Community Volunteer Opportunities

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY LISTING

What is it?

The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service.

Oregon veterans can participate at any time with the help of family, friends, or loved ones, but Senator Merkley’s office wants to make sure the Veterans History Project is accessible for every Oregon veteran in every community.

To achieve this mission, Senator Merkley’s office is looking to build a team of volunteers across the state who can be called upon to interview an Oregon veteran or collect their materials for submission to the Library of Congress. They will be a crucial resource for Oregonians who would like to connect with VHP, or who need assistance conducting or recording an interview with a veteran.

Because the majority of the more than 500,000 Veterans dying each year die outside VA facilities, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and VA created the We Honor Veterans program (www.WeHonorVeterans.org) to build a collaborative network among community hospice agencies and VA Medical Centers to support and educate community hospice agencies in providing Veteran-centric end of life care. More than 80% of community hospice agencies nationwide (~5,200) have made a commitment to improve the care of Veterans on hospice. 

For more information on the VA’s hospice care in conjunction with We Honor Veterans, consider reading the VA’s factsheet: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/docs/PHCFactSheet.pdf

For more information on the national We Honor Veterans program consider viewing the information on their website: wehonorveterans.org

Locally, there are several options you can volunteer to assist. Contact a local hospice or geriatric service provider in the greater Portland metropolitan area to see if they support this program and how you can help.

ODVA is expanding its Veteran Volunteer Program statewide! If you're interested in becoming a volunteer and are 18 years of age or older, please fill out the form on the ODVA website. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether or not you served - you can make a difference in veterans' lives!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Volunteers will locate and educate aging veterans about state benefits as part of the outreach effort.
• Volunteers will educate veterans and community partners about VSO services, provide other state and federal resource information, and encourage veterans and their families to connect with those services.
• Volunteers will develop and maintain relationships with local community partners and VSO’s.
• Volunteers will work to improve the Volunteer Program and provide feedback to the Veteran Volunteer Coordinator.
• Volunteers can work closely with ODVA Trained and Accredited County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO’s)Volunteers can collaborate with County VSO’s in developing, planning and implementing outreach to local aging veterans

Time Commitment: One year or more, 8-10 hours a month.

Currently assisting with Mass Vaccination Clinic happening at Oregon Convention Center.

Roughly 70% of Team Rubicon volunteers are military veterans. Many of the skills gained in the military – things like emergency medicine, small-unit leadership, logistics, experience in austere environments – translate well to disaster response. Military service does not define a Team Rubicon member, nor is it required. Many of our volunteers are pulled from the civil service sector. Firefighters, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, teachers, and mental health providers are among the diverse careers held by TR volunteers.

The only prerequisite required for volunteering with Team Rubicon is a commitment to service. As a Greyshirt, you will be responsible for providing immediate and impactful aid to communities affected by disaster. If you are willing to raise your hand to help those in need, we’re ready to get you in a grey shirt.

Disaster relief requires a breadth of skillsets and experience. Team Rubicon offers various training tracks – from chainsaw operation to heavy equipment to disaster technology – to our members. If you consider yourself “unskilled” don’t worry, we’ll train you up.

Founded by veterans, and with over 10 years of experience in assisting the houseless population in Portland, Do Good Multnomah is a non-profit organization that partners with the community to provide permanent supportive housing and low-barrier emergency shelter to houseless Veteran. We emphasize relationship-building, one-on-one engagement, supportive services, and direct community participation, changing the way we serve houseless Veterans.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We've listed some of the ways you can volunteer below. However, if you have special skills to offer, please call us so we can discuss how you can best use your talents to help our Veterans.

• Volunteer Van Drivers Help pick-up outpatients receiving chemotherapy, dialysis, radiation therapy, and other outpatient appointments. To fill this role, you must have a current drivers license and automobile insurance and pass a physical exam. Hours: 7 a.m. to noon, or noon to 5 p.m.
• Guest Shuttle Drivers (Vancouver Campus) Help outpatients in our large parking areas with access to the Vancouver Campus. To fill this role, you must have a current driver's license. Hours: 8 a.m. to noon, or noon to 3:30 p.m.
• Office Assistant Volunteer Help different medical or administrative offices in the medical center. Duties include filing, answering phones, and greeting and directing patients. Hours: 8 a.m. to noon, or noon to 4 p.m.

Feed the Mass is a non profit organization that educates people about nutrition, cooking, and healthy lifestyles. Food empowerment is important to every day life!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• With your help, they can do great things for the community!​
• Kitchen Help (Prep, Cooking, Packaging Food)
• Ambassador Drivers
• ​Partnership Delivery Drivers
• Whatever skill you want to give to the community!

NOTE: Due to the pandemic, Feed the Mass has to collect detailed information for the safety of our volunteers and the people we serve. 

For over 50 years, Transition Projects has delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance to some of Portland’s most vulnerable residents. Whether by helping a homeless veteran and her family find housing, sheltering hundreds of people each night with nowhere else to turn, or opening new pathways to employment, Transition Projects represents an invaluable part of Portland’s social fabric.

Annual Veteran’s Stand Down Event

Normally held at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 11th,

https://www.tprojects.org/how-help-events/portland-veterans-stand-down

Note: Currently not taking volunteers due to COVID, not expected to be permanent.

Please bear in mind that PAVE needs different types of volunteers at different times. We cannot guarantee that the opportunities listed above will always be available but any help you give will be invaluable.

If you are interested in any of the volunteering roles above, please send us an email to info@paveusa.org  detailing what your interests are as well as you availability (Weekdays, Weekends, Morning, Afternoon).

As a PAVE volunteer you become part of our small family.  Thanks for your interest!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Puppy Raising
• Temporary Boarding
• Volunteer Driving
• Event Planning
• Marketing (Photography
• Public Speaking
• Hosting a Table at Events
• Grant Writing