"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Ghandi

The ability to positively impact the character and texture of a family is perhaps the greatest privilege offered to a volunteer. We have listed volunteer opportunities here for you to choose from, however, if you have other ideas or resources – please let us know by filling out the form below or calling (541) 758-8292. Anyone interested in volunteering is required to complete an application packet, complete a screening process, as well as special training designed for prospective volunteers. Download Volunteer Application in pdf form. If you cannot open pdf files, you can download and install Adobe Reader from Adobe.

Pass It On.....Become a BUDDY (mentor) for a Young Parent

We are in need of BUDDYs (mentors) to work with our young parents. The time spent with a BUDDY can be invaluable, for you and for the young parent. Being a BUDDY isn't expensive, the time commitment isn’t overly consuming, and you can do it close to where you live or work. If you have ever thought about the possibility of being a mentor, now is the time to act. Not only will you make it possible for a parent to fulfill his or her great potential; you will also embark on what might be the most rewarding experience of your life! We will train you - just come prepared to have fun, make a significant contribution to your community, bring out your inner child, and make a valuable difference in a young family’s future!

What does it take to be a BUDDY?

be a good role model
provide positive encouragement
help your parent set realistic goals
be an active listener
enjoy working with young people
be willing to commit at least 4 hours per month
be at least 21 years of age
be able to pass a criminal background check
have a current driver’s license and maintain current auto insurance
successfully complete mandatory training conducted through the agency
communicate regularly with our volunteer coordinator

A volunteer BUDDY takes the time to listen, gives advice, doesn’t judge and lets a young parent know what they have to say is meaningful. It is sitting down and listening to what's going on, it is trips to the park, afternoon shopping, watching a movie or playing a sport, but most of all its fun and rewarding! Most successful people say they had mentors along the way who guided and encouraged them. Think about family members, a teacher or coach, a neighbor, a boss, family friend or a religious leader; those people were mentors to you.

Project Cash!

If you would like to help us raise cash donations for the following projects, please give us a call! This is perfect for those who do not have much time, yet are committed in following through for a great cause. Volunteers should be detail oriented, have good communications skills, and be willing to work with our dedicated staff. You will work very closely with the agency staff and training will be provided. We do require a completed volunteer application and interview.

Current Projects:

Child Safety Equipment - car seats, crib sets, strollers, gates, safety plugs, etc.

Transportation Outreach: for the purchase or lease of a van or passenger vehicle, mileage, maintenance, insurance, etc

Volunteer Sewing Club

If you are an individual, a group, a club, who would like to be part of our volunteer sewing club to make various projects for us, please call!

Make a difference! Help a Parent Study for GED

We are helping our parents obtain their GED through collaboration with the Corvallis School District. The student parent comes to our office 2 times a week, and with the help of volunteer tutors and a certified teacher, works through GED curriculum. Parents also complete a parenting curriculum developed especially for them and their identified needs. A supervised playroom is available so the student can study while their child/ren is enjoying themselves in the playroom. Meals and snacks are offered to the parent and their child/ren.

We need volunteers to help with tutoring or to help in the playroom. Please call or stop in at our office to learn more about this opportunity. We require a minimum commitment of at least two hours per week, on the same day each week and a completed volunteer application and interview, which includes a background check. Training will be provided on an individual basis. Offer your skills, you won't regret it!

Spanish Translators Needed

We need your Spanish skills in translating documents, interfacing with Latino families over the telephone, helping with classes or events, or in being a BUDDY (mentor). Volunteers must be bilingual. Time commitment varies, so please call if you can help us out!

Share your talent with the Children of Parent Enhancement Program

We offer a supervised playroom for classes and events sponsored through our agency. We are looking for members of our community with special interests or talents who love working with children. Currently, the children associated with our agency are all under the age of 9. We provide staffing for any event, class or activity that we sponsor and our classes or events are held on a variety of days and times – call us to see if one meets your schedule! Please contact us if you are interested in sharing your skills with our children – examples include crafts, sports, music, science, playtime, reading, etc. There is an application to complete, a screening process and special training for prospective volunteers.

Host a Recreational Activity

We offer several recreational opportunities for our parents and their children. Our families have limited resources and very few have transportation. These activities give the families opportunities to a break from their normal everyday routine, to meet other families, and to learn to play and interact with their child/ren. We are looking for individuals or a group of individuals to host a recreational activity for the families we support. Share a special talent, organize a craft, lead a game session, share your love of music, dance, or theater - the possibilities are endless. The activity could be as small as exposing an individual to a local sporting event, to hosting a dance for several families. Some other ideas include hayrides, attending sporting events, bowling, going to the movies, putting together a picnic or special event, playing games, etc. We provide staffing for any event that we sponsor. Call and share your ideas and time.

Donation and Storeroom Help

We manage a children’s clothing closet, and a hygiene supply and food pantry for our families. We are also fortunate to have some adult clothing, bikes, toys and books donated for our families.  We are looking for volunteers to assist with storing, cleaning and organizing our donation areas. This task will require moving, bending and lifting.

Marketing & Communications - Work as a Team Canvassing the Community

Help spread the word about our unique agency and its programs for young parents and their children! Promote Parent Enhancement Program at community fairs or events, local businesses, and neighborhood gatherings throughout the Benton County area and beyond. This is a great way to help our agency if you are short on time. We provide the brochures, postcards, and other publicity for volunteers to distribute. Assist staff in researching potential audiences and distributing materials to libraries, shops, businesses and doctors' offices. Especially seeking volunteers to distribute materials and attend community activities in the rural areas and North Benton County. There are many projects and ideas awaiting your creativity – such as maintaining our listings in the free media publications, assisting with event planning, writing articles for publication, distribution of materials, help developing window displays or representing us at community fairs or events. Volunteers should be interested in marketing, committed to success, and be willing to work directly with our dedicated staff. You will work very closely with the agency staff and training will be provided.

Qualifications Marketing & Communications:

• Self-starter
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with respective community
• A passion for our mission, programs and services
• Ability to post, monitor, organize materials throughout the community
• Ability to conduct presentations

Making Arts and Crafts Projects with our Families

Would you like to teach our parents something you can make? Maybe how to make a beaded necklace or how to make some other kind or arts and crafts project? The class would be scheduled on a day and time that would work best for you, and works best for our parents. Usually up to 12 parents attend our classes which could be an hour or two. Our young parents enjoy spending time with someone who can help them with a craft and they really like the socialization. A supervised playroom would be available for the children of those participating, and we provide staffing for any event that we sponsor. Have ideas? Let us know. No need to be trained, you must only have patience, not expect perfection and just enjoy visiting and sharing time with the young parents.

Event Volunteers Needed
Our events are important as they bring in the much needed funding for the organization.

Depending on the event or activities, volunteers are needed to:

help obtaining event sponsors
assist with event activities: selling tickets, table coaches, raffle, etc.
help with promotion of our event/s
help in developing window displays
aid in the activity areas
help with food/snack tables
help with set-up and clean-up

Volunteers may work the full event or work in shifts. We can place you on our contact list for events. Or check our website for upcoming events, then call to help us at one of our events or to suggest a new one! Event volunteers must complete an application packet and our interview process.

Volunteer Presentation Speakers Bureau

We are looking for presenters or speakers to discuss our mission, goals and needs to local organizations. The presentation is on a DVD. Our volunteers will receive training on the use of the DVD player and projector, and general information about the agency. Local community involvement is preferred but not required.

These volunteers will represent Parent Enhancement Program at various community events, such as schools/colleges, businesses, civic groups, faith organizations, etc. You could also assist in distributing literature and disseminate information about our organization. You will work very closely with the agency staff and training will be provided.

Skills needed include:

• Good communication skills, personable and people skills needed
• A passion for our mission, programs and services
• Knowledge of Parent Enhancement Program or willingness to learn
• Flexibility

Conduct a Donation Drive (there are many opportunities!)

We are looking for groups and/or individuals to spear head donation projects and sites. These can be within churches, businesses, corporations, businesses, etc. These donations would consist of the items we need to help our families – toiletries, baby clothes, maternity clothes, class supplies and many others.  Please call us to learn more about how to conduct a donation drive for families.  You will work very closely with the agency staff and training will be provided.

Handy-Person Needed

This would be on an on-call basis to assist with the minor “handy-person” tasks at our office.

This is currently being handled by the Kiwanis Sunrisers – thank you!