Hands On Greater Portland

Volunteering is a great way to spend time with your family! Volunteering as a family teaches children the importance of working for positive change in their community, while promoting positive values and giving your family a chance to work as a team. Service projects give kids a sense of responsibility and a rewarding result to their hard work.

Hands On Greater Portland works with the many organizations in the Portland metro area that welcome family volunteers. We identify projects that are safe and appropriate for volunteers of all ages, and note age/adult supervision requirements for youth and family friendly projects. Please feel free to always ask an agency if you can bring your family along!

Saturday, May 10th / 9:00am - 1:00pm / N Portland
Through a grant from the Metro North Portland Enhancement Fund, volunteers are needed to help provide safety-related home improvements for 30 North Portland households, for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Join us for an educational morning as we work together to create a safe homes! (8-15 year olds are welcome with an adult chaperone; otherwise the project is open to volunteers 16+)

It's a staple in the elementary school classroom: The alphabet poster. But in many other parts of the world there are barely enough funds for pencils and notebooks, much less educational materials. Bring your kids with you to participate in a fun, crafty project for a great cause. This Sunday, completed posters will be sent to schools in the Dominican Republic. (All ages)

Be a part of the work that Loaves and Fishes, in partnership with Centro Cultural, is doing within the community. Volunteers will assist with lunchtime dining room duties and possibly help with English and exercise classes with Loaves and Fishes clients! Spanish speaking skills are helpful but not required. (14+)

Portland Community Gardens provides garden space and educational events within community neighborhoods. Each month volunteers work together in the common areas

of a local community garden -- pruning, planting, weeding, and more. No experience is necessary, so roll up your sleeves and join us! (12+)

Create personalized greeting cards to brighten a senior's day! Loaves & Fishes delivers meals to homebound seniors and cards made by volunteers will be added as a personal touch to the package! (All ages)

Volunteers are needed to provide assistance for homebound disabled and elderly people, by grocery shopping for them. (All ages)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Family-Friendly Project?

How do I find Family-Friendly projects?

How do I register my family to attend?

5 Easy Ways to Volunteer as a Family

Youth Registration Form for Volunteers under 18

Family-Friendly Projects are...

-Open to families with youth and children under 18 years old (each project will indicate age and/or chaperone requirements within its description),

-Appropriate for volunteers with a variety of abilities,

-Opportunities for both children and adults to learn about important issues in their community, and to find ways to take action and make an impact!

How to find Family Friendly Projects

Visit our Family Friendly Calendar for opportunities each month. Information on age or adult supervision requirements will be listed in the project description. Also, you may filter the project calendar by changing the 'Project Attributes' at the top of the Project Calendar page.

How to Register

Parents/guardians and volunteers 14 & over:

Click on Get Started to register as a Hands On Greater Portland volunteer. Then use the Project Calendar to sign up for specific projects that fit your interests and schedule.

Volunteers 13 & under*

Once a parent/guardian is registered as a Hands On Greater Portland volunteer (see above) spots for children 13 & under may be reserved by sending an email to the Volunteer Leader (listed at the bottom of the project description). If no Volunteer Leader is listed, contact Lydia at lydia@handsonportland.org or call 503-413-8904.

*In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, users under the age of 13 cannot
register through our website. To register, please see above or contact Hands On Greater Portland directly.

5 Easy Ways to Volunteer as a Family

1. Homemade Cards: Make someone’s day with a personalized and creative card! These can be given to senior citizen homes or children’s hospitals in your area. Check out our Love Letters project as well.

2. Sort/Package: Many organizations use a warehouse to store the supplies they provide to the community. Offer your family’s time to help them keep these spaces organized.

3. Gardening/Tree Planting: Planting, weeding, and helping maintain school, community and public gardens around the city are great ways to get the family working together outside!

4. Meal Delivery: Teach your children the importance of helping those in need by bringing them along to drop off meals or food baskets to people who cannot easily leave their homes.

5. Collect Supplies: Make it a family tradition to spend a few hours putting together toiletry kits for homeless shelters, gathering books for families in transition or collecting household items for immigrant families.