Among the other popular New Year’s resolutions of saving money and reading more books is the goal of volunteering and getting more involved in your community. Portland is home to thousands of nonprofits; within them, there are many volunteer opportunities. Beyond the nonprofit sector, many individuals have formed collectives and mutual aid groups offering material aid, legal support and more. 2025’s New Year’s resolutions might even have extra heft, with many motivated to fortify human rights during the impending Trump administration.
With climate change, homelessness, hunger, human rights and more at the forefront of Portlanders’ minds, volunteering your time, skills and resources is a small but mighty effort to address issues impacting your community. Scott Kerman, Blanchet House executive director, encourages those interested in volunteering more this year to start by identifying and trying out different organizations or groups to find the right fit.
Why volunteer?
Blanchet House offers robust meal, residential and clothing programs. The nonprofit serves three meals daily, six days a week in Old Town. The bustling meal program offers a place for volunteers to also build relationships with the residents and each other.
“Our volunteers form really good community with one another, make friends with one another, which is sometimes hard to do as you get older,” Kerman said. “We probably don’t emphasize enough that sense of community that can come from volunteering.”
For every meal served at Blanchet House, about 12 to 15 volunteers are needed. Those volunteers may serve drinks or bus tables as 60 guests are seated at once, and another 60 will be served within an hour. While some volunteer opportunities are a chance to donate your existing time and skills, volunteering also offers a chance to learn new skills, with some organizations providing training and workshops to fulfill volunteer roles.
Volunteer opportunities also provide space to challenge preconceived notions or beliefs and allow individuals to better understand the struggles of their neighbors. Among volunteers at Blanchet House, Kerman said he sees serving a meal to others as an intimate experience.
“I’ve heard from so many volunteers who said being down here, and being in that environment has really opened their perspective in terms of homelessness,” Kerman said. “It really underscores the humanity and the individuality and the challenges of people who need our services. They see the mental health crisis up front. They see the effect of substance use up front.”
Another local nonprofit, Street Books, brings its mobile bicycle-powered libraries filled with books and survival supplies to increase access to literature for those living on the streets. The organization’s volunteer program is currently being built, and the best way to involve those interested in supporting their mission is being planned.
Monica Beemer, Street Books operations and development director, works with the organization’s volunteers. Street Books began as an all-volunteer group, and it is now staffed but continues to work on building its “volunteer muscle, ” as Beemer calls it. Like Kerman’s advice, when looking for a place to start your volunteer journey, “start with groups you love,” Beemer said.
For those new to volunteering, Beemer also advises to be prepared with your needs and boundaries as a volunteer. Knowing your availability and physical needs and advocating for yourself can create a more fruitful volunteering experience. Beemer also emphasizes the importance of communication and commitment as a volunteer. When possible, do what you say you’re going to do and follow through, Beemer said.
Mutual aid versus volunteering
There is more than one way to get involved. While more traditional efforts tend to focus on volunteering for established organizations, more mutual aid groups have cropped up since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, the Sweaty Buttcrack Collective began crowdfunding on social media to get vulnerable individuals into hotels as a means of temporary shelter during extreme weather events, domestic violence situations and other instances, according to their social media. Similarly, you can contribute to one of the local free fridges or pantries organized by PDX Free Fridge. One can drop off food or hygiene products at any active fridge or pantry site. You can also host a fridge of your own with guidelines from PDX Free Fridge outlining how to best maintain and get your free fridge started.
Where to support?
Whether it be environmental issues, cycling, food justice or homelessness that motivates you most, here are a few groups and organizations you can volunteer or work with in 2025:
- Friends of Trees
- Neighbors for Clean Air
- Blanchet House
- Portland Street Medicine
- Oregon Justice Resource Center
- Community Cycling Center
- Sweaty Buttcrack Collective
- PDX Free Fridge
- Depave
- Milk Crate Kitchen
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This article appears in January 8, 2025.