvolunteering with Hands On Greater Portland, and how he came to be a volunteerleader for the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

Hands On GreaterPortland: So, what brought you west?

Dannon Raith:

My brother has lived in Portland since I was eleven yearsold. I originally moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2009 to found a mediacompany in Tacoma. After my partner relocated to Washington D.C., I moved toPortland to be near family. I’ve always had a fondness for Portland, and I loveit more every day.

Hands On:

What drew you to volunteerism?

DR:

Since college I’ve always maintained a level of communityinvolvement being involved in student government, founding a film club andmanaging a film festival. It was through my work in Tacoma that one of ourclients had a mission of creating positive, meaningful change through socialentrepreneurship. It put me in touch with hundreds of non-profit, sociallyminded businesses and organizations, and it shifted my interest toward thenon-profit sector.

Hands On: Howdid you hook up with Hands On Greater Portland?

DR:

Google. I had been researching ways to become involved inmy community. Hands On was an excellent resource because it allowed me to workwith and get to know many different non-profit organizations in Portland.Through Hands On I’ve worked with the Partnership for Safety and Justice, SCRAP(an organization focused on theenvironment and sustainability) and JOIN(an organization focused on transitioning the homeless to permanent housing), toname a few.

Hands On:

What drew you to volunteering for the orchestra?

DR:

Free symphony tickets! I’ve always enjoyed going to thesymphony. I love that a large number of musicians work in concert to bring tolife something that was written many years ago. It’s kind of magical if youthink about it. I’ve attended quite a few Columbia Symphony performances and Ialways come away impressed with the level of musicianship and professionalism.They’re often performing more obscure pieces, pieces one rarely gets the chanceto hear, and because they are a non-profit, they’re able to keep their ticketprices affordable. It’s one of the pleasures I get from volunteering, knowingthat I’m directly part of keeping this kind of experience affordable to thecommunity.

Hands On:

How long do you see yourself volunteering?

DR:

I think involvement in ones’ community is something we allyearn for in one way or another. It’s human nature to pitch in for the good ofsome larger cause, to work. I am certain I will volunteer for things in mycommunity for the rest of my life, and as long as I’m in Portland, I willcontinue to volunteer through Hands On.

Hands On GreaterPortland offers a huge diversity of volunteer opportunities. You can helpadvocate for a prisoner’s rights by volunteering for the Partnership for Safety& Justice, or help make our community sustainable by rescuing art suppliesfrom the landfill with SCRAP, or help a homeless person get off the street andinto a home through JOIN. Search for hundreds of volunteer opportunities atwww.handsonportland.org.

Project Spotlight: Get Artsy With Refugee Kids

2011-10-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

They swirl around the courtyard kicking soccer balls or playing an impromptu game of tag. Kids immersed in the graceful art of play. Every minute or so one of them peels away from the group to peer through the glass doors, and as the clock nears 4:30, more and more of them gather at the doors. They spy through the glass, with little hands shielding glinting eyes to take in the tubs of art supplies.

In conjunction with Catholic Charities, every Friday afternoon a dozen Hands On Greater Portland volunteers meet at Kateri Park in Southeast Portland. They help focus the boundless energy of young refugee children on creative art projects.

“These kids are a lot like any kids you might meet,” Elisabeth Gern, Kateri Park's Resident Services Coordinator, says glancing and smiling toward the door, “and then again, they are totally different.”

Most of the children here are sons and daughters of Somali refugees, born here, but still walking the cultural tightrope between maintaining homeland traditions while assimilating into American schools. Some of the girls wear colorful hijabs, the traditional headscarves of the Muslim faith.

It’s 4:30 and the doors fly open, the children rush to take their seats next to the adults. A few of them settle next to New Jersey native and returning Portlander, Annie Tabachnick. Tabachnick, 25, recently moved back from Chicago after getting her M.A. in Art Therapy, and to her this weekly Hands On opportunity was a perfect fit. Still, she noticed right away how “Get Artsy with Refugee Kids!” went beyond just the “artsy” part of that title.

“It was pretty wild, the first time I got to just play with the kids, instead of doing art therapy with them,” says Tabachnick, “They sure have a lot of energy and really seem to enjoy having the volunteers there. It felt good to have some good old-fashioned play.”

In less than an hour Tabachnick and her group of kids have completed their art project, fashioning construction paper into colorful fish and turning pencils, string and paper clips into a fishing pole. In fact, Tabachnick’s group has gone one better, creating a little undersea world complete with seaweed and other sea creatures.

The kids punch holes in the fish with the intent of catching them with their pencil poles and paper clip hooks.

“I’ll do this as long as I can,” says Tabachnick who has been involved in Get Artsy with Refugee Kids for several weeks, “It gets better each time and I love getting to know the kids, and they really seem to enjoy getting to know the volunteers.”

A little hand carefully lowers her line into the imaginary briny deep, shifting her pole around the fish she has made. Gently, she nudges the hook into the fish.

A smile breaks across her face. She’s got a bite.

--Michael Halstead
Volunteer Storyteller, Hands On Greater Portland

See the wonder of Kateri Park for yourself. Sign up for a project today!

Bank of America selects Hands On Greater Portland for its prestigious Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

2010-12-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

Hands On Greater Portland is excited to receive recognition as part of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, which recognizes, nurtures, and rewards community-based organizations, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities. Bank of America has named Hands On Greater Portland a 2010 Portland Neighborhood Builder, the nonprofit category of the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. The bank is awarding Hands On $200,000 over the next two years as part of the initiative as well as the opportunity to participate in a Bank of America Leadership Program.

Bank of America’s support will help Hands On respond to record numbers of volunteers at a time when nonprofits are looking for additional volunteer support. Hands On Greater Portland is at the center of volunteering in the region, making 24,000 connections a year between volunteers and opportunities to serve with more than 400 nonprofits, schools and community organizations.

Bank of America’s funding is part of an ongoing effort to stimulate economic vitality in Portland and in communities across the nation. The bank has made a $3.15 million investment in the Portland region since 2004 through the NEI program alone.

In addition to Hands On Greater Portland, Proud Ground was also named a Neighborhood Builder by Bank of America. Proud Ground is a nonprofit that creates more affordable homeownership opportunities in Portland.

Update: The Oregonian recently published an article about the funding.

Cookies From The Heart

2010-10-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

It’s a well known fact that food prepared with love tastes better. And sometimes it takes a child to remind us of that. This juicy remembrance came back to us during one of our Boomer Affinity Group meetings at Hands On. Once monthly a group of volunteers meets at Hands On to share our volunteer experiences and to deepen our understanding of community service. And this particular month we each thought back to our childhood passions, recalling what we most adored doing with our time. One of us loved to bake, another entertained her parents with her short stories, and yet another loved artistic expression. It was a synergistic moment as these tales converged into an exquisite opportunity to give back to others in the year 2010 in Portland, Oregon.

On a Sunday afternoon, many of our Affinity Group members gathered in a kitchen giving rise to 240 home baked cookies, yes that’s 20 dozen! Six cookies were lovingly packed into each decorated bag with a written note expressing care and good wishes. Their childhood passions for baking, writing and art converged with their willingness to give back. Then on Friday evening, one of the cookie bakers packed these 40 bags of sweets into her car and delivered them to the homeless at Operation Night Watch. She unloaded the goods and before returning from parking her car, the prizes were claimed and consumed. These homeless adults, hungry for many things, grew back into the eager children who know that food prepared with love tastes better.

Karen Beal
Community Engagement Affinity Group Facilitator

The Year of Volunteer

2010-09-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

By Krista Collins

It’s 5:30 am. My alarm clock goes off. I turn it off in a groggy, half-awaked state. Rolling out of bed, I fumble around to find a half-decent pair of jeans and a t-shirt, slap on a pair of tennis shoes and make my way towards the bus stop. For the next few hours, my Saturday morning will be spent at Cathedral Park, lending a hand for one of Ethiopia Project's 5-10k run events. Stopwatch in hand, I shout out times to the recorder as the runners cross the finish line. They then toss their shoes to the side, which will later be cleaned and sorted for donation to aspiring athletes in Ethiopia.

The weekend after that, I found myself on a camping trip teaching young girls survivor skills at Silver Falls State Park. I became well-cultured in the current media fascinations of 10-year old girls and also learned how to make an awesome cherry cobbler with cake mix, a can of Sprite and a cast-iron skillet. I then spent the next weekend obliterating poor unsuspecting archaic printers to harvest the parts for donation at Free Geek, a local non-profit focused on building computers for those who wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise.

This was a typical month of my life throughout 2009.

As a personal resolution and a goal to best put into practice the idea of compassion with a focus on giving back, I created a goal for myself to participate in at least one volunteer project each week, for the duration of a year. This came to a total of 54 projects, most of which I signed up to attend through Hands On Greater Portland.

My evenings and weekends became hectic, as I jaunted from one end of the city to the other. Some projects fell admittedly more on the enjoyable side, such as helping out at auctions and banquets (thus receiving delicious free food afterwards). Some projects, on the other hand, involved cleaning toilets or standing out in 18 degree weather to sell Christmas trees. With no hat.

Along the way, though, I met a lot of fascinating and somewhat quirky individuals. There was, for instance, the elderly war veteran that schooled me on the correct usage of a mop while I was cleaning up O’Bryant Square during Potluck in the Park, one of Portland’s largest outside meal services.

“You see,” he started, “When I was stationed on the U.S.S Missoura’, I was in charge of moppin’ the deck. The trick is to make the mop work for YOU!” He swayed the mop back and forth, and I still use his technique--it really works!

Then there were the discussions with other volunteers, such as the chat I had with my brochure partner at Mt. Tabor’s 100th Anniversary. A woman in her sixties, she had traveled all over the United States and had even lived in France for a few years, her children receiving a cross-cultural experience as well as becoming fluent in both English and French. While she and I greeted visitors, I mentioned to her how I was lamenting the fact that I was in my mid-twenties, with no husband or children on the immediate horizon and how much I fretted over the “freedom” I would have to give up when the time came.

"Don't worry about it" she said. "You're never too old to experience things. Look at the life I've lived, and look at the life I'm living now. My husband and I have a roadtrip planned this summer across the states; you never lose the chance to enjoy life at any age."

Some of my experiences also personified the thin line that often exists between financial security and homelessness. While I plopped a serving of spaghetti onto a plate one night at the Union Gospel Mission, one of the guests opened up to me about his current hardships. He was clean-cut, mentally sound and friendly in personality, with many of his belongings packed away into a local storage shed; he carried his daily necessities with him in his backpack. The job he had that provided him with income and secured housing had fallen through, so he was now homeless and taking refuge in shelters. He cried and shook my hand, thanking me for simply putting some donated food on his plate. To me it wasn’t a big deal, but to him it was a noted act of kindness and a free meal for which he was very thankful.

There are many other stories I could tell while I followed through on my resolution; it was truly a rich and rewarding experience, to the point that one article could never summarize adequately the personal growth I gained from this. Volunteering has now become a regular part of my life, and has helped me to appreciate the simplest of tasks as well as to broaden horizons when meeting those that live outside my typical realm of interaction. I have even become a Volunteer Leader for Hands On Greater Portland. I encourage anyone who is interested in exploring new personal avenues to give volunteering a try. You never know who you’ll meet or what stories you’ll come away with.

World Class Volunteer Knitter

2010-09-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Volunteer. Volunteer Leader. Hands On liaison. World Class Knitter! Douglas has been volunteering monthly with Knit for Newborns for the past two and a half years. At Knit for Newborns volunteers get together to share knitting patterns, help new knitters learn the ropes, and donate the items they have been working on throughout the course of the month. The donations go to Virginia Garcia Health Center, a low income clinic, for newborn babies. Volunteers knit an array of items including blankets, onesies, mittens, socks, sweaters, and dresses. Volunteers” ooo and ahhh” over each other’s donations and look forward to the next time they meet to share their newly crafted items.

I met Douglas when he was working at an event representing Hands On. It was a pretty low key event which can be frustrating on a Saturday morning. However Douglas seized the opportunity and stood in front of the Hands On table ready to engage with event goers and of course…knitting. Douglas is one of our Hands On leaders, our voice in the community, who shows incredible support for our projects through his quiet leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication.

--Robyn Hoppes

Summer's still overflowing with opportunities to help out in the community!

2010-08-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

TLC for the back-to-school crowd

Community Care Day with Portland Public Schools: CALLING ALL NEIGHBORS! Grab your gardening gloves and help prepare schools to welcome students back to class this fall.

Paint It Up At LEP High: Add a much-needed fresh paint to the walls in time for the students’ return to school!

Jason Lee School Beautification: Come one, come all to Jason Lee’s monthly School Beautification volunteer event!

Spruce up the School for Marysville at Rose City Park Students: Help prepare this refurbished school for the kids that were displaced from their original school building when a fire hit last November.

Get outdoors, while that sun’s still a’shining

Beaverton’s Giving Gardens: Get off the couch, forget about the mall and come out and join our group of garden crazy volunteers; experience not required.

Keep Memories Beautiful at the Portland Memory Garden: Help prepare the Portland Memory Garden for another season of meaningful outdoor experience for individuals and caregivers coping with memory loss disorders

Baldock Rest Area Restoration Project: Reclaim a forest and help recreate recreation along the I-5 corridor.

Summertime means community events galore!

Science Days at OMSI: Answer questions and direct the crowds during one of four packed days of putting the fun in science!

Clackamas County Fair's Safety Streets: Hand out “junior” drivers licenses as you help kids learn about traffic safety at the Clackamas County Fair.

Sunday Parkways – Southeast Portland: Train up as an intersection superhero and help ensure the safety of the 20,000 folks who participate in this amazing community event.

Senior Movie Night at the Portland Memory Garden: Help with set-up/take down and assist senior movie-goers to safely arrive at the garden for this annual entertainment-filled event.

Alberta Street Fair Needs You!

Have fun and give back at Alberta’s annual street fair, which will benefit the Community Cycling Center this year.

Walks & Runs & Fundraisers, oh my!

African American Health Coalition Wellness Walk: Help promote wellness for African Americans who live in Portland at this dance-music-and-healthy-food-filled event!

Pirate Fun Run – Battling Autism: Get your “Arrrrr” on in the early hours of the day, helping with set-up or clean-up of this awesome event

Africa Bridge Farm-to-Table Dinner: Have you felt the allure of African drums? Have you seen an African dance group perform as the sun sets in a rural setting? This is your chance!

Chimp Fest 2010: Laughing Planet Café, a family fun zone, and music… all for the love of chimp orphans in Cameroon. Need we say more?

Creatives Give Back

2010-08-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Burk Jackson kneeled in front of the small, shy child, his eye framing her face in his viewfinder. She was nervous and fidgety, looking away at first. Changing his angle, he coaxed her eyes to meet the lens. He was determined to get a good shot – her future life depended on it.

As a volunteer with the Heart Gallery, Burk used his camera and his professional background as a photographer to help the organization capture the images it needed most – those of hard-to-adopt orphans.

“I could see it in her eyes that she didn’t know who she would be calling ‘Mom’ or where she would be living at any given moment. It was a challenging shoot for me, emotionally and technically, and we finally got a great shot of her. All it took was a few hours of my life to possibly have a tremendous effect on hers. Reflecting back on that [experience] was what started the whole process - that someone, doing what they love, in my case it was photography, could have a direct and profound effect on someone else’s life.”

Burk began to make phone calls to nonprofits in the area, offering to do photography for them, but what he found was that most organizations he contacted didn’t have a clear idea of how to use the service he was offering.

“I felt there had to be a better way for photographers (and other creatives) to volunteer their time and effort. That’s when CreativeCares came to mind, the idea that, through a gathering place of creatives willing to contribute and non-profits in need, the process could happen and everyone could benefit.”

Armed with a vision, a mission, and a whole lot of patience, Burk started CreativeCares eight months ago, intent on creating a virtual gathering place where creatives and non-profits could find one another and begin discussing ideas and collaborating on projects. The “creatives” that Burk hopes to connect run the gamut from photographers to web designers, PR people, social media gurus and more. The nonprofits that have already reaped the benefits of CreativeCares partnerships range from local favorites like The Bus Project, The Right Brain Initiative, and ReBuilding Portland to international organizations like Disability Aid Abroad, which works to change the lives of people with disabilities living in developing countries.

To date, CreativeCares has signed on 10 nonprofit organizations and completed five projects in its first eight months. The hope is that these connections will grow exponentially as more nonprofits and creatives discover the site and get matched up. But with a core board of only three and Burk in charge of the majority of the behind-the-scenes work, he realizes he’s not just looking for creatives to link up with other nonprofits… he needs some volunteer help himself!

Interested in helping non-profits tell their story, expand their reach, and connect with people that support their cause? CreativeCares could use a nonprofit organization outreach coordinator to outreach to new nonprofits and guide them through the process of joining CreativeCares.

Enjoy telling stories and want to hone your PR skills? Help CreativeCares get the word out about its goings-on through press releases and the news media as its “Shameless Propaganda Dissemination Expert”.

How about Twitter? Facebook? Blogging? Could you be the Social Media Guru CreativeCares is looking for?

Check out all of CreativeCares’ internal volunteer opportunities on the Hands On website. Or visit CreativeCares.org to learn more about how to get linked up as a participating creative professional or nonprofit organization (please note that the CreativeCares website will be receiving a full make-over in the next month, so stayed tuned for a new and improved CreativeCares site).

Free booths for nonprofits at Sunday Parkways this summer!

2010-05-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Support the event and show your stuff to 25,000 people
www.PortlandSundayParkways.com

Portland Sunday Parkways is a festival that brings together the entire community for 5 hours of car-free streets. Over 125,000 people will walk, jog, bike, and stroll together on routes in NE, N, SE, E and NW Portland on five Sundays this summer. In each event, our parks play a central role in hosting musicians, food vendors, picnics and fun activities. The first event is on Sunday, May 16 in NE Portland. Subsequent dates are: N Portland on June 27th, East on July 18th, SE on August 15th, and NW on September 26th.

Local nonprofits are invited to "own" an intersection (or more!) at one or more of the Sunday Parkways events. With 25,000 people coming right past your station, you would have a full exhibition opportunity to engage the public on your own terms. You make the intersection as exciting and inviting as you want. All organizations will be given a prime space along the route.

In exchange, you can help with the biggest need of the event - Intersection Superheros. The success of this event depends on the support of the entire community, and every single intersection along the course must be monitored by a volunteer. The job is simple, but important - keeping event participants and local traffic living happily together. In all, over 700 intersection shifts need to be covered! All volunteers will receive a free Sunday Parkways t-shirt, snacks, drinks and all necessary training.

If you’d like to get your nonprofit hooked up with an awesome tabling opportunity and support Sunday Parkways along the way, please let Neal Armstong know. You can contact him at Neal@GoodSportPromotion.com or 503.473.3547. He will work with you to create the most exciting and beneficial opportunity to spread the word about your organization while keeping everyone safe along the route!

Spotlighted Ongoing Opportunities For March

2010-03-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Help Students Explore the Garden of Wonders!

Abernethy Elementary Garden of Wonders Program

The Garden of Wonders aims to "create a sense of wonder about food, the way food grows and its place in the larger ecosystem". We do this by maintaining a school garden and teaching classes about the garden, environmental stewardship, and issues relating to sustainability to grades K-5 at Abernethy Elementary School (PPS) in Ladd's Addition. We are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are interested in helping with the Garden of Wonders class sessions.

Kids’ Meals from Scratch: Kitchen Assistants needed for cozy Abernethy Cafe

Abernethy Elementary Garden of Wonders Program

At Abernethy Elementary, Chef Nicole works hard to create delicious, homey meals for all of the students, incorporating produce, meats, and other products from local providers and Abernethy’s very own Garden of Wonders (Swiss Chard pesto, anyone?). But the kitchen needs help! Loved and revered by the students, Chef James can only do so much … and that’s where you come in!

Child Caregivers Needed for Survivors of Trauma

Catholic Charities

The MIOS Program is currently recruiting volunteers for day and evening childcare. Our program is aimed at providing mental health services for members of the Spanish speaking community who are uninsured.The women in these programs attend support groups and they need responsible, caring volunteers to watch their children.

Do you know your ABC's? Help organize medical records!

Quest Center for Integrative Health

Do you like filing papers? Are you looking for more experience in a medical office setting? Then we have the opportunity for you! Help our non-profit medical clinic by assisting our medical records clerk. We have several 4 hour am or pm slots available.

Art on Alberta Mural Team

Art on Alberta

Art on Alberta is organizing a mural volunteer team for our upcoming Art Hop. Muralists Rodolfo Serna, Adriene Cruz and Esteban Camacho will be organizing projects to be painted by area youth groups and the attending public during our annual Art Hop event on May 15, 2010. We need a team of volunteers who can help us gather paint for the muralists before the event, prepare surfaces, and assist the muralists during the day of Art Hop.

Create an Enrichment Kit for Kids

Peninsula Children's Center

Create an Enrichment Kit for the children at our nonprofit daycare and early childhood education center, as a service project with family or friends. An Enrichment Kit is a selection of items related to a theme; together they support integrated learning, promote literacy and develop social skills.

Scholarship Researcher

Albertina Kerr Centers

Kerr is currently seeking a research volunteer to find scholarship opportunities for youth transitioning from High School to Technical School, college or university, specifically youth involved in Kerr's Foster Care Program. This position can be done from home.

MotiveSpace Coalition Support

motiveSpace Coalition

The MotiveSpace Coalition is a nonprofit association of builders and community leaders whose mission is to promote inclusive and sustainable common spaces for our neighborhoods. We are seeking a dedicated volunteer to join our team, and provide executive support to our Board.

Finding your inner chauffeur!

Quest Center for Integrative Health

Do you like driving people around? Then come help our hungry clients get some food, by driving them to Esther's Pantry. We need a volunteer the 1st and 3rd Tuesday every month from 2-4 pm.

Be a Food Picker Upper

Quest Center for Integrative Health

Do you want to help with feeding hungry people? We need a team of volunteers every Thursday at noon, for about 40 minutes to an hour. Help us get the food from Whole foods (across the street from us) and sort it, so that we can cook dinner and distribute the remainder to out homeless and hungry clientele.

Teach Yoga!

Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI)

Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development organization providing affordable rental housing to families in north and northeast Portland. PCRI is currently seeking volunteers to teach our residents yoga at the Park Terrace Community Center. Teachers must be certified or working towards their certification.

Book Club Child Care Volunteer

Albertina Kerr Centers

Help Kerr's growing Foster Care program by providing supervised child care with other staff and volunteers during weekly foster parent trainings.Two shifts available: 10a.m. – 12p.m. or 7p.m. – 9p.m. Book clubs will meet twice per week for a 10-week series.

Make a difference for SE Portland youth at Marshall High!

Marshall SUN School

Interested in making a difference in the lives of SE Portland youth? Volunteer to be a class leader or mentor with the Marshall High School SUN program! The SUN program (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) at the Marshall Campus seeks to improve the lives of children, families, and community by providing extended-day classes for students, and family events for the community.

Lack of family volunteering motivates mom to help out

2010-03-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Nelson

I know there are a lot of parents across Portland who, like my husband and me, want to teach their kids the value of helping others. But, as a mom of two young children age 4 and 7, I know that finding these volunteer opportunities can be tough.

This lack of opportunity motivated me to spend the past two months creating truly kid-friendly volunteer projects across Portland. Building upon an effort that Hands On started a few years ago, we created a new class of project called "Kids Volunteer" projects.

What does the "Kids Volunteer" title mean? Truly kid-friendly. I believe it's more fun for everyone if other kids are there when I volunteer with my kids. I also enjoy volunteering side-by-side at a project with my kids. This is when we can talk about how what we're doing helps others and why that's important. Kids Volunteer projects are also:

· Reserved for parents to volunteer with their young children

· Designed to be age-appropriate - when we say 4 and up, we mean 4 and up, really!

· Maximum 2 hours long (many are 1 to 1.5 hours)

· Available weekends and a few weekdays, across diverse interests

It's also important, of course, that there be openings on these projects. I am pleased to report that our Spring Break Kids Volunteer projects (3/20-3/27) still have many openings!! And many in April too!

We've got some other great improvements for families that will make finding age-appropriate projects easier than ever:

· Check out our Newly Re-Launched Volunteering with Kids and Teen Volunteer pages! Super easy to navigate to help you get the info that is relevant to you.

· You can also search our main project calendar by age range in much more finite detail than before. Check it out!

The mom in me knows that one of the most important elements of these volunteer projects is fun, so my kids will want to come back again and again. These projects are designed with fun in mind! My 7-year old truly loves volunteering now. She asks at the end of every project "When can we do this again?" Music to my ears!

Lisa Nelson lives in Portland with her husband and 2 kids. She works part-time at Hands On Portland and she leads a group from her daughter's school that volunteers together monthly.

The Children's Book Bank: 2010 Volunteer Innovation Award

2010-02-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Some of the most-effective nonprofits in our community have grown from the passion of a single person. The Children’s Book Bank, winner of the Volunteer Innovation Award, is one of them. In less than three years, the Children’s Book Bank has grown from the passion of Dani Swope into an organization that has distributed 50,000 books to children who need them.

Dani’s passion goes back to her experience as a teacher with at-risk children in North Carolina. Dani remembers creating lesson plans without words because of her students low reading skills. Most had no books at home. After having children of her own, Dani picked up some well-loved picture book one day. She couldn’t find a place to donate them so she called a child program. Within the week, her phone was ringing off the hook. "Are you the book lady?," the callers would ask. "I hear you've got books for children."

Dani’s passion grew. She soon began to create the vision for the Book Bank. In those early days, she made a key decision to use volunteers to fuel her new cause. Volunteers, she envisioned, would provide the “staff” support to move books from donors to little hands. The gamble paid off: more than 1,000 volunteers have helped at the Children’s Book Bank in the past two years. “I still get emotional every time I think of how many hands and how many people from the community contribute to each bundle of books that goes out the door,” Dani says.

Kaylen & Andrew: 2010 Hands On Greater Portland Volunteer Award

2010-01-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

The scene was hectic. Dozens of volunteers streamed through the elementary school full of energy and hope. They unfolded ladders, peeled off paint can tops, and spread tarps. Ready and able, they stood at attention, awaiting instructions from Kaylen Miller. As the volunteer leader at this massive volunteer project, Kaylen was on the spot. Everyone needed her. That was the moment when Andrew, Kaylen’s teenage son, stepped in. Andrew grabbed a walkie-talkie and took over coordination of one large part of the project. In that moment, Kaylen realized she had succeeded.

Kaylen had raised her son to volunteer. Since age 3, Andrew had volunteered with his mom on dozens of Hands On projects. Volunteering was one way that Kaylen, a single mom, connected with her son. At the school, Kaylen remembers that volunteers came to her at the end of the day to say how impressed they were with Andrew and his volunteer coordination skills. Kaylen is glad that she made an impression on Andrew. “It is my hope that I have modeled the value of giving back,” Kaylen says. Hands On and the Portland Trail Blazers feel that she has.

Kaylen and Andrew are the 2010 recipients of the Hands On Greater Portland Volunteer Award. This event goes to a volunteer -- or two -- who have made outstanding contributions as Hands On volunteers. Kaylen and Andrew have done that. Together, they have helped hundreds of people volunteer and meet critical community needs. As Kaylen says, “Hands On is another part of my family.”

The Skinny on Disney’s “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” Promotion (For Hands On Nonprofit Partners)

2010-01-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Disney promotion has the potential to bring wide-spread volunteer attention to your organization from a pool of volunteers who may not otherwise find you. We have seen an enormous spike in the number of volunteers signing up and expressing interest in opportunities since the Disney promotion went live, and we’ve heard ample positive feedback from nonprofit partners who have been connected to dozens of new volunteers. That said, “opting in” to the program can take a bit of work and the system can be somewhat frustrating to navigate. Depending on your involvement with Hands On and your interest in taking part in the Disney program, Disney promotion may (or may not) play out for you in a number of ways.

How does this affect my organization? How do we get involved?

If you don’t have volunteer opportunities open to those under 18, the Disney promotion will most likely not affect you. The focus is on getting exposure for “family friendly” volunteer opportunities (which includes opportunities that might be 16+).

For those of you who post regular Calendar projects through us which are open to those under 18 (whether all ages, 12+, 16+, etc.), those projects may have already been “fed” to the Disney site for volunteers to find and sign up (though we will not be feeding every project to the Disney site from here on out). Project sign-up through the Disney portal translates as volunteer slots being filled in our database; once the project has reached its maximum, no further volunteers will be allowed to sign up. Once volunteers have attended the project, the verification of Disney volunteer hours falls on Hands On and our volunteer leaders, who must confirm volunteer attendance at projects within 2 days of the project date. That said, if you are serving a dual role as both the agency contact and the volunteer leader for a Hands On Calendar project, we need to receive your project attendance logs for these projects within 24 hours of that project’s completion in order to verify attendance through the Disney portal!

For those of you who post referral opportunities through us that are open to those under 18 (again, this could mean all ages or 16+), your opportunities are not automatically “fed” to the Disney website UNLESS you “opt in” and sign yourself up as a Disney verifying organization. As a Hands On partner, the referrals you post through our admin site will then feed to the Disneyparks.com site for volunteers to find and express interest in. It will be then be YOUR responsibility to “verify” the Disney volunteers’ participation in the opportunity within a couple days of the chosen date of service.

If you are interested in learning more about the Disney promotion and/or becoming a verifying member, please check out the Disney Nonprofit FAQ, posted by the national Hands On Network. You can sign up as a verifying organization here, but we recommend doing so only after glancing through the FAQ. Please note that Hands On Greater Portland is only able to manage volunteer opportunities on our own database – we cannot control anything via the Disney portal, or through the Hands On Network database. If you have difficulties signing up as a verifying organization or have questions about that database, you’ll need to contact the Hands On Network support team.

Important information to pass along to your volunteers:

If your organization is part of the Disney promotion, volunteers MUST sign up or express interest for volunteer opportunities through the Disney Volunteer Portal. They will not be eligible to receive a pass if they don’t go through this website. Once their attendance at a volunteer opportunity has been verified, Disney will email volunteers their pass within two weeks of their volunteering. Neither your organization nor Hands On Greater Portland are involved in this process and we cannot expedite that process.

Background on the Disney Promotion:

On January 1, 2010, Disney kicked off its national “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” promotion, which aims to “inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities.” In exchange for a day of service, volunteers receive a voucher for one free day pass to either Disneyland or Disney World. The promotion is focused on family-friendly volunteer opportunities and is cosponsored by the Hands On Network (our umbrella organization). The kick off was focused around MLK Weekend, although the promotion is set up to last through the coming months.

Save the Date!

2009-11-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

For the third year in a row, United Way and Hands On Greater Portland are organizing volunteer projects throughout the four-county Portland-Vancouver metro area for the 2010 MLK Weekend of Service, to be held Friday through Monday, January 15-18, 2010.

Holiday volunteering. Sign up now!

2009-11-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a wonderful time to volunteer. But sign up now because opportunities fill fast!

Visit our holiday volunteer page to find a variety of meaningful holiday opportunities over the next 50 days!

Is your favorite project full? We’ll need you in January. Make a commitment this holiday season to volunteer with us early in the new year!

Our holiday volunteering program is sponsored by the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

Spotlighted Ongoing Opportunities for October

2009-10-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Besides offering Hands On calendar projects, we also encourage our partners to post ongoing volunteer opportunities in need of a longer term commitment. If you're interested in getting engaged in the community on an ongoing basis and want to use or hone your skills set, check out some of our new and updated volunteer opportunities below!

Be a Lead Volunteer for Portland’s First Pet Food Bank
The Pongo Fund – NE Portland
Portland is fortunate to have a number of organizations providing food for the homeless; however, almost none of them provide food for the animal companions of the homeless. This Fall, the Pongo Fund is opening Portland's First Pet Food Bank! This is a big effort, and we can't do it alone. We need motivated, compassionate volunteers to take on an on-going leadership role, 1-2 sundays per month, to help us manage and oversee small groups of one-time volunteers that will be helping to distribute the food.

Field Trip Leaders on Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island Center – Sauvie Island
Join us in educating local youth about food, farming and the land! By joining our field trip leader team, you will gain experience in teaching and leadership, gain a basic understanding of Organic Farming Systems, and hone your naturalist skills.

All great change in America begins at the dinner table
The Wallace Medical Concern - Gresham
This is a great volunteer opportunity if you like to cook and prepare your favorite dishes for others. It involves a short time commitment but you still make a big difference. Once a month, prepare a simple meal for 8-10 people and deliver it to the amazing volunteer doctors and nurses at our Gresham clinic.

Greet teachers and assist their free shopping at the free store for teachers
Schoolhouse Supplies – NE Portland
Join Schoolhouse Supplies as we welcome Portland teachers to the free school supply store! We need a team of enthusiastic volunteers to ensure that teachers have a successful and excellent shopping experience!

Tutors for Children of Farmworkers
Bienestar - Hillsboro
Tutors are needed to help children of farmworkers with reading and math. Bienestar has identified elementary school age children who are at risk of school failure due to inability to read.

Churches, schools, organizations, corporations, WE NEED YOU!
The Children’s Book Bank – NE Portland
Help place books in the hands of children! The Children's Book Bank needs individuals and organizations alike to lend a hand by hosting book drives in their neighborhoods, offices, churches, schools, etc.

Attention Retired Bankers and Other Finance Professionals – Portland
Easter Seals Oregon – SE Portland
The Multnomah County Money Management Program is seeking a volunteer with strong leadership, organizational and team-building skills to fill a part-time volunteer Program Coordinator position.

Court Tour Guide
Classroom Law Project - Portland
Would you like a good excuse to hang out in the courthouse and observe judges and other attorneys practice their craft? Can you spare one morning a month? Would you like to tell students about what goes on in the Multnomah County Courthouse and Justice Center?

Overnight Shelter Volunteers Welcome!
Family Bridge - Hillsboro
Are you interested in helping homeless families with children but are not available during daytime hours? Volunteering as an "overnight host" at a local church (Hillsboro, Aloha, Forest Grove) for homeless families in the Family Bridge shelter program.

Provide community referrals on 2-1-1 phone line!
211info - Portland
Provide phone-based social service referrals to community members in need of food, medical assistance, housing, shelter, and other basic needs.

Make a difference for SE Portland youth at Marshall High!
Marshall SUN School
Interested in making a difference in the lives of SE Portland youth? Be a class leader or mentor with the Marshall High School SUN program! The SUN program (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) seeks to improve the lives of children, families, and community by providing extended-day classes for students, and family events for the community.

Guide Tours at Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion – NW Portland
Interested in history, meeting people, and sharing one of Portland's premier attractions with visitors? Pittock Mansion is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to guide tours or greet visitors! Both long-term and holiday season volunteers are welcome.

Love to look at Art? Be a gallery-sitter at Disjecta!
Disjecta Arts Center – N Portland
This is an awesome opportunity to work in the Portland art world, sit among interesting contemporary art, and talk with patrons.

Lend A Hand to Those Less Able
REACH Community Development – SE Portland
Residents in affordable housing have many barriers to keeping their home healthy and safe. A compassionate volunteer is sought to help our residents complete basic tasks to ensure their health and stability.

Be an After-school Tutor or Class Assistant at Hall Elementary
Hall Elementary SUN Community School - Gresham
Be a Homework Club tutor or Teaching assistant in after-school classes, which may include sports, dance, visual arts, and science, as well as many other types of classes.

Grocery Order Takers Needed
Store to Door – NW Portland
We need help in our office on NW 21st & Raleigh on Tuesdays calling our clients each week to check in and take their grocery orders. Since most of our clients are homebound, this might be one of the few calls they get and they will look forward to hearing from you.

Reach Out to McKay's Spanish-Speaking Families as a Translator
McKay Elementary School – Beaverton/Aloha
Help McKay Elementary reach out to Spanish-speaking families! We need translators to help us make information accessible to all of the families at our school. Translate informational flyers or the Parent Teacher Club website.

Family Recovery Support Volunteer
Volunteers of America Oregon – SE Portland
Volunteer needed to assist staff during drop-in hours for organization that works with families in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Located in SE Portland, VOAOR Family Recovery Support offers counseling, resources, and support groups.

Volunteer to help people get around

2009-09-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

By Melia Tichenor

Growing up in the Bay Area, I could get anywhere on public transit. My hometown of Albany, California was small and safe enough that my 10-year-old self could explore its nooks and crannies by bike. Though I learned to drive as soon as I hit 15, getting a car was not in the cards, and I wondered how long I could stave off that first auto purchase.

Nearly ten years later, a lot has changed in my life. I now call Portland my home, and am excited to officially join the Hands On Greater Portland staff this summer, after serving two years of national service as an AmeriCorps member. But some things haven’t changed. The only set of wheels I’ve ever bought belong to my new bicycle. And accessible transportation remains a passion of mine, in all its many forms.

That’s why I am excited to have organized September’s Focus On Transportation, during which we’re highlighting all the ways you can volunteer with us to help people meet critical needs for transportation. Drive a van. Deliver meals. Support bike commute workshops. Whether you love driving, rely on two wheels, or take public transit, you have the perfect tools to help connect others with the transportation alternatives they need and deserve.

When I first moved to Portland for college, I found a city criss-crossed with public transportation. Zipcars seemed to be at every major intersection. And the city’s distinction of being one of the most bike-friendly cities in America encouraged my first bike purchase. It was easy for me to stand by my decision not to own a car and consider myself lucky to live in such an accessible place.

What I have grown to understand, however, is that I am fortunate to have the physical ability to get around. Not everyone does. The convenience of public transit is only as convenient as your ability to get yourself to a stop, and assumes you can figure it out from there. Cost-saving car share options still require that one is able to drive themselves, which is a barrier for many with physical and mental limitations.

Realizing that transportation continues to be a critical need in the community, I decided to give some of my own time to help connect others with ways to get around. Since my personal passion is for the bicycle, I found my niche volunteering with the Community Cycling Center, empowering kids with the skills, knowledge and confidence to bike, while strengthening their street-savvy and problem solving skills. The experience was unforgettable, watching those shy first-timers turn into confident two-wheelers.

This month, I am fortunate to have had this chance to turn my passion and volunteer experience into Hands On’s Focus on Transportation. I hope that you will feel inspired to join with me and give the gift of mobility.

Melia Tichenor is Hands On Greater Portland’s Eastside Program Manager. When she’s not working with nonprofit partners to set up volunteer projects, she’s rallying her coworkers to earn 100% participation in this September’s Bike Commute Challenge, sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

Remember September 11th with Service

2009-08-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Volunteer during the weekend of Sept. 11 and you will help create a fitting and enduring legacy in the name of those lost and injured. Throughout the Sept. 11 weekend, you can volunteer on a variety of service projects that Hands On has created to commemorate the National Day of Service and Remembrance, created this year by President Obama.

Ready for a deeper volunteer experience?

2009-08-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

Like many people between jobs, Rick Baurer wants to stay active and connected with others these days. So he reached out to Hands On Greater Portland, looking for an opportunity to volunteer for a while.

Beyond Hands On’s calendar of one-time volunteer projects, Rick found opportunities on the website to make a longer-term time commitment. That’s what Rick is looking for. He selected opportunities to match his interests and schedule and build upon his experience. Within a couple days, he had heard back from Easter Seals and Operation Hope.

Easter Seals seeks volunteers for its Oregon Money Management Program advisory council. In this role, members provide support, guidance and direction to Easter Seals staff to help grow this statewide program that helps low-income individuals with financial education and money management services

Operation Hope seeks volunteers for its Operation Hope program. Volunteers teach youth about the basics of banking, budgeting, checking and savings, credit and investment. Volunteers are trained to present the material in a fun, engaging and relevant program.

These are among just two of the dozens of ongoing volunteer opportunities that Hands On Greater Portland is promoting this month. These opportunities are ideal for people, such as Rick, who can make a deeper time commitment. The rewards are also deep. Rick looks forward to not only helping out, but to expanding his network and building his resume.

This month is a great opportunity to connect through Hands On with an ongoing opportunity. This summer, the President is calling on all Americans to participate in our nation’s recovery and renewal by serving in our communities. Ongoing volunteers are ideal opportunities to answer this call. There are many ways to get involved. Just check our website for a complete list of ongoing opportunities. Who knows, maybe you’ll run into Rick.

Help Us Spread the Word

2009-07-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

By reaching out to others, you can help us connect volunteers

Meet two dedicated volunteers that contributed to Portland's ranking of second in the nation in volunteering.

When we think of the time of year when volunteer services are most needed, summer doesn’t usually come to mind. But this summer is different. Deepening economic troubles have increased the demand for basic services, and each individual’s contribution is more important than ever. And with a new national call to service by President Obama, it is clear that our national attention continues to focus on how to solve problems from the ground up.

At times like these, many of us wonder what we can do. Many of us are volunteering and donating money. But how can we expand our impact now when it is needed most? One way is to help Hands On Greater Portland spread the word. Reaching out to people you know and asking them to get involved is a very effective way to help. Each of us can communicate about the power of volunteering and recruit new volunteers; as a result, we automatically become much more powerful change-makers for the community.

One such change-maker is Brenda Bowling, who has been volunteering through Hands On at the Union Gospel Mission for the past ten years. Brenda has found that the best way to recruit others is to show them how fun volunteering can be: “The best advice is to be sincere,” Brenda says. “The enthusiasm is contagious. If volunteers see how excited you are about a project, they cannot help but want to be a part of that energy and excitement.” The enthusiasm that Brenda brings to her work is well-known and inspires “one-time” volunteers to return for more. Many of these volunteers arrive at her projects after being ordered by the court system, and become regulars when they see their impact and how fulfilling the work can be.

Kaylen Miller, another long-time Hands On volunteer and leader of a monthly Hands On orientation project, identifies with this experience. She often works with teens who volunteer at her projects to fulfill school requirements, and doesn’t expect that they will return. But more often than not, Kaylen’s impact is greater than she expects. “They tell me how much fun they had and then I see them again many more times, not for school, AND they bring friends when they come back,” Kaylen says. She also finds great success in talking about her projects with anyone and everyone. “If I just mention to someone that I have a volunteer event coming up, they will ask me about it and it opens the door for me to introduce them to Hands On. I walk away knowing that I might have just helped guide someone to volunteer.”

So get out there and start talking! Tell your friends about all the interesting people you meet and experiences you have. Tell your loved ones or your co-workers about Love Letters at Lunch Time and Hands On Orientation and Project at the Oregon Food Bank. You may end up doubling your impact by getting someone involved for the first time, and when that happens, the ripple effects are endless. As Brenda says, “You just never know what’s going to happen when you volunteer. You never know how you are touching other people’s lives.”

Hands On Responds to Surge in Volunteering

2009-07-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

By Andy Nelson, Executive Director

First Lady Michele Obama announced a new campaign for volunteers last month at the National Conference on Volunteering & Service in San Francisco. The “United We Serve” campaign will inspire tens of thousands of Americans to volunteer this summer to meet critical community needs.

At Hands On Greater Portland, we are preparing for this latest call for volunteers. After all, people in the Portland area have stepped up in extraordinary ways in recent months. Portland ranks third in the nation for volunteering, and Hands On made a record 20,000 volunteer connections in our 08-09 fiscal year, which wrapped up on June 30th.

To gear up for what we hope is a surge in volunteering, I am excited to announce that we are taking several steps over the next few weeks:

Foremost, as of July 1, we have restored our permanent staff to full-time and added one new staff position. We reduced staff time in January as a result of the economic downturn. But through careful planning and financial management, we have significantly restored our capacity. That means we can better serve volunteers and better help our nonprofit partners create new volunteer opportunities.

Second, we are changing how we work with some of our most-trusted nonprofit partners to add to our ever-popular project calendar. Without compromising quality, we plan to add several more projects a month.

Third, we are organizing a new weekend of service to commemorate the 8th anniversary of September 11 in partnership with Nike. As the official end of the “United We Serve” campaign, this weekend will provide high-quality, meaningful service opportunities at a variety of sites in the metro area. Stay tuned for more information on how to volunteer.

Finally, inspired by the national conference, we have initiated an effort to develop new ways to help volunteers connect with meaningful service opportunities. For example, might volunteers help us reach out to nonprofits and develop volunteer projects? Perhaps social networking sites like Facebook can help us accelerate volunteering. We’re looking for everyone’s good ideas as we move forward; stay tuned as we develop formal ways to gather this feedback and use it to inform us in our planning.

As a result of these steps, we feel prepared for a surge in volunteering without compromising the quality experiences that the community has grown to expect from us. It’s a big job, but we are ready and inspired, not only by the First Lady’s powerful call to service but because we know that so many of you will step up to help.

Spotlighted Referral Opportunities for July

2009-07-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

Besides our very popular calendar projects, Hands On works with its nonprofit partners to develop ongoing volunteer opportunities. Here’s a great chance to connect with a longer-term volunteer opportunity. Hone your skills, connect more deeply with one of our partners, or use your special skills to help others. Check out these new and updated volunteer opportunities below!

Bingo Caller!

Friendly House, Inc.

Friendly House's Senior Program is looking for a bingo caller to conduct bingo and distribute prizes every Tuesday, 12:45-2:45pm.

Capture the Words! Wordsmiths wanted

Ride Connection

Go on Ride Connection ride-alongs with older adults and people with disabilities. Capture in words what the transportation service and the volunteer drivers mean to the Ride Connection customers.

Teach Teens about Finance

Financial Beginnings

If you have experience in banking, insurance, credit or investing, then your expertise is needed to help prepare our youth for adulthood.

East Multnomah County Volunteer Drivers

Ride Connection

Live in East Multnomah County? Want to make a difference in the life of an older adult or person with a disability? Love to drive?

Interpreter for Free Urgent-Care Health Clinic

Essential Health Clinic

Share our concern for people in our community who are uninsured. Come to our clinic and volunteer as an interpreter. This is a great way to help people who need urgent healthcare.

Foster Care Program Support

Albertina Kerr Centers

Help Kerr's growing Foster Care program get organized and function smoothly. This is a wonderful opportunity for a volunteer interested in "behind the scenes" work.

Join us in Statistical Heaven!

Financial Beginnings

Join us in making a large impact from the comfort of your own home by inputting pre and post test data.

Companionship for GLBTQI Seniors

Friendly House, Inc.

The Elder Resource Alliance seeks volunteers to become Friendly Visitors--providing weekly or bi-weekly visits and companionship to a senior who needs some conversation and simple assistance.

Quarters for Kids

Peninsula Children's Center

QUARTERS FOR KIDS is a summer fundraising campaign for Peninsula Children's Center. We seek an energetic leader, or small team of leaders, for this effort.

Cook Once a Week for a Homebound Senior

Friendly House, Inc.

Do you enjoy cooking? This is the opportunity you have been looking for!

Library Media Processor

City of Tualatin

Want to learn more about your library? Want to be the first to see what is new at the library?

Spend a part of your summer with African kids!

Catholic Charities

We need your help so kids can get individual attention when they need it, study in small groups, and be supervised on field trips.

New Board Members

Essential Health Clinic

The Essential Health Clinic (EHC) is the only facility offering free urgent health care to uninsured individuals and families in Washington County.

Step Behind the Shoji: The Garden's biggest and best art show and sale

Portland Japanese Garden

During the busiest parts of the day, volunteers help by greeting visitors, answering questions, and keeping a watchful presence over the many beautiful and valuable pieces on sale.

Listen up! We’re all ears

2009-07-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

Calling all feedback! It’s time for our annual online survey, which will take you 5-10 minutes to fill out. The information we gather is vital to making sure our programs meet our volunteers’ needs. Please take whichever survey applies to you:

Volunteer

Volunteer Leader

Partner Agency

And, just to entice you to give us feedback, we’re entering names into the hat for prize drawings! Please email Mindy after you've filled out the survey and request to be entered into the drawing.

June Focus On Food

2009-06-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Amid these tough economic times, food is on everyone’s mind. Do we have enough? Will everyone be fed? During June, you can help as Hands On Greater Portland focuses on food. We’ve developed a number of meaningful volunteer opportunities to help get food to people who need it.

One of them takes place Saturday, June 13, as we help prepare a new community farm created out of a partnership between Multnomah County, the Oregon Food Bank and others. Call it a “Victory Garden” for Multnomah County. County CROPS will transform two acres of surplus county land into a garden. Produce will go to the food bank to feed people in need.

We have also developed ways to volunteer at a food bank as demand for emergency food hits an all-time high. To help youth in Washington County, prepare and serve a meal at HomePlate. New immigrant farmers are growing produce in partnership with Adelante Mujeres. You can volunteer to support this collaboration at the Forest Grove Farmer’s Market.

Please join us this month for our Focus on Food. With your help, we can ensure that food reaches people who need it. For more information, visit our website.

Hit the Parks This Summer!

2009-06-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

When summer hits the Northwest, outside is the place to be. Thanks to the Portland area’s extensive park system, we needn’t go very far.

From Forest Park, the largest wooded park within city limits in the US, to the plethora of small neighborhood parks perfect for family strolls, picnics, and Frisbee games, we are incredibly lucky to have so many places to get our outdoor fix during these months of sunshine and warmth. These green spaces are no accident; their existence and accessibility is due largely to the dedication of volunteers like you!

This summer, trade your Frisbee for a shovel and put a little love back into the parks that define our region. We have designed several opportunities for you to volunteer with parks. Use your weeding power as an alternative to pesticides by helping out at a Pesticide-Free Parks work party. Get into garden-mode with Portland Community Gardens. Flex those muscles and tackle some invasive species with Three Rivers Land Conservancy at their many locations.

Forest Park and Woods Memorial Nature Park both need help removing garlic mustard to improve their habitat. Help install a new trail and maintain the old ones with Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation. Show your SE Portland parks some love by helping spruce up Mt. Tabor, Laurelhurst, and Tideman Johnson Parks. Or, use your eye for detail to vanquish new ivy and blackberry shoots at Marquam Nature Park, Tryon Creek State Park, and NE Portland’s Rosemont Bluff.

Think about taking on some leadership by attending our Green Thumb volunteer leader training to learn about how you can help Hands On lead more projects in the great outdoors.

Whatever your plans this summer, make some time to pull on some gloves, enjoy some sun, and give back to the parks that offer us so much during these warm months!

Spotlighted Referral Opportunities for June

2009-05-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Besides offering Hands On calendar projects, we also allow our partners to post ongoing volunteer opportunities. If you're interested in getting engaged in the community on an ongoing basis and want to use or hone your skills set, check out some of our new and updated volunteer opportunities below!

Support the Forest Grove Farmers Market
Adelante Mujeres – Forest Grove
Help run the Forest Grove Farmer's Market each Wednesday! The Market is an extension of the Adelante Mujeres Micro-Enterprise program, created as an outlet for new immigrant farmers to sell their produce.

DRIVERS: Voodoo Doughnut Mobile
Oregon Outreach/Urban Opportunities– NE Portland
Think ice-cream truck but with Voodoo Doughnuts! We need very good drivers who have a very good driving record and can pass a background check as you will be working with youth.

Spanish Interpreter
Housecall Providers– SE Portland
Fluent in Spanish? Housecall Providers seeks volunteer Spanish interpreters to translate for non-English-speaking patients. We bring primary medical care to homebound individuals throughout the Portland metro area.

Summer Lunch/Activity Program
Bienestar – Hillsboro/Cornelius
A great summer volunteer opoprtunity - help serve lunches to low-income kids in Hillsboro and support games and activities for the kids after lunch.

Hairdressers Needed
Innovative Housing Inc.– Gresham/Troutdale
Are you working towards your license and have required hours to fill? Would you like to spend them doing something fun?

Sunday Parkways/Car Free Streets
City of Portland Transportation– Multiple Portland Metro Area Locations
As a volunteer you will receive a really cool Sunday Parkways t-shirt, an informational training, snacks and so many smiles it will knock your socks off!

Community Education and Outreach Internship
Raphael House of Portland– NW Portland
The internship will focus on assisting the Community Outreach Coordinator and Development staff in furthering their efforts to raise awareness and provide resources to Portland area schools, businesses and other community institutions about domestic and sexual violence.

Summertime Office Volunteers
NELA Center for Student Success- Portland – N.E. Portland
We are looking for friendly, outgoing people to manage the front desk, answer phones, and help people as they come into the center.

Be a Career/College Coach This Summer for Portland Youth Corps
City of Portland – Multiple Portland Metro Area Locations
WANTED: Caring adults to serve as volunteer Coaches to accompany local students on real-life learning experiences this summer.

Summer Youth Program Volunteer
Community Partners for Affordable Housing - Tigard
The goal of the OAKS Summer Youth Program is to expose low-income children to cultural, scientific and educational opportunities they may otherwise miss, while encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle.

Be The Bridge

2009-05-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Just like Kathleen Williams,
You can help families in need

Thanks to Kathleen Williams, families staying at the Family Bridge day shelter in Hillsboro receive an evening meal and a little camaraderie. Kathleen has been leading the Family Bridge project twice a month for over a year.

She could use a little help. If we could find another Volunteer Leader like Kathleen, we could make sure that we continue to help families twice a month at Family Bridge. Volunteer leaders act as Hands On Greater Portland’s representatives at projects. They welcome volunteers, sign them in, coordinate with the agency representative and make sure that the experience is high-quality and meaningful for the volunteers.

“I know that each volunteer comes away from the experience with the knowledge that they have made a difference in someone’s life,” Kathleen says of her experience. Kathleen isn’t going to abandon the Family Bridge project. But she would like to branch out and lead different projects in the Hillsboro area. Besides, the benefits of leading this project should offer more than enough incentive to a prospective Volunteer Leader.

At Family Bridge, volunteers prepare a meal together in the kitchen, serve the food to the families, and even sit down with the families to eat the dinner with them. Interacting with the guests, Kathleen says, is the highlight of the evening. “We get to know the families as we engage in conversation over dinner in a warm and laid back setting,” she says. “Just people talking to people.”

To find out about how you can lead the “Serve a Meal at Family Bridge” project, please contact Amelia Lamb at (503) 200-3355 or amelia@handsonportland.org.

Spotlighted Referral Opportunities

2009-05-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Besides offering Hands On calendar projects, we also allow our partners to post ongoing volunteer opportunities. If you're interested in getting engaged in the community on an ongoing basis and want to use or hone your skills set, check out some of our new and updated volunteer opportunities below!

We need a Social Networking Guru!
Impact Northwest – SE/NE Portland
If you enjoy updating your Facebook status, tweeting daily messages, or sending friends a little "poke" we can really use your help!

Featured Exhibits Hall Interpreter for CSI - The Experience
OMSI – SE Portland
This is an exciting opportunity to inspire wonder about forensic science through this interactive exhibit based on the hit CBS TV show.

Farmers Market Rock Star Roadie
Interstate Farmer's Market – N. Portland
Be an ambassador for the farmers by helping with the daily functions of the market by greeting market shoppers.

Impact NW Summer Garden Party
Impact NW – SE Portland
We are currently looking for a team of Silent Auction volunteers to help secure and package items and to be there on event day (June 27th) to guide our guests through the silent auction.

First Thursday Art Walk Leader
The Giving Tree – NW Portland
Introduce the world of art to people, and introduce yourself to a new way of looking at art.

Summer of Success @ NELA Center for Student Success
NELA Center for Student Success- Portland – NE Portland
Be a volunteer mentor to help high school students plan and apply for college.

Money Management Program
Easter Seals Oregon - Clackamas, Multnomah, Clark counties
Volunteers needed to help low-income seniors and adults with disabilities manage their day-to-day personal finances.

Cooking With Kids
The Giving Tree – NW Portland
Work with children to plan and cook a nutritious, inexpensive meal.

Nature Preserve Steward
Nature Conservancy – Multiple Locations
Restore native vegetation at one of The Nature Conservancy’s Portland area preserves.

Horse Handlers/Leaders, Sidewalkers, and Spotters
B.E.A.T. Riding Center – North Plains
Experience the joys of working with children with special needs while gaining friendships and experience with horses.

Be a core volunteer with Homeplate!
HomePlate - Hillsboro
HomePlate's mission is to support the positive efforts of homeless young people through positive relationships.

Intern Needed for Holistic Health and Wellness Course
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center - Cornelius
Intern/volunteer needed at Virginia Garcia’s Cornelius Clinic to assist with brand new Holistic Health and Wellness course for patients.

Buckman School cafeteria waste reduction
Buckman Elementary Green School Initiative – SE Portland
Help Buckman School reduce its environmental footprint by assisting students in running reusable trays and silverware through the dishwasher.

Powered by AmeriCorps

2009-04-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Celebrate National AmeriCorps Week - May 9th-16th, 2009

Did you know that over two thirds of the Hands On Greater Portland staff have served in an AmeriCorps program? Four members of our team are currently serving as AmeriCorps volunteers, and four more have served in the past! Hundreds of AmeriCorps members dedicate their time and talent across Oregon to improve local communities, so we’re celebrating the program’s achievements and sharing our experiences with you!

With President Obama’s signature still drying on the page, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is poised to boost the 16-year-old AmeriCorps program from 75,000 volunteers to an outstanding 250,000 members serving across the nation each year. AmeriCorps members receive a basic living allowance to serve for a 10-12 month term within local communities to teach children, preserve the environment, combat poverty, improve healthcare, promote volunteerism, and so much more.

Learn more about the AmeriCorps program, its influence at Hands On, and how to get involved in the future!

Landmark National Service Legislation Signed!

2009-04-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

April 21st will be remembered as the day that service became a national priority in America when President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which goes into effect on October 1st. The service act increases and enhances opportunities for all Americans to serve by expanding AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 over the next eight years. It will also strengthen America’s civic infrastructure through social innovation, increased opportunities for older adults and students to serve, and enhanced volunteer mobilization and nonprofit capacity.

Hands On Greater Portland has greatly benefited from AmeriCorps. Since the founding of the organization in 1996, Hands On has worked with hundreds of AmeriCorps members via our community partners and as a host organization for Hands On Network's Citizen Action AmeriCorps program for the past three years. Hands On Greater Portland would not be able to do what it does without the drive and passion of AmeriCorps.

“The broad bipartisan support for this legislation, and its remarkably swift journey through Congress, reflect the growing national consensus that service is a powerful response to the economic and social challenges facing America today,” said Alan Solomont, the Board Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “Across the country, people are looking for ways to help their neighbors and their communities. This bill will help us channel more of that energy into meeting local and national needs.” Learn more about this exciting legislation to expand national and community service.

Join Hands On for this historic time in history and join the thousands of people in our community making service a way of life. Find an opportunity today.

Potluck opens hearts and minds

2009-04-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Since September of 2008, Hands On volunteers have headed to O’Bryant Square to serve hot meals two Sunday afternoons a month with Potluck in the Park, a grassroots organization run by a few dedicated volunteers. Hands On volunteers return to this project because of the positive energy of the event and the visible impact it has on the lives of people who are in need of a hot meal. Laurie McGinnity is one such volunteer. She volunteered at O’Bryant Square in February 2009 and again with her whole family on Easter. Laurie says that “the experience of meeting regular people in need was touching and heart wrenching. We felt fortunate that Hands On Greater Portland gave us this chance to give back to those in our community that are in need of help.”

Laurie found in talking to the individuals coming through the meal line that the people she was serving were much more familiar than she had expected. “We had the realization that many of these people probably just fell into hard times and that this could be any of us. We left that day with a new appreciation of the life we have and a need to look for more ways to help those who are not as fortunate.” Laurie also appreciates the family-friendly atmosphere of Potluck in the Park: “Easter was especially rewarding as the entire family was able to volunteer together and it gave real meaning to the holiday. We find that volunteering together allows us to grow and flourish as a family.”

Follow in the footsteps of the McGinnity’s and start a tradition of volunteering with your family and friends. Join us for Potluck in the Park the second and fourth Sunday of every month or find another great project.

Show Our State Some Love!

2009-04-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Pick a volunteer project and roll up your sleeves – it’s time to celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday! Check out the variety of ways you can get out on May 16th to take part in Take Care of Oregon Days.

Do you have a great volunteer story?

2009-03-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Volunteering with Hands On Greater Portland can be fun, touching and even life changing. Consider this moving testimonial that we received from a volunteer recently:

I learned so much on my project and it was a rewarding experience. I made friends with a homeless woman and her son. She just came up to me, saw my name tag and introduced herself before I could do the same. I also helped several handicap people with their meals and they were so grateful. It made me feel better about the world we live in. Thank you for letting me serve.

Have you had a moment like this one while you were out volunteering? We’d love to hear from you. Please share your story below!

Volunteer Leader Profile: Bob Brandts

2009-03-30T15:26:00.001-07:00

When Bob and Patty Brandts moved from Massachusetts to Portland earlier this year, they sought a way to connect with their new community while searching for jobs amid a lingering economic recession. Finding Hands On Greater Portland has eased the Brandts’ transition as they seek new jobs and community.

“Hands On has been a real godsend and allowed me to get plugged into my community, meet lots of like-minded folks, and feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives at a time when I could just as easily be sitting at home feeling sorry for myself,” says Bob, who moved with his wife from Amherst, Mass. “Hands On has given me the opportunity to do something useful with my time during this job-search process.”

The Brandts are among hundreds of people in the Portland area, and tens of thousands nationally, who are taking to volunteer jobs as they look for paid work. In fact, people like Bob and Patty Brandts are driving the spike in volunteering that is occurring in the Portland area and across the nation. Volunteers driving this spike have lost jobs, found their hours cut or feel motivated to help during a time of need. Many cite President Obama’s call to service as motivation. The result at Hands On Greater Portland is a 50% increase in volunteers since November. March was Hands On’s busiest month ever in its 13-year history.

For volunteers, service helps them gain valuable career experience, expand their networks and add a little spark to what can be the tedious process of finding work. Bob Brandts feels that serving as a volunteer leader with Hands On, leading other volunteers on projects at nonprofits such as the Community Cycling Center, keeps him active and connected. “Who knows, one of these projects could lead to a potential job,” he says.

The spike in volunteering is also offering cash-strapped nonprofits much needed help. Bob Brandts understands that need. Back in Massachusetts, he ran a nonprofit that connected youth with service. “I have always enjoyed being a part of the magic that can happen during these types of volunteer projects,” he says.

Both Bob and Patty Brandts left big jobs and big responsibilities back in Massachusetts. The lure of Portland, besides the milder winters, was the opportunity to take a different approach to their lives and careers. They raised two daughters back east and now feel they have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to “changing the world.” For now, the dream must wait. But volunteering with Hands On Greater Portland is helping in the transition. “Every city should have an organization like this,” Bob says of Hands On.

Cares Day hopes to tap surge in volunteering

2009-03-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

By Andy Nelson, Executive Director

What an extraordinary time for volunteering in the Portland area.

The lingering economic recession has created a surge in volunteering. With critical needs on the rise, hundreds of volunteers are stepping up to help.

To tap into this volunteer surge, Hands On Greater Portland is teaming up with Comcast to mobilize 1,600 volunteers on Saturday, April 25, during the 2009 Comcast/Hands On Greater Portland Cares Day.

Volunteers will paint public schools, recover library books, sort donated food and school supplies, and tend community gardens. There is no charge to volunteer. All volunteers receive an event T-shirt and a well-organized, meaningful volunteer experience. You can sign up on our website.

Comcast is not only the event’s title sponsor but it is mobilizing 800 of its employees to volunteer during Cares Day in the Portland area. Across the region, Comcast is mobilizing 1,000 total employee volunteers from Longview, Wash., to Eugene, Ore., on April 25, and nationally, Comcast will mobilize 50,000 employee volunteers in 37 states.

Our other sponsors are First Tech Credit Union, Northwest Natural, The ODS Companies and The Standard.

This marks the 7th year that Hands On and Comcast have teamed up for Cares Day. Together, we have mobilized 6,750 volunteers, generating $375,000 in volunteer support for the community.

This year’s Cares Day is special because these are extraordinary times. Hands On is connecting about 50% more volunteers than it was a year ago. We connected a record 1,300 volunteers in March, our busiest month ever in our 13-year history.

The economic downturn is motivating people to get out and help. Others are moved by President Obama’s call to service. A third factor is that there are many people who are between jobs, looking to stay active and network. Volunteering is a great way to do that. And Cares Day is a great way to volunteer.

Hands On Boomer Initiative: A creative way to volunteer

2009-03-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for creative ways to volunteer? Hands On Greater Portland’s Boomer Initiative invites you to explore your creative side in a Books-to-Action discussion and volunteer project.

Books-to-Action aims to deepen volunteer understanding about relevant social issues through reading and discussion followed by a volunteer project. On May 17th and 19th, we will discuss Daniel Pink’s groundbreaking book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, and then volunteer at a local non-profit arts organization (details to follow!).

To sign up for one of the Books-to-Action discussions, or for more information, visit our website.

Pink’s book, a provocative New York Times best seller, suggests that “right brain” thinking -- creative, holistic, empathic and contextual -- will be integral to professional and personal fulfillment in this new century. In our book discussion, we will consider how to cultivate these right-brain abilities through service.

Hands On’s Boomer Initiative grew from another new effort, Life by Design NW, that seeks to support people contemplating retirement and older adults by providing opportunities for in-depth assessment and life planning, lifelong learning and civic engagement. Hands On organized the Books-to-Action discussions and service projects with Multnomah County Library, another partner in Life by Design NW.

For more information on Hands On’s Boomer Initiative, including additional volunteer opportunities, visit our website.

Partner Profile: Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

2009-03-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

Volunteers across the nation are seeking ways to make a positive impact on their communities. Dorothy Main is among them.

At age 95, Dorothy has found a way to stay connected to the community and help others as a volunteer with Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Dorothy discovered the volunteer project at Virginia Garcia while reading the newspaper. Called “Knit for Newborns,” the project is one of dozens that Hands On Greater Portland organizes in the greater Portland area each month in partnership with nonprofits such as Virginia Garcia.

Dorothy makes baby blankets and donates them to the Maternity Care program at Virginia Garcia. For Dorothy, knitting has become a new hobby to keep her busy and support a good cause. Dorothy has taken care of many young ones throughout her life, including a premature grandchild that needed a lot of extra care. Dorothy reflects on those times, saying she knows “how much it means for a baby to have tender care during the first part of their lives. Extra support from those around them can really make a difference.”

Virgina Garcia has an ongoing need for volunteers. “Volunteers help with every aspect of the clinic, helping us do more with less and maintain the highest quality services for our patients,” says Britt Rosenberg, Virgina Garcia’s Assistant Development Officer.

If you enjoy knitting and want to meet like-minded people in your community, like Dorothy, consider joining Hands On Greater Portland’s “Knit for Newborns” projects. Volunteers are also needed as committee members for Virginia Garcia Connect. In this role, volunteers advocate for healthcare for underserved populations and take other actions to promote the work of Virginia Garcia.

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center was developed in 1975 in response to the death of a young daughter of Oregon farmworker parents who could not receive sufficient health care for a wound. The center was a collaborative effort from the community, headed by Centro Cultural and St. Vincent Hospital to provide high quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate primary healthcare. Since the opening, the center has continued to grow now serving throughout Washington and Yamhill Counties in both their local health centers and outreach programs directly into the migrant camps.

Referral Opportunties in April

2009-03-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Save the Date!

2009-03-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

Our annual Comcast / Hands On Greater Portland Cares Day 2009 date has been set--Saturday, April 25th. More information will be coming soon.

2009 Heart of The Community Awards

2009-03-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Blackman awarded 2009 Hands On Greater Portland Volunteer Award

Stephanie’s involvement with Hands On Greater Portland began in 1999 as a project leader for the Community Energy Project. Over the years she has maintained and evolved her commitment and now teaches PSU capstone classes in conjunction with Hands On. Stephanie teaches students about civic participation and researches the relationship between education and democracy.

An instructor of both undergraduate and graduate level courses in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University, she has a background in sociology and a strong commitment to social justice in her classes. Stephanie’s interests in civic engagement, political participation, and service-learning in the classroom as ways of building democracy and creating social change have led to an inspiring experience for her students. Stephanie sees engaged learning as the key to personal and social transformation and shares that enthusiasm for service with her students semester after semester, helping to raise the next generation of volunteers and leaders in our community.

Click here to watch an inspiring video on Stephanie, or here to see all of the outstanding award winners.

Give Time and Stuff

2009-03-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Hands On and DonorsResource.org align during tough times

By Andy Nelson, Executive Director

It didn't take long for Della Rae and I to realize that, besides once being neighbors, we had something in common.

Della is founder of DonorsResource.org, an organization that matches nonprofit organizations with donations of so-called "in-kind" items, such as furniture, books or kitchen ware. Hands On connects volunteers with service opportunities in partnership with dozens of nonprofits.

Della and I realized that if teamed up, we could meet more needs together than we could alone. So that's what we've done. Hands On Greater Portland and DonorsResource.org are forming a partnership that encourages people to "Give time and stuff." Give time by volunteering with Hands On. Give stuff by working with DonorsResource.org to find a home for your, well, stuff.

We're holding a networking event on Thursday, March 5, from 5:30-7 pm here at Hands On (1621 NW 21st Ave.) to introduce nonprofit organizations to what we are doing. Our hope is that nonprofits can access both of our organizations by finding either of us. That's what we hope for people, too. Volunteers with Hands On might be moved to donate via DonorsResource.org. And vice versa.

The difficult economic times motivated us to form our partnership. Needs in our community have never been greater. At the same time, volunteering has never been more popular. Here at Hands On, we are making record number of volunteer connections over the past few weeks. To keep up with demands amid declining resources, Hands On is focusing on its core services, streamlining its resources and looking for collaborations, like this one with DonorsResource.org. By working together to encourage people to "Give time and stuff" we leverage each other's networks and get more people helping.

It's great to be working with Della again. A few years ago, back when our kids were toddlers, we lived next door to each other. I've always admired Della's drive and vision. DonorsResource.org is a great idea, and a resource that we've needed for a long time.

Meanwhile, Hands On is working on additional ways to streamline, focus and collaborate amid these tough difficult times. Needs are great. Volunteers want to help. Hands On is the bridge between people who want to help and community needs. Our services have never been in greater need. Collaborations like this one with DonorsResource.org are allowing us to seize this unique moment in time.

Revival awaits at Zenger Farms projects

2009-03-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

A Hands On Boomer Initiative Update

Looking for a chance to experience the “rebirth” of spring? Hands On Greater Portland’s Boomer Initiative has an opportunity for you in March.

Join us for springtime volunteer projects at Zenger Farm in southeast Portland on March 6^th and 14^th. Dig in and contribute to new growth and meaningful connection with others. You can sign-up for one or both of the projects.

The Zenger Farm project follows recent discussions that we organized about Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. A central focus of our discussion was Putnam’s call for revival of meaningful connection to each other and our communities. As we discussed, many of our structures that supported this kind of connection and social accountability in the past are no longer viable. In their place are efforts like ours – the Boomer Initiative.

Hands On’s Boomer Initiative grew from another new effort, Life by Design NW, that seeks to support people contemplating retirement and older adults by providing opportunities for in-depth assessment and life planning, lifelong learning and civic engagement. Hands On organized the Books-to-Action discussions and service projects with Multnomah County Library, another partner in Life by Design NW.

For more information on Hands On’s Boomer Initiative, including additional volunteer opportunities, visit our website.

Volunteering and the Revival of the American Community

2009-01-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

A Hands On Boomer Initiative Update

In his book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert Putnam examines how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors and our social networks. Americans are even bowling alone! Putnam believes that America can civically reinvent itself and offers ways to reconnect and engage.

On February 24 and March 1, the Hands On Boomer Initiative and the Multnomah County Library, as partners in Life by Design NW, are co-sponsoring book discussions on Putnam’s book, followed by an opportunity to volunteer. During our conversation we will discuss Putnam’s findings and suggestions for change, explore our own needs for meaningful connection and consider how service to community can assist us in fulfilling this need. Sign up now to participate in this conversation relevant to these challenging times in which greater connection to one another and our common good is needed more than ever.

Visit our Boomer Initiative events page for information on other Portland opportunities relevant to 50+ adults. Hands On Greater Portland is co-sponsoring and presenting at the OASIS education and community service fair on February 27th.

Valentines For Volunteer Leaders

2009-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

To celebrate our Volunteer Leaders in the month of February, Hands On Greater Portland invites you to submit comments, funny or touching stories, pictures, poems, and notes of gratitude about a positive experience you’ve had working with a Volunteer Leader. These can be directed to all Volunteer Leaders or to one person in particular, but all should be anonymous. Submissions received by February 10th will be distributed to Hands On Volunteer Leaders in time for Valentine’s Day!

Please email your submissions to amelia@handsonportland.org. You can also submit via fax to (503)200-3356, or via mail to Amelia Lamb at Hands On Greater Portland, PO Box 4889, Portland OR 97208-4889.

In Love and Service

2009-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

As we head into the shortest month of the year, red hearts begin to pop up in storefront windows, chocolate finds its biggest market of the year, and dinner reservations pile up for the evening of February 14th. Regardless of whether you embrace the holiday with romantic gusto or lament its consumerist stronghold, Valentines Day is just around the corner.

Each year, Hands On Greater Portland celebrates this day through its Heart of the Community Awards Luncheon, which honors the love, commitment, and hard work shown by some amazing volunteers and nonprofit partners in our community.

It’s also a time when those of us in the volunteer management realm begin to wonder aloud… how many volunteers foster a different kind of love through their commitment to service?

Meet Lydia and Justin. In her day to day, Lydia promotes volunteerism in college campuses across Oregon through her work with Campus Compact. Justin just finished an AmeriCorps term of service through the Northwest Service Academy. A couple with a conscience, the two also make time to volunteer with Hands On in their free time, whether it be hilling potatoes at Zenger Farm, sorting through building materials at the Rebuilding Center, or weeding garden plots at a Get Out and Garden work party with Portland Community Gardens. In fact, it was at a Hands On project that Lydia and Justin first met, while touring the Hillsboro landfill as part of a April Eco Challenge TeamWorks back in 2007.

“Justin and I share a lot of common interests, so volunteering provided us a venue for exploring issues we both find important while getting to know one another better. Meeting for the first time on a Hands On project gave us a way to immediately connect around both the topic at hand (sustainability and environmental stewardship) and our shared value of being involved in the community.”

Lydia believes its only natural that she would meet her significant other through a venue like Hands On.

“Whether it's something done with family, friends, significant others or complete strangers, volunteering connects people. It allows individuals to come together around the common goal of creating stronger communities. The great thing about Hands On is that you're free to focus your time and energy on projects relating to one specific issue or focus, or you can change up where you volunteer as often as you'd like. Throughout our relationship volunteering has definitely been a great way to spend time together while getting out, meeting new people and staying connected to the community.”

We see similar comments in the feedback we receive after projects, as volunteers express excitement at connecting with a like-minded individual, making a new friend, and growing closer to family members through a shared commitment to serve and strengthen the community in which we live.

Next time you sign up for a project, why not invite a friend, bring a family member, or strike up a conversation with another volunteer on the project? You never know what kind of connection you might make!

What’s your Hands On love story? How has volunteering brought you closer to those you care about? We’d love to hear your stories! Feel free to post them in a comment or send your reflections to melia@handsonportland.org

Volunteer Leader Profile: Smart Ocholi

2009-01-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Smart Ocholi joined the volunteer community in Portland in 2007, and was trained by Hands On Greater Portland as a Volunteer Leader last month. Here is the unique story of how he got involved with Hands On.

I am originally from Nigeria and came to the U.S.A. in 2002 through a yearly Visa Lottery program, conducted by the U.S. government, which is expected to bring about 50,000 immigrants from all over the world to the U.S.A. Upon arrival, my wife and I settled in Dallas, Texas, where I joined the U.S. Army in 2002. I was posted to Germany in 2003, and then deployed from Germany to Afghanistan in 2005-2006.

Back in Nigeria, I led and participated in a number of volunteer activities, such as HIV/AIDS awareness programs, road construction and maintenance, community development, and youth mentoring/teaching. Also, while deployed to Afghanistan, I supported and participated in some humanitarian programs, delivering toys, educational materials, and other amenities to the children and adults in the communities around the military bases.

I moved with my family to Portland after more than 4 years of active duty service with the military to work as operations manager for a recycling company. I started seeking out organizations where I could contribute to the development and basic needs of the community around me. That was when I found Hands On Greater Portland and became interested in a number of its programs. Many of the opportunities available through Hands On are similar to the work I did in Nigeria and Afghanistan, and I am anticipating that helping out in Portland will allow me to connect back to that work.

--Smart Ocholi

Partner Spotlight: Operation HOPE

2009-01-06T12:16:00.001-08:00

Through several global initiatives and its three principal programs: Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (financial emergency preparedness and disaster recovery), and the HOPE Center Banking Network (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles) Operation HOPE is leading the “silver rights” movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities.

So where do you come in?

Banking on Our Future, the financial education program of HOPE, links professionals from around Portland with schools and community groups.

HOPE needs support in teaching our youth about the basics of banking, budgeting, checking and savings, credit and investment. Volunteers are trained to present the material in a fun, engaging and relevant program. They provide a curriculum that is fun and easy to use.

The program runs four hours and is usually broken up into four, one-hour sessions or two, two-hour sessions. Volunteers only accept programs that fit their schedule. You can teach one program or continue to sign up throughout the year.

This is a simple, easy, fun and rewarding opportunity. Youth need this information in order to succeed in life and you can be the one to give it to them.

To help volunteer, click here.

To learn more about HOPE:

www.operationhope.org

Positive Aging Conference: Next Step

2009-01-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

Portland: the next Blue Zone?

Join us through our Boomer Initiative as we explore positive aging.

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Hands On’s Boomer Initiative, and other partners in Life by Design NW, is building upon the success of a recent aging conference with a Jan. 28 event to further explore positive aging.

The Second Annual Conference on Positive Aging took place at a “sold-out” Marylhurst University this past November. This day-long conference featured many nationally known authors who shared leading-edge concepts and resources, exploring purpose, meaning and vitality in the second half of life. An overwhelming number of conference participants suggested that the Life by Design partners convene more opportunities to further explore positive aging. They expressed a curiosity about how to develop Portland into a Blue Zone -- a geographical area in which the environment, culture and civic structures support individuals in living vital and long lives, filled with purpose, meaning and well-being.

As a result, Life by Design NW will devote its January Coffee and Conversation to reconvene our conference discussion and further envision the possibilities for positive aging.. Other sponsors include Marylhurst University, Oregon Gerontological Association, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Hands on Greater Portland! The event takes place from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute located in the White Stag Building. A $5 donation is appreciated. To register, call 503.731.6650 or email::event@lifebydesignnw.org.

Hands On’s Boomer Initiative helps Boomers and older adults assess their interests in volunteering and connect them with meaningful volunteer opportunities. We will also prepare our non-profit partners to re-tool their volunteer programs to include opportunities that capture the gifts of the 50+ cohort while offering them personal fulfillment and connection. For volunteer and other opportunities, visit our webpage.

Volunteer Leader Profile: Lisa Nelson

2009-01-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

1. What was your experience with volunteering prior to Hands On Greater Portland?
I volunteered with my family starting when I was about 5 doing all kinds of different things to help different causes. I was raised to believe service was important and have volunteered throughout my lifetime. Since I've been in Portland I have volunteered with Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Junior Achievement, and several elementary schools (as Classroom aid, reading buddy).

2. How did you get involved with Hands On Greater Portland?
When my husband Shepley and I moved to Portland we were wanting to meet people outside of work so we joined TeamWorks through Hands On Greater Portland. That was a great beginning!

3. What has motivated you to spend your free time helping develop family-friendly volunteer programs?
As parents of 2 kids (ages 6 & 3), we want to pass on the value of helping others to my kids. I believe volunteering has to be fun for both parents and kids to make it a valuable experience the whole family will want to do again and again. I believe there are A LOT of people in Portland that feel the same. I want to help the Family Volunteer program be a great success by creating truly family friendly experiences throughout the family program (great projects, age appropriate education, easy to navigate online, etc.) AND reaching out to families about the great opportunities Hands On Greater Portland provides.

4. How has your experience changed you?
It has given me faith that there are A LOT of families like ours in Portland that want to share the value of helping others with our kids. And that want to make it a fun experience for kids & adults by volunteering with other families with children of similar ages.

5. What's your favorite cause?
There are so many amazing causes out there. That's why I love Hands On Greater Portland, I don't have to choose one. We can volunteer our time to help with a seemingly limitless number that are of interest to me and my family.

6. What has been your favorite Hands On volunteer experience, and why?
TeamWorks. Shepley and I had a great experience - met some great people and had a lot of fun. It is something unique and valuable that Hands On Greater Portland provides - creating community while volunteering to help others.

Heart Of The Community Awards

2009-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Please join us Tuesday February 17, 2009 for The Portland Trail Blazers / Hands On Greater Portland Heart of the Community Awards luncheon that celebrates volunteerism and honors outstanding volunteers and volunteer programs. Click here for tickets and more information.

Celebrate MLK Weekend with us!

2009-01-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

How are you celebrating MLK weekend?

You may already be hearing the buzz about the MLK Weekend Of Service hosted by United Way of the Columbia Willamette and Hands On. The convergence of MLK weekend with President-Elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration is going to bring thousands of people out to serve and to celebrate in full force. So, are you ready to be part of history on MLK weekend between January 17 and 19th, 2009?

It’s not too early to sign up to sort books for children, toil in community gardens, paint public schools, preserve wetlands, or make care packages for troops (and more!). Want to volunteer in your neck of the woods? No sweat. We have projects in 4 counties.

Find your project here:

While you’re at it, why don’t you find a few friends or family to go out an volunteer with you? We want your volunteerism to be contagious! Spread the word. Let’s make this the biggest MLK celebration of service yet.

See you on MLK Weekend Of Service,
The Hands On team

Editorial: Volunteers' Nimble Fingers, Big Hearts Inspire

2008-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

The following testimonial was submitted by Sarah Keefe,
Community Outreach/Education/Development Coordinator,
Domestic Violence Resource Center

I've been behind schedule with feeling this whole 'holiday spirit' thing. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it's already December. But as of last night (December 2nd) I am filled with gratitude. No, not from Thanksgiving leftovers. Thankfulness at the amazing people who came out and volunteered on Tuesday night, despite busy schedules and lives. People who before now were perfect strangers, but took the time to make a profound connection.

On a given weekday, I come home from work and have time to clean a little, cook a little, talk a little with my family, and then get ready for work the next day. That's how most days are, right? It's hard to find the time to fit what we have to do in our day, let alone what we want to do.

Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM the Domestic Violence Resource Center had a volunteer event at a local coffee house (Insomnia Coffee) to stuff envelopes for our holiday fundraising mailing campaign. Not only did people sign up for this tedious task, they brought their friends and significant others. I was expecting four people-- eight came. They all stayed until their task was done, not at 7:30, but 8 PM. No one budged until all the letters were folded and in their respective envelopes.

The woman who had been up since 3:30 am opening her store, and yet was volunteering until 8 o'clock at night.

The man who was working, as well as studying for his P.h.D., and still found the time to volunteer.

The couple who were the first ones to sign up, the first there tonight to help me set up, and were the last ones to leave, helping me to pack everything up in my car.

Eight people, who'd never volunteered for us before, came out on a dark December night to do one of the dreariest and thankless tasks a non-profit undertakes: stuffing envelopes. There's no glitz or glory in papercuts or toner-tinted fingers. And yet they came.

What a powerful difference they made. Not only in filling boxes with stuffed envelopes, and not only in helping us raise money to support survivors. I think what is most powerful is the spiritual difference they made in inspiring me-- and I hope all of you reading this, too. It was powerful because these people made the time when there was truly nothing to be gained, not even the benefit of working with or beside the people they were helping. I am full of awe at the strength of generosity in the human spirit. People passionate about making a difference-- so much so they'd drive in rush hour from the southeast side of Portland all the way to Hillsboro to peel stamps and stick them on 1300 envelopes. Right now I'm too busy feeling moved to do the dishes (so I sit here at home and write this, instead), just as they were.

I may be slow at feeling the gratitude that Thanksgiving is supposed to be about, but I'm on time for feeling hopeful: that with people such as these in my community, there can truly be peace on earth and goodwill towards men.

Recruiting Those Boomers!

2008-12-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

As the new program manager for our Hands On Boomer Initiative, I am enjoying my opportunities to meet with many volunteer coordinators in our partner organizations. As we’ve explored your volunteer needs, many of you have requested guidance on how best to recruit volunteers from the Boomer generation. Of course, one of the most accessible and commonly used recruitment tools is the Volunteer Position Description. And a prerequisite to a compelling Boomer volunteer description is a volunteer position that is flexible, creative and linked to social impact. So, when crafting your descriptions, I encourage you to stretch your thinking about the position itself. If the position is compelling, then the position description will also be compelling and fun to write.

To invoke your imagination and encourage new ways of thinking about Boomer volunteer positions, I have developed this Guide for Creating a Volunteer Position Description. Please use it as a stimulus for rethinking positions and reframing your current descriptions. I wrote my first draft of the guide specifically for Boomers. When reviewing it with my Hands On colleagues, we quickly realized that adult volunteers of all ages desire flexibility, purpose and creativity. Boomers may be pushing our edge on transforming volunteering but, we do not stand alone with our desires for meaningful and fulfilling service opportunities. Thus, our position description guide is now aimed at recruiting all adult volunteers. If you have suggestions or feedback from its use, please let me know: karen@handsonportland.org

Submitted by:
Karen Beal
Hands On Boomer Initiative
Program Manager

A New Spirit Of Patriotism

2008-12-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

"Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other."

-- President-elect Barack Obama

Dear Friends,

As tough as times are right now, there is a bright side. People of all types are engaging in remaking our community - our nation - unlike ever before. At Hands On Greater Portland, we meet these people every day:

Erin painted a school.

Julia helped a homeless family.

Mary Ann and Amelia wrote a letter to a sick child.

Erin, Julia, Mary Ann and Amelia turned to Hands On Greater Portland to help them find a way to pitch in and look after each other. At the same time, nonprofits face extraordinary economic challenges and are looking to us for help in connecting with volunteers to meet critical needs.

By making a financial donation to Hands On Greater Portland this holiday season, you will help us make this connection between people who want to help and critical community needs. You will ensure that we remain strong and able to answer this call for volunteers at an unprecedented moment in our nation's history. The community is counting on us and we are counting on you.

Best wishes,

Andy Nelson

Executive Director

P.S. Join our Circle of Friends and you will receive fun, meaningful benefits that link you with a pool of like-minded donors.

Partner Profile: HomePlate

2008-11-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

In April of 2005, individuals from a youth group, social services agencies, the Hillsboro police department, and the community came together to develop a way to address the lack of services for homeless youth in Washington County. They came up with the idea of HomePlate, where youth ages 12-21 can come together on Thursday evenings for a hot meal, a shower, hygiene items, art supplies, games, and an open ear. HomePlate has continued to develop throughout the years, becoming a non-profit in December of 2007 and now serves between 20 and 50 youth every Thursday night.

In addition to its one part-time staff member, HomePlate relies heavily on volunteers. There is a Board of Directors and three core volunteers, who are part of the group that founded HomePlate. These volunteers have committed to being at HomePlate every Thursday evening. They have been able to provide familiarity to the youth, making HomePlate a welcoming and warm place.

Community volunteers are always welcome to participate in Thursday night activities. Volunteers bring a food item and as a group, they prepare a hot meal for the youth. After the meal, volunteers have the opportunity to interact with the youth and spend time listening, processing their situations, recognizing achievements, and providing guidance. The mission of HomePlate is to support the positive efforts of homeless youth through relationships and volunteers make this happen.

Jenny Reid is the heart of HomePlate. She is a two year volunteer with HomePlate, a newly elected board member, and a long time Hands On Greater Portland Volunteer Leader. As a volunteer, she helps to coordinate volunteers and plan the meal they will provide. When Jenny first began volunteering with HomePlate, she was impressed with the dedication of the core volunteers and the comfortable, safe place HomePlate is for youth. She was touched by how the youth take ownership in HomePlate and are so appreciative to have a safe place to have a hot meal and hang out with their friends. Jenny describes an evening at HomePlate as, “feeling like family getting together to enjoy each other’s company.”

HomePlate is always looking for volunteers who have a genuine interest and understanding of people of all backgrounds. Volunteers are welcome to join HomePlate to serve a meal and interact with youth. Click here to learn more about the Thursday night opportunity. With the numbers of homeless youth continuing to increase, HomePlate is always looking for new core volunteers that will make an ongoing commitment. Click here to learn more about becoming a core volunteer. To learn more about HomePlate, you can visit their website at www.homeplateyouth.com

Looking Forward to 2009

2008-11-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

At Hands On Greater Portland, there’s nothing quite like the holiday season. That’s when we see an extraordinary spirit of giving, as volunteers reach out and offer their help in a big way. Even with our expanded calendar of projects and long list of referrals, we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity. It’s a great thing! But we’d be remiss if we didn’t use this opportunity to see if we could talk you into spreading the wealth of your volunteerism throughout 2009. By all means, volunteer with us this holiday season. But also consider staying involved the whole year through. Here are some ways to do that:

Sign our pledge to volunteer throughout the year. Provide your name and email address and we will contact you to remind you of your pledge to volunteer. You will hear from us twice during the year: once in March and once in July. Think of it as a reminder for your volunteer calendar.

Sign up for one or more of the 30+ projects over MLK Weekend developed in partnership with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

Get your family out volunteering. Check out our family-friendly projects.

Are you a teen looking for something fun to do with friends, or needing to fulfill graduation requirements? Hands On now has TEEN-specific projects.

If you’re a member of the Boomer generation, have you checked out our Boomer Initiative?

Deepen your commitment. Become one of the Volunteer Leaders that Hands On relies on to keep our calendar projects going.

See you over the holidays, and again in 2009!

Boomer Initiative Update

2008-11-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Creating a meaningful holiday through community service! Updates from the Hands On Boomer Initiative…

Our Hands On Boomer Initiative, a partner in Life by Design NW, has organized a Holiday TeamWorks. This offering is so popular that it has already filled to capacity! Our holiday volunteer team will be gathering on December 4th for an orientation to assist us in setting our intentions for a meaningful holiday of service, followed by three service projects in which we will help connect low-income families to bikes, toys and food for the nourishment of body and heart.

In early November, a team of Hands On volunteers assisted with the presentation of a successful webcast of the National Conference on Positive Aging which was broadcast from the University of Minnesota, Center for Spirituality and Healing. Eighty participants gathered at Marylhurst University to view the conference locally and engage in group discussions about how our community can support vital living and longevity. It was an inspiring event that will spawn future related events and discussions. So, stay tuned!

We also have another Books-to-Action discussion group scheduled for February 24th at the Hillsdale Library and March 1st at the Hollywood Library. We will be reading and discussing Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam. Following the book discussion, our book group will be volunteering on a related service project. If interested, please email me and I will notify you as soon as it is posted on the project calendar.

Additionally, in January we will be offering a Boomer Affinity Group to assist you in finding your direction, focus and renewed identity through civic engagement. We will be presenting transformational tools and resources to help you deepen your understanding of yourself while creating a renewed and meaningful connection to the larger scheme of things. Sign-up here for our first gathering on January 15^th!

To stay up-dated on our 2009 projects check-out the volunteer opportunities on our Hands On Boomer Initiative webpage.

Karen Beal
Hands On Boomer Initiative
Program Manager

Volunteer Leader Profile: Ellie Gilbert

2008-11-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

Knit for Newborns is a group of Hands On volunteers who come together once a month to knit blankets and clothing for newborns and premature babies, to be donated to the natal and prenatal wards at Virginia Garcia and Emanuel hospitals. Ellie Gilbert, Knit for Newborns Volunteer Leader, told us why she started working with Hands On and what this volunteer project means to her.

“I got involved with Hands On Portland because I needed to find a way to give back, have fun and feel good without spending money or having to commit tons of time. I have a demanding job but wanted an outlet beyond work that would benefit someone else. Hands On allows me that flexibility of time and fits into my already busy schedule."

“This project has brought so much fulfillment into my life already. I enjoy leading this group, helping them get excited about the difference we are making to moms and dads with their first child or a child who is in the hospital. I feel most passionately about providing for the premies and children who are ill or dying. Families go through so much during these times. Having something homemade that someone took the time to craft can mean a lot, especially if the family doesn't have much."

"What I carry away is the sense of our group accomplishment (aside from the fact that what we produce fills the entire backseat of my car). Our group feels really good about what we make and even better to think that we can brighten someone else's day and make a hard situation just a little bit better.”

National Family Volunteer Day

2008-11-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

November 22nd is National Family Volunteer Day and to celebrate, Hands On Greater Portland has created a day filled with service opportunities designed to encourage your family to get out and volunteer together! This is a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together in a fun and positive learning environment to teach a new generation the importance of giving back to the community. Each opportunity is designed for families with children of all ages and interests.

Be sure to pay extra attention to the all the volunteer opportunities happening at Hosford Middle School on November 22nd. There is something age appropriate for everyone in the family and it’s all under one roof!

Can’t make it to any of the events on November 22nd? You are in luck! There are fantastic opportunities for families and youth of all ages throughout November. No training or experience is necessary, and volunteers are encouraged to sign-up for projects that interest them and fit their schedule. So sign-up, get involved, and make a difference today! To view the list of family opportunities and to sign up visit our family volunteer page.

Hands On Boomer Initiative Update

2008-11-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

Boomer TeamWorks in December! This is the time of year when many of us want to reach out to help others, to serve our community and to connect with purpose and meaning. However, the many demands of this season can limit our ability to fulfill our deeper intent. To support you in creating a holiday season filled with heartfelt giving and thanksgiving, we are creating a team works that begins with an orientation and reflection on setting our holiday intentions, followed by service projects designed to support a meaningful holiday experience for you and others in our community.

More information will be posted on the project calendar soon. You can also check the Hands On Boomer Initiative webpage for up-coming details. Meanwhile, if you would like to express your interest in the December Boomer TeamWorks, please email Karen Beal.

On Nov. 2nd, we had an inspiring Books-to-Action discussion on The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, by Dan Buettner. Many of us who participated will also be volunteering at the November 12th National Conference on Positive Aging.

We encourage you to view our Hands On Boomer Initiative webpage for more information on our Books-To-Action series and the Positive Aging Conference.

Help Out For The Holidays

2008-11-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

Looking to share some holiday cheer this season? Check out our holiday page for volunteer opportunities specific to this time of year! This list will be updated throughout the season, so keep checking back for more holiday opportunities. Regular volunteer opportunities can always be found on our Project Calendar or our Ongoing Opportunities List.

Change begins at home; at Hands On, in fact!

2008-11-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Donate now

By Andy Nelson, Executive Director

Babies born at the beginning of the presidential election campaign are now walking and talking, one of the presidential candidates pointed out. In other words, the national agenda has occupied the nation for months.

Now that it’s over, our focus returns home to the work of doing locally what we’ve talked about nationally for months. Both Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain laid out ambitious plans for change and improvement. Yet, like it so often has, the real work of change comes down to the local level.

That’s where you come in. Through Hands On Greater Portland, volunteers are doing the seminal work of building community. Volunteers care for homebound elders, tutor children, distribute food to families, and restore urban green spaces. Last year alone, Hands On made 15,000 volunteer connections – up from 5,000 just five years ago.

Hands On is at the center of change in the Portland area. We partner with 250 nonprofits, schools and community organizations a year. We build a bridge between people who want to help and organizations that need their help to meet important community needs. You might say that Hands On is helping to create a caring, supportive community for all the babies who are now walking and talking.

Please help Hands On build the bridge. Volunteer with us this holiday season. Join our Monthly Sustainers Club and help us connect even more people who want to help with the volunteer opportunities that go unfilled. I think that the Monthly Sustainers Club is a great way to leverage your donation throughout the year. A gift of $25 a month ($5 a week) amounts to more than $250 a year, for example. Here’s a great way to pool your resources with others who believe in the positive changes that Hands On creates.

To join the Monthly Sustainers Club, simply click here or call me at 503-200-3374.

Regardless of the outcome of the election, we can all agree that volunteering with Hands On works, makes lasting change, and provides a way for all of us to come together as a community.

Volunteer Profile--Per Olson

2008-11-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

How did you get involved with Hands On Greater Portland?

Friends of mine were on the early Hands On Greater Portland board, and they got me involved. I joined the board in 1997. Early on, there was no staff so we just set
up committees that did all the work creating projects, the newsletter, fundraising, etc. We all wore many hats. I was the project coordinator on a couple projects and in charge of setting up projects. That was before we hired an executive director.

What's your favorite cause?

I think I like environmental projects the best, tree planting, ivy
removal, etc.

Why is it important to you to volunteer with your family?

My wife and I started having kids 5 years ago, and so, with the exception of the big Hands On Greater Portland projects, we really haven't volunteered much over the last 5 years, until this last Spring and Summer when Hands On Greater Portland started offering the family friendly projects. The kids are old enough to at least attend and get some benefit out of it (they don't really do much actual volunteering). It's a great family activity. It's healthy, keeps us active, and it's educational for the kids.

What do you see as the benefit of encouraging kids to volunteer?

It's all about instilling values in them at a young age: just the fact that they're outdoors or doing productive work on a day where they might otherwise be sitting in front of the tv or going at one another; also, the value of community, and helping others; I hope they also see it as a fun thing to do, and a chance to meet new people.

Boomer Initiative update

2008-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am inspired by the book that we are reading for our Books-to-Action project, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. In his explorations of four geographical areas (Blue Zones) in which people live long, vital and productive lives, author Dan Buettner discovers that social connections, giving back to others and having a sense of purpose contribute to longevity, health and well-being. We all know that volunteering lifts up the lives of others and betters our community. It’s also encouraging to know that giving back to our community supports our own quality of life.

In collaboration with the Boomer Initiative at the Multnomah Library and Life by Design NW, our Hands On Boomer Initiative (formerly Life by Design) is offering several opportunities for you to learn more about making live-enhancing choices for yourself while connecting with others around purpose and engagement. In addition to the book discussion on November 2nd, we invite you to volunteer with Hands On at the National Conference on Positive Aging, live-satellite viewing at Marylhurst University. We are also beginning an affinity group for Boomers and older adults to gather in mutual support as we explore our purpose through civic engagement. It’s exciting and inspiring as we co-create ways to up-lift others while living our own lives with more intention, purpose and connection.

For more information about the Hands On Boomer Initiative and our projects, visit our webpage.

--Karen Beal

Meet Our New Americorps Members

2008-09-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hands On Welcomes Molly, Amelia, and Robyn – Our Three New AmeriCorps Members!

On September 2, Hands On welcomed three new AmeriCorps members to take over the roles of Volunteer Services Coordinator, Washington County Coordinator, and Youth & Family Coordinator for their 08/09 term of service. As Kimmy, Rachel, and Lydia moved on to embrace new and exciting opportunities, Amelia, Robyn, and Molly have spent the last month settling into their new roles, and we’re very excited to have such a dynamic team for the upcoming year! One’s a proud Duck… another sings in a whopping three choirs… and the third finds her inspiration in the realm of public health. Find out who’s who below!

Amelia Lamb:

I am thrilled to be coming on board Hands On Greater Portland as Volunteer Coordinator, with all the opportunities it presents to express my passion for volunteerism and to cultivate positive community-building relationships. I started volunteering in high school with the Oregon Bus Project, and after graduating I left Portland for Tacoma, WA and the University of Puget Sound, pursuing dual studies in Music and Politics & Government.

In my spare time I sang in the opera program, spearheaded a benefit concert for disaster relief, planned events around diversity and social justice, and put together a series of community-building volunteer projects and fundraisers entitled “Conspiracy of Hope”. I also worked as an Outreach Coordinator at the school’s Community Involvement and Action Center, where I helped students get involved with volunteerism throughout Pierce County. From there it was a natural progression to my position at Hands On. When I’m not working I sing in three choirs, read, travel, hike, and enjoy the company of my friends and family.

Molly McFatrich:

I recently joined Hands On Greater Portland as the Youth and Family Program Coordinator and I’m so excited to start developing projects for these energetic populations!

I have just moved to Portland and I am looking forward to volunteering in a city with so many diverse opportunities. My love of volunteering started when I was a girl scout and since then I have dedicated myself to a variety of projects, primarily in public health.

In my free time I enjoy sewing, exploring Portland, creating Oregon friendships, taking naps, sunshine and Arrested Development.

Robyn Hoppes:

I recently moved to Portland after graduating from the University of Oregon in the fields of Planning, Public Policy, and Management and Geography. It was during my time as an undergraduate that I truly became passionate about connecting with my community through volunteer experiences. I spent a great deal of time seeking out service projects, especially concerning the environment and homelessness. I came to realize that students at the university really didn’t have an avenue to be involved in service. Knowing how important my experience in service had been, I devoted a significant amount of time to developing ways that students could be involved in their community and promote positive change.

As the new Washington County Coordinator with Hands On Greater Portland, I couldn’t be more excited to continue working in the volunteer field and help individuals connect with meaningful opportunities.

In my off time I enjoy traveling, cooking, hiking, camping, pickling, Oregon Duck games, and discovering and exploring new places.

What is the Citizen Action AmeriCorps Program? The Citizen Action AmeriCorps program is a program of Points of Light & Hands On Network, the umbrella organization of Hands On Greater Portland. The AmeriCorps members at Hands On Greater Portland take part in the Affiliate Based Capacity Building program model, which places members at Hands On affiliates to support volunteer recruitment, training, and leadership development for both volunteers and community partners.

Nominate Your Favorite Volunteer or Agency!

2008-09-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Heart of the Community Award nominations are now being accepted. The online nomination form is simple and brief. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2008.

Learn more >> or Nominate today >>

Partner Spotlight: The Bus Project presents Trick or Vote!

2008-09-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Focused on people-to-people politics, the Bus Project is a local Oregon nonprofit determined to bring voters out of the woodwork in fun, engaging, and creative ways. Heavily reliant upon volunteer support, the organization focuses on mobilizing activists and championing voter registration among the younger generations, the bus project is probably best known for its wacky candidate forums such as Candidates Gone Wild, which mixes debate with music, talent show competitions, and some pretty colorful costumes.

Come this October, however, the Bus Project takes the costume approach one step farther with Trick or Vote, anticipated to be the nation’s largest nonpartisan Get-Out-The-Vote-Canvass. Scheduled for the one day of the year when households fully expect a knock at the door, Trick or Vote will draw hundreds of costumed volunteers in Oregon alone to knock on doors on October 31st and encourage folks to submit their vote before the November 4th cut-off. The Bus Project sites evidence that peer-to-peer contact can increase voter participation by as much as 8-12%, especially among younger voters. And for many of the costumed volunteers making this contact, Trick or Vote marks the first time they’ve ever volunteered for a political event. All in all, it’s civic engagement at its best – fun, creative, and crucial in making those last-minute connections and encouraging voter turnout before the following Tuesday.

Love democracy and dressing up? Interested in making a difference this election season? You may be too old to trick or treat, but you’re never to old to Trick or Vote! Sign up to volunteer on Halloween for one or both of two scheduled canvasses. The first "after school" round starts at 3:30 and ends around 7:30, the "after work" round starts at 5:00 and ends around 8:30. All volunteers are invited to attend the Ghouls and Goblins Gala post-canvassing, for an epic Halloween dance party to round out the night!

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER at www.TrickorVote.org

The Portland Century Was a Great Ride!

2008-08-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, August 24th, more than 1,700 riders turned out to participate in the 2008 Portland Century, a benefit for Hands On Greater Portland. Five of those riders were Hands On staff members, ready to pump some pedals for 25 to 50 miles in support of our favorite nonprofit!

The Portland Century is an annual event that takes riders on three different routes (25, 50 or 100 miles) in and around the Portland area, with some delicious, locally-catered rest stops along the way. A portion of the proceeds from participants’ registration comes to Hands On to help us in our mission to engage volunteers throughout greater Portland.

A big thanks to everyone who rode, volunteered or donated pledges!

Did you ride in or volunteer for the Portland Century? Email melia@handsonportland.org to share your photos and stories! Or tag your Flickr photos with “handsongreaterportlandcentury” - check out the photos >>

Update: Hands On's Life By Design Program

2008-08-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Last month, Hands On announced the beginning of our new Life by Design program aimed at engaging Boomers and older adults in civic engagement. Since then, interested Boomers and non-profit partners have connected with us, expressing their passion and needs regarding this movement of Boomers who are increasingly focused on giving-back to our communities with their knowledge and gifts.

As I talk with folks about our program, I realize how aware and invested Portlanders are in this cultural shift. There are many experienced and innovative organizations such as, RSVP, AARP and Life by Design NW already dedicated to assisting Boomers in creating our lives with positive intention. Knowing this, I am grateful for the abundance of creative opportunities in greater Portland. This collective focus definitely empowers the movement. As usual, Portlanders help to lead the way!

Get directly involved with Life by Design NW through volunteering with their October Encore Careers series >>

And, to dig deeper into the current opportunities now developing through our Hands On Life by Design program, please visit the Hands On Life By Design web page >>

TeamWorks: Focus on Bikes + Alternative Transportation

2008-08-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

September is Bike-Commute Challenge Month!

Interested in a bike-centered teamworks in honor of the challenge? We’re in the process of organizing a short-stint teamworks (4 occurrences) all about bikes and alternative transportation, which will run mid-September through mid-October. Email lydiazoe@gmail.com if you’re interested in learning more once this teamworks goes live!

Partner Spotlight: The Children’s Book Bank

2008-08-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Eliminating the book equity gap for children in low-income households!

Danielle Swope, founder of the Children’s Book Bank, served as a Teach for America high school math teacher in rural North Carolina from 1991 to 1993, and it was there that she witnessed firsthand how students from poor families struggled to succeed in school.

“Interestingly, the most significant obstacle to teaching math was that my students' reading skills were so limited. The high school in which I taught was neither underequipped, nor understaffed, nor underfunded, as I was expecting when I arrived. Rather, upon reflection, it became clear that the lack of resources at home was a contributing factor, and that the students I taught had, years before, arrived in kindergarten lacking the foundational literacy skills on which their future educations would be built.

In his book, Savage Inequalities, Jonathan Kozol speaks of the inequalities that define the education of children who come from poor families. But inequalities exist well before a child steps foot in the classroom. For children in poverty, one of the biggest obstacles to literacy development (which begins at birth) is the scarcity of books in the home. While the ratio of books to children in middle-income neighborhoods is approximately 13 books to 1 child, the ratio in low-income neighborhoods is 1 book to 300 children, according to one 2006 research report. Consequently, without a variety of rich reading materials in the home, children in poverty enter school significantly behind other children in developing pre-reading skills such as knowledge of letters and their sounds, left to right eye movement, concepts of print, rhyming, sequencing, etc.

It's been many years since my Teach for America experience, but I've finally been able to turn the insight gained by it into action by creating The Children's Book Bank here in Portland. Launched this past spring, The Children’s Book Bank seeks to get more books into the hands and homes of young children who might not otherwise have books of their own. To this end, The Children’s Book Bank invites schools, clubs, congregations, and businesses to host book drives to collect the books their children have outgrown and are no longer reading. Volunteers spruce-up, sort and bundle books for distribution to low-income preschool children in the Portland area. This spring we distributed over 1200 books to children at three Portland Public Schools Head Start sites.”

Interested in volunteering with the Children’s Book Bank?

Volunteers are needed to process and sort books at their NE Glisan workspace on Sept 17, 22, and 24th. Morning and evening shifts are available and volunteers ages 14 and older are welcome to attend. Check out the upcoming September volunteer opportunities!

Interested in hosting a book drive? The Children’s Book Bank is also looking for individuals, schools, clubs, congregations, and businesses interested in hosting book drives to collect the books their children have outgrown and are no longer reading. If you’re interested, please contact Danielle at: danis@childrensbookbank.org.

An Ever Widening Circle

2008-08-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

A Circle of Friends created Hands On Greater Portland back in 1996. Today, twelve years later, a Circle of Friends continues to propel Hands On’s growth and development.

I am pleased that our new Circle of Friends has grown to include more than 125 people who support our work to connect volunteers with important needs in the community. Some of these folks have been with us for a decade. Some are new! All of them are making generous personal contributions because they believe in Hands On and the power of volunteering to improve our community.

Their support is paying off here at Hands On and in the community. The 2007-08 fiscal year was our most successful ever, as we made a record 15,000 volunteer connections throughout the metro area. Moreover, just last month, Portland was named third in the nation for volunteering, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service.

The ranking supports what we already know is true. Our community is so livable and vital because so many of us do something to make life better. Hands On taps into that energy and provides volunteers with a way to give back. Our Circle of Friends supporters, in turn, give us the strength to make these connections. My sincere thanks to all of you.

Andy Nelson
Executive Director
Hands On Greater Portland

P.S. - would you like to join our Circle of Friends? Donate >>