Current Volunteer Opportunities
Short-term & Long-term
Summer Youth Activity Leader: We’re looking for mature, reliable volunteers to lead middle schoolers (12-15 year olds) in sports activities (basketball, dodgeball, etc.) and/or arts & crafts or other group activities at and around the FH campus. Must be at least 16 years old. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1-3pm, approximately; short- or long-term. (1-4 volunteers)
Gay & Grey PDX Expo Secretary: We are in need of a secretary for the Expo Steering Committee. This volunteer would need to attend once/month meetings (Thursdays, 11am-noon), take notes, create meeting agenda, and help follow up on action items.
*SAGE Quilt: We have 6-7 past Pride and lesbian community t-shirts. If you have the interest and skill to turn these t-shirts into a t-shirt mini quilt, we’d love to meet you. We’re thinking of raffling the quilt as a SAGE fundraiser. (1-2 volunteers)
Civic Engagement Program: Lifelong Learning is looking for volunteers to help develop a civic engagement program for older adults. Volunteers will explore local nonprofits and other service-oriented agencies and connect with individuals who are knowledgeable and effective in working to address specific community issues. They also meet periodically as a group with the Program Manager to brainstorm ideas and discuss plans. They collaborate to create an effective educational forum to present different perspectives on issues and to showcase an array of good work being done to address community problems. Read full description here.
*Monthly Flyering: We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to posting flyers and newsletters at designated places around town on a monthly basis–grocery stores, community bulletin boards, etc. Some in NW but many others maybe in your neighborhood. Usually the first week each month. (4-8 volunteers)
Friendly Visitor #2: An older woman needs an experienced, patient and steadfast volunteer. She is very lonely and suffers from depression on and off, meaning that consistency is important to her. However, she can also be incredibly witty, friendly, and fun. She is a retired teacher who lived in the NW area for many years, but is temporarily in a higher level of care facility. She may be moving in the next month back to NW or SW Portland. We are looking for a volunteer who has the time to do some phone visiting in addition to occasional friendly home visits at the facility. A volunteer should have understanding of depression. (1 volunteer)
Friendly Visitor #4: An older male who has anxiety when it comes to sorting through mail & paperwork has expressed a need for more help. He’d like a volunteer who can help him with his piles of mail once a week. Some issues to consider: this senior has some challenging behaviors, is somewhat illiterate, generally likes appointments in the morning, and always needs someone to call before coming over (but does not often answer his phone). He can be a good companion. (1 volunteer)
Friendly Visitor #10: An older man who lives in a one bedroom apartment in NW Portland would like the help of a volunteer who is available for ongoing in-home support (once every other week) for housekeeping/organizing help. (1 volunteer)
Gay & Grey PDX Expo Planning: The Gay & Grey PDX Expo is an annual health and resource fair hosted by Friendly House for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. The 5th annual Expo will take place on Saturday Oct 12th 2013. We are currently beginning to plan for this year’s Expo and have many volunteer opportunities. Click here to see a list of the planning committees and some volunteer ideas. (4-8 volunteers)
Volunteer Application for Short- and Long-term Projects
One-time
*Senior Summer BBQ: Friday, July 12th, 11:30am-1:30pm. Always a fun, relaxed event. But it will keep volunteers busy and engaged. Help make it special for attending seniors by setting up, preparing food, helping seniors get food & have fun, cleaning up. (6-12 volunteers)
*Sand in the City: July 19-21st. We’re participating in (and are a beneficiary of) this amazing and fun event downtown. As such, we’re helping provide volunteers for a variety of tasks. Sign up online. We also need volunteers to staff the Friendly House info table, 10am-9pm Friday & Saturday; 10am-3pm Sunday. (15-20 volunteers)
*SAGE Summer BBQ: Friday August 9th, noon-2pm. Arguably the funnest event of the summer. You can make it special for LGBT seniors: help with set-up, decorating, preparation; spend quality time with attendees; clean up afterward. (6-8 volunteers)
One-time Volunteer Application (or send an email). If you completed a long-term volunteer application already, no need to complete both.
An asterisk (*) indicates a potential group project. Group Volunteer Application.
Ongoing
Internships: We often have internship opportunities for students & others wishing to develop relevant professional skills & gain experience in a social services setting. Internships may include seniors, children, families, administration, events and more.
Senior Program volunteer orientation: The last Wednesday each month, 6-7pm, you can learn about the latest and ongoing opportunities to work with seniors. RSVP required.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@friendlyhouseinc.org with questions.
For a list and descriptions of ongoing volunteer opportunities, please click here:
