Become a Volunteer!
ongoing volunteering
Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) provides trauma-informed, culturally competent services to over 1,000 kids and parents every year. Our vision is to live in a community where every family has the support and community they need to thrive.
On a daily basis, PHFS volunteers contribute to that sense of community for families. The purpose of the Volunteer Program is to help PHFS accomplish and enhance our mission. We offer meaningful opportunities for community members to join us in our work.
We are currently accepting new volunteers for the following positions: Turnover Team, Grounds Crew, Meal Provider, Kitchen Helper, and Kids Club.
About You
PHFS values diversity in its staff and volunteer team. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for open volunteer opportunities, including people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, people with lived experience, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with criminal backgrounds.
PHFS believes that intentional, systematic racism and oppression are the primary causes of homelessness, and we are working to dismantle systems of oppression within our own organization and the community as a whole. We serve a very diverse group of families, and our goal is to have staff and volunteers who reflect the diversity of our families.
Desired Volunteer Competencies:
Compassion and ability to show unconditional positive acceptance
Empathy
Curiosity over judgment
Relationship focused
Hold healthy boundaries
Desire for personal learning and being open to feedback
Adaptability
Volunteer Requirements:
Must be 18 or older.
Must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
Must have an email account and internet access
Former PHFS families are welcome to volunteer after six months have passed since receiving services.
Volunteer Commitment
Volunteers bring a sense of community and connection to PHFS. Relationships are important and we hope to build longevity amongst our volunteer team. We encourage ongoing involvement of at least one volunteer shift per month.
Onboarding
We are very intentional about how we onboard new volunteers. Our process has multiple steps. We want to ensure that you are a good fit the families we support and the culture of PHFS, and in turn, that PHFS is a good fit for you.
Attending an orientation is the first step in becoming a volunteer. Following orientation, there is an application, interview, training, and a background check. We encourage people with criminal backgrounds to apply. The only disqualifying criminal backgrounds would be:
Crimes against children (abuse, endangerment, etc.)
Crimes of a sexual nature
Domestic violence or threats
Any person-to-person violence
Hate crimes
Stalking
Volunteer Orientations:
Orientations occur virtually over Zoom on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.
Upcomings sessions will be posted here when they are scheduled.
Please check back
For questions about individual volunteering, contact TC Schumacher.
Group Volunteering
We love to foster meaningful connections with corporate groups, faith congregations, and more. For families experiencing homelessness, the most vital need is often simply to reconnect to community, and our partners help provide that connection. We appreciate the opportunity to build deep relationships with our partners. We encourage ongoing engagement and invite groups to participate in 2-4 annual experiences. Contact Director of Community Engagement, Bethany Rocci to learn about available opportunities.
Volunteers must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
