At Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO), our volunteers are among our most valuable assets.
Last year, over 1,400 volunteers donated their time to EMO's programs. Our volunteers make it possible for us to serve nearly 135,000 people throughout Oregon each year.
Interested in volunteering your time for EMO? There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers – help feed the hungry, care for creation, share your wisdom, minister to refugees, help keep things running, provide community outreach, or share a special skill. Many opportunities allow for ongoing work with clients and involvement with other volunteers.
Each of the programs listed below welcomes your volunteer help. To serve through one of the avenues mentioned or for more information about volunteering, please fill out the form below, call (503) 221-1054, or send an email to emo@emoregon.org.
Volunteer Interest Form
Volunteer Opportunities
Affordable Housing
Second Home is a community response to provide housing for unaccompanied, homeless youth while they attend high school. Volunteer opportunities include providing short-term or long-term housing for a student; joining the Student Support Team; raising awareness around the issue of youth homelessness in our communities by speaking to your organization or congregation. Learn more about Second Home volunteer opportunities, fill out a Second Home Volunteer Interest Form, or email secondhome@emoregon.org for more information.
Basic Human Needs
Daily Bread Express prepares and delivers nutritious packaged meals to homebound people living with HIV/AIDS in the greater Portland metro area. Volunteer as a Meal Delivery Driver one Wednesday or Thursday each week for one to three hours. For more information, email mlewis@emoregon.org or view our HIV Services Volunteer page.
The HIV Day Center provides services for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, including nutrition, socialization and counseling. Kitchen Support Volunteers support staff in meal preparation and serving, dishwashing and cleanup one morning per week. For more information, view a full list of opportunities (week-days only) on the HIV Services Volunteer page, or contact our staff at (503) 460-3822 or hivcenter@emoregon.org.
Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) meets the urgent food needs of our Portland metro area neighbors. It depends on volunteers to deliver and organize donated food, greet and assist our guests, and stock our shelves and refrigerators for families in need. Learn more on the NEFP Volunteer page, or contact our staff at (503) 284-5470 or nefp@emoregon.org.
Refugee & Immigration
Slavic Oregon Social Services (SOSS) serves domestic violence survivors in the Slavic-speaking population in the Portland metro area and southwest Washington. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring Slavic-speaking survivors; assisting in the office; ESL tutoring; providing pro-bono attorney services or child care services. To view a full list of opportunities, visit the SOSS Volunteer page, or contact our staff at (503) 777-3437 or soss@emoregon.org.
Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR), resettles hundreds of refugees a year. You, your congregation or community organization can sponsor an individual or family by creating a hospitable environment for refugees and providing for material needs upon their arrival to the United States. Volunteers also help refugees find affordable housing, greet them at the airport, help with transportation, be a friend in time of need, and assist with other tasks necessary to a new life. View a full list of volunteer opportunities at SOAR, or contact our staff at (503) 284-3002 or soar@emoregon.org.
SOAR Immigration Legal Services provides culturally competent, immigration-related legal representation and education to low-income refugees and immigrants in and around the Portland metro area. Volunteer opportunities include Afghan Psychological Evaluation Practitioner, Citizenship Instructor, Interpreter/Translator, Legal Assistant and Pro Bono Attorney. View a full list of volunteer opportunities at SOAR Legal. To learn more, contact our staff at (503) 384-2482 or cvanderharten@emoregon.org.
Advocacy & Action
To volunteer for EMO's Public Policy Advocacy or Creation Justice, contact Britt Conroy, director of Public Policy and Creation Justice Advocacy, at (541) 602-2050 or bconroy@emoregon.org.
Events & Fundraising
To volunteer for EMO's fundraising and events, contact Kristi Baack, Director of Development, (503) 221-1054, ext. 208, or kbaack@emoregon.org.