Volunteer
Your Support Matters!
A neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy has been a strong tradition at Friendly House since our founding as a settlement house in 1930. We achieve our goals by recruiting and coordinating community members to assist staff by working with children, older adults and families and by helping at special events. We have over 600 individual and group volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service each year.
Sign Up on VolunteerHub
Click below to check out our current opportunities, sign up as a volunteer, and more. Feel free to contact us at volunteer@fhpdx.org for more information.
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to which you can contribute your time and talents through direct service or behind-the-scenes work—seasonal or ongoing, short- or long-term. Individuals and groups are welcome. Talk to our volunteer manager today to find a way of getting involved that works for you!
We have a variety of ways to partner with corporate teams, volunteer groups, clubs or families to create a great group volunteering experience.
We have lots of special events each year, and would love to have your support!
Senior Program & Elder Pride Services Volunteer Opportunities
From becoming a Friendly Visitor paired up with an older adult who needs some company, to folding newsletters every two months—there’s lots to do to support our elders, and we’d love your help!
Children’s Programs Volunteer Opportunities
We have volunteer positions available in our After School, Preschool, and Summer Camp programs.
Community Center Volunteer Opportunities
From teaching a class to helping with our Community Nights, there’s something for everyone at our Community Center.
Operational Support Volunteer Opportunities
Do you have a special skill that we could use at Friendly House? Support our community by providing administrative support, facilities improvements, or serving on our Board of Directors.
Important Notes
- Please visit the links below for current openings. Thank you for understanding that due to seasonal fluctuations, program needs and current volunteer schedules, some positions may not be available.
- A background check (arranged with the volunteer manager) may be required for volunteers 18 years and older.
- In most cases, individual volunteers must be at least 15 years old. There are exceptions, including special events, volunteer groups and younger teens accompanied by a parent/guardian. Please inquire.
- If we cannot fulfill your volunteer needs, you may find opportunities through William Temple House and Lift Urban Portland.
Important Downloads:
Volunteer Groups
Volunteer groups play a vital role in our work, bringing energy, teamwork and efficiency to projects and events where time matters. We are happy to host volunteer groups for currently planned volunteer events, or we can work with you to come up with a team service project that is fun and rewarding for your group.
Recent volunteer groups include SELCO Community Credit Union,, Apple, National Charity League, Nike, Slabtown Kiwanis Club, and University of Portland.
Please contact our volunteer manager volunteer@fhpdx.org or (503) 228-4391 to discuss different opportunities.
Event Volunteer Opportunities
We would love to have your help with special events! These are one-time experiences that do not normally require any special skills or previous knowledge of the service areas.
Please see the listings below for details and to sign up through our online sign-up link at the end of the listing. If you have questions, or would like more information, please contact our volunteer manager at volunteer@fhpdx.org or call (503) 228-4391.
Senior Program & Elder Pride Services Volunteer Opportunities
There are several ways to support our community’s older adults. Our Senior Program helps folks aged 60+ maintain their dignity and independence in their own homes through care coordination, transportation assistance and other services. Volunteers are essential in providing companionship and other help for our community’s isolated older adults.
Our Elder Pride Services program, which provides culturally specific services to LGBTQ+ older adults, allows volunteers to work with LGBTQ+ clients. Why is that important? Because 90% of elder care in our nation is provided by family caregivers, but LGBT older adults are more likely to live alone and have inadequate family support, which combined with discrimination from housing, medical, and other service providers, makes LGBT older adults an exceptionally marginalized group of people in our society.
Friendly House’s most popular volunteer role is as one of our “Friendly Visitors”. These are volunteers who we assign to a single client with the intention of forming a long-term friendship. These partnerships are almost always rewarding and mutually beneficial for both the Friendly Visitor and the client. If you are interested in a less lengthy commitment, we do have other Senior & Elder Pride Services program volunteer needs.
Friendly Visitors
Friendly Visitors offer companionship and a variety of supports to senior clients as needed. Some possibilities are light housekeeping, grocery shopping, yard work, support with projects, helping with pets, cooking and meal prep and/or outings together with a senior client. The clients who are interested in having a Friendly Visitors volunteer are usually experiencing isolation and need help maintaining their independence living in their own home. Not only do Friendly Visitors provide companionship to someone who may be lonely, but volunteers also help them to retain their dignity, quality of life, and ability to remain in the home of their choice instead of being forced to seek a care facility.
Friendly Visitors can request to be matched with one of our Elder Pride Services clients if that is their preference.
The onboarding process requires an orientation with the volunteer manager and a background check. Once approved, our staff will introduce you to a client, and together, you will set a schedule for your visits.
Please email volunteer@fhpdx.org if you have any questions or are interested in being added to the waitlist.
Are you an older adult interested in having a Friendly Visitors volunteer? Please contact us at referral@fhpdx.org.
Children’s Programs Volunteer Opportunities
A unique aspect of Friendly House is that we provide high-quality childcare and educational services for a broad range of families from different socio-economic situations. You may at any point in your volunteer experience work with children experiencing houselessness, economic hardship or extraordinary circumstances. We make sure that all children in our programs receive the same high-quality childcare, regardless of what their families can afford to pay, and we take special care to keep the identities of scholarship recipients confidential. A cornerstone of Friendly House philosophy is our belief that our community is strongest when we ensure that all children in our programs are having their needs met, regardless of their circumstances.
Community Center Volunteer Opportunities
Our Community Center needs instructors who are willing to donate their time to teach free classes and helpers who enjoy setting up and aiding our diverse activities. Here are a few of the opportunities we have available now:
Friendly House Committees and Board of Directors
Do you feel passionate about our community? Do Friendly House’s efforts to build community resonate with you? You might be ready to join one of our committees, or our Board of Directors. To learn more about these important roles, please visit our Board of Directors page for more information.
Friendly House is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Friendly House are tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 93-0524232.