Double Your Impact!  Did you know that many companies match employee contributions of volunteer time with funds?  We encourage you to check with your employer and take advantage of this opportunity to Double Your Impact!


Join us
September 9, 2016 at the Portland Art Museum
 as we honor local humanitarian and volunteer extraordinaire, Gary R. Maffei and hear from keynote speaker, Ann Curry.
In this issue:
Follow us on social media!!

Our Facebook and Instagram presence is growing, but we need you to join us! 

Social media is a fantastic way for VOA Oregon to build community and spread the word about our services.
Will you be our ambassadors? 



Program Spotlight: Men's Residential Center
VOA Oregon's Men's Residential Center's (MRC)  mission is to provide treatment, education and prevention both to our participants and to the larger community. Our efforts are validated as individuals choose recovery and are able to rebuild relationships with their families  and become better dads, husbands and sons. 

The MRC provides intensive substance abuse treatment for men involved in the criminal justice system. Our proven model helps men recover from addiction and contribute to their communities while enjoying a sober life. For approximately six months, men live in a supportive and sober environment, build positive relationships with others, and learn ways to cope and celebrate without the use of substances.

Our residential counselor volunteers are essential in helping staff and supporting our clients. From front desk support, everyday operations, and client interactions, our volunteers help keep things running smoothly. Volunteers also support our yoga classes, act as recovery mentors, and interns from the National University of Natural Medicine provide naturopathic and Chinese medicine. With volunteer support, we're able to provide holistic treatment for our residents.

The volunteer program at the MRC is very strong and volunteers stay a long time because of the supportive community of staff and clients. Barbara Adkisson does a fantastic job of managing a diverse pool of well over 100 volunteers and interns annually!

What are volunteers saying about the MRC? 

"In the midst of lives being rebuilt, there will be this one connection in the day; this one conversation with a client and I know that something is clicking for him. Something is making sense. And that person's life is never going to be the same."

"I laugh more today because of my MRC experience. The friendships I built there come from a base where we all understand immense suffering, and that we don't have to stay stuck in that pain."
Celebrate Men in Recovery at the MRC Block Party!
VOA Oregon's Men's Residential Center (learn more above) embraces a culture of celebration and recovery. Our participants and alumni are honored and celebrate recovery in a multitude of ways. Through coming to our annual block party, picnics, alumni celebration, or playing on our alumni clean and sober softball team, individuals here discover how to celebrate life without the use of substances.

The annual summer block party serves 300-400 people; current clients, their friends and families, alumni and neighbors. Your volunteer support helps the MRC to provide quality engagement of current and past clients and their families and increases community outreach. 

Volunteers provide activity support so staff can mingle and socialize with participants. Enjoy a meal, festive atmosphere, and engage with a population that is achieving a new way of life.
 
Project Overview: 
3:30 pm - Orientation to the MRC, the Block Party, and volunteer roles.

4:00 pm - Event Support
  • Food Service: Set-up and serve guests.
  • Activity Assistant: In pairs, assist MRC staff in monitoring children's activities.
    • Choose from: bounce house, making shaved ice, serving cotton candy, and assisting balloon artist and face painter.
7:00 pm - Clean-up
  • Pack up reusable materials for storage, fold tables, chairs, etc.
  • Clean area in preparation for reopening street.
For more information or to volunteer, email Kelsey at [email protected], See you there!
New Volunteer Opportunity
Looking to learn a new skill? Have a friend who wants to get involved? VOA Oregon has an exciting new role open in our development department. Help us spread the word!

Gain experience in nonprofit fundraising, specifically in-kind donation solicitation, and help expand capacity of our programs and events. 

Volunteer Organizations and Groups
Thank you to this quarter's volunteer groups, organizations and companies that shared their time with VOA Oregon. Group volunteering is a great way to build camaraderie and help VOA Oregon accomplish big things. If you have a group interested in volunteering, email [email protected]. We've hosted groups of five volunteers all the way up to 60!
  • Mentor Graphics
  • Portland Internetworks
  • Wieden+Kennedy
  • Standard Insurance
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Genentech
  • World Affairs Council
  • Deloitte
  • Intel
  • JOIN
Group Project Highlight
On June 21st, 46 Mentor Graphics employees graciously shared their morning at the Family Relief Nursery transforming the Toddler and Preschool playgrounds and gardens into beautiful and peaceful and spaces. The gardens are filled and ready to produce healthy food and the playgrounds are spruced up and cleaned. There are new sheds, picnic tables, an arbor, bird houses, and more, all to make the Nursery a more welcoming and engaging space.
 
We're grateful for Mentor Graphics' generosity that enabled us to make these purchases and transform the space all in one day! Fun fact: Mentor Graphics began this project when they joined us in 2011. It was wonderful to see their work come full circle.   
VOA Oregon Wish Lists
In addition to volunteer time and financial contributions, VOA Oregon and our clients rely on generous in-kind donations. We are always in need of hygiene items, new socks and underwear, and gently used clothing of all sizes.  Please consider donating some of the items off our wish list. 

Call the number of the program listed on the website to make a donation drop off or contact Kelsey Stark at [email protected] to make arrangements.
Volunteer Spotlights
In an effort to showcase the work our awesome volunteers are doing and spread the word about our 32 programs, we're highlighting one stand out volunteer each month. With over 1,000 volunteers annually, it's hard to choose just one volunteer, but we want to show the community how you're making a difference. Check out the links below to read the past five months' stories. We can't wait to share yours, too.
Kelsey Stark
Volunteer Services Manager
503-595-2009
Our Mission: To change lives by promoting self-determination, building strong communities and standing for social justice.