Never doubt that a small group of committed

people can change the world. Indeed, it is

the only thing that ever has.

                                                                                           - Margaret Mead

To our fabulous Oregon teachers:

You may have a classroom of only 35 students, but by teaching them the value of volunteering, you will be affecting an entire community. Volunteer projects provide a hands on experience, an alternative teaching tool and an introduction for your students to understand the importance of civic engagement. We have included resources below that will help you incorporate volunteerism into your curriculum. Please contact Hands On Greater Portland with questions or help in setting up a project.

Community Service Field Trips

These agencies have experience in working with groups of students and combining learning with hands on activities.

Projects in your Classroom

No need to organize a trip off-campus; here are some projects that can be completed right in your classroom.

Resources for Service-Learning Curriculum

Get tips on how to include volunteerism and projects in your lessons. You can adopt an entire curriculum or use pieces that apply to your grade level and interests.

Community Service Field Trips

Tryon Life Community Farms

Contact: Kelly Hogan

503-245-3847 (Ask for Kelly)

Nestled into Tryon Creek State Park in S.W. Portland is the intersection of rural, urban and wild. On this rare landscape, people are coming together to teach and learn the skills needed to ensure a sustainable future city. They have a fabulous program for students anywhere from Kindergarten to High School. They can accommodate big groups who work with great staff and an large array of projects.

Portland Community Gardens

Contact: Leslie Pohl-Kosbau

503-823-1612

PCG provides gardening and greening opportunities for the physical and social benefit of the people and neighborhoods of Portland. There are 28 community gardens located throughout the city, developed and operated by volunteers and Parks staff.

Oregon Food Bank

Contact: Amy Evangelista 

503.282.0555

The Oregon Food Bank is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and its root causes. Food from a variety of sources moves through our warehouses to a network of 18 regional food banks across Oregon and 3000 local agencies in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties as well as Clark County, Washington.

Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation

Contact: Melissa Marcum

A variety of volunteer opportunities in Washington County for volunteer 12 and older. Projects range from environmental opportunities to special events.

Projects in your Classroom

We have developed a list of projects that can be done in your classroom.  We also recommend that you reach out to nonprofits ahead of time to be sure that you are making items that are truly needed.  Reach out to a school, a homeless shelter, or a senior center before making items for them.  Their needs are always changing and it's best to make something that is really needed!

Love Letters

Students will love knowing this crafty project is helping make someone smile. The students can make cards for children who are ill, seniors who are homebound, or local Portland heroes. Cards can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose, but it’s the personal touch that makes this project so special. Reach out to local agencies to find one that will make use of your cards, or visit www.makeachildsmile.org to find children who are in need of cards.

Alphabet Project

There are classrooms in the US and abroad that don’t have simple posters on their walls to help students learn. Alphabet posters are a staple in most classrooms and chances are, your students haven’t thought twice about where they came from. Give each student a letter and the freedom to decorate it however they choose. Each letter should be done on a 5x7 piece of cardboard or sturdy paper and it helps if the letters are generally the same size. If you are in need of inexpensive art supplies, try these options:  SCRAP, Schoolhouse Supplies, or try searching on craigslist. Once the posters are assembled, find a local classroom in need of an alphabet poster.

Placemat for a smile

In homes, community centers, and hospitals residents are often eating in cafeteria style dining rooms. Decorated paper placemats is a small gesture that can make dinner feel more personal or more like home. You can contact a local hospital or community center for blank paper placemats and invite each student to decorate one. Perhaps if they are laminated they can be used over and over rather than just once.

Birdhouses

Students can use milk cartons, wood, pinecones, etc to make homemade bird houses. This is a great way to teach students about the connection between their actions, nature, and environmental education. If your school has a garden, these may be a great addition. If not, Parks & Rec or other environmental organizations will often hang them for the spring.

Penny Drive

A project, tried and true. This project gives the students experience with counting and math, it gives them a sense of leadership within the student body and the school community, and it provides a relatively easy way to support a charity. Everyone has pennies sitting around! Once students have agreed upon an issue they would like to support, refer to the Hands On list of nonprofit partners for ideas on who to donate the money to.

Resources for Service-Learning Curriculum

National Youth Leadership Council

NYLC is a leader in K-12 service-learning. On their website you can learn about standards for quality practice and discover lesson plans. You can also join the Generator School Network, where you can connect with other schools committed to service-learning.

Energize, Inc.

Work to shape volunteer leaders in your classroom. Energize, Inc. offers a variety of resources that you are sure to find helpful!