Youth Outreach
All of these programs qualify for the off-campus federal work study internship program.
SMART- Start Making a Reader Today
The SMART book and reading program is a nonprofit organization that matches at-risk kindergarten, first graders, and second graders with community mentors in public schools throughout the state of Oregon. SMART reading partners read with and to students for a minimum of one hour a week from October through April. Founded in 1991, SMART has grown from 8 pilot schools to 140 schools statewide. SMART's mission is to enhance the reading skills, attitudes, and life prospects of children who need assistance and to allow adult volunteers and communities to experience the rewards of enriching young lives.
Further information and application available on the SMART website. To see schools in the Reed area and programs times, please download this list of Reed Area Schools for 2007-2008 or email Caitlin Bellis.
Woodmere Elementary
Interested in working with Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders?
Tutored before and want to take on a bigger challenge? Want to develop
teaching skills or prepare for further work as an educator? Woodmere
Elementary School is a thriving multicultural learning community within
biking distance of Reed. Its Extended Day program is seeking students
to teach meaningful classes one to three afternoons a week from 4pm to
5pm. Previous classes have included: Clay Arts, Dance, Singing,
Frisbee, and Yoga. You make your own curriculum and schedule!
Federal-Work Study pay available.
Contact: SEEDS Intern Naomi Zeichner. Location: 7900 SE Duke Street.
Please also see the Reed-Lane Partnership, Project Eye-to-Eye and Yellow Brick Road: Homeless Youth Outreach.
Other Youth Focused Volunteer Opportunties in Portland:
Kids on the Block
Our mission is to use the power of puppetry to help children understand and value differences in one another and to teach them how to stay healthy and safe. Our programs address important topics such as preventing child abuse and school violence, making healthy choices about eating and physical activity, and appreciating cultural diversity and people with different abilities. Training required for Puppeteer Volunteers: 6 evening sessions, 1 a week for 3 hours. Volunteer commitment: 1 school session every month (1 hour total). Volunteers could do it every week if they wanted. Next training starts in late September, or as needed. Contact: Lynette Jelinek, (503) 736-3200, or via the Kids on the Block website. Location: Office: 824 SE 12th Avenue, Performances happen throughout the area at local schools.
Mt. Scott Learning Center
Our two fully accredited learning centers are specially designed for middle school and high school students who benefit from a non-traditional learning environment. We provide a safe, nurturing, challenging environment in which most of our students discover for the first time what it means to succeed. Volunteer Opportunity: Tutor, class assistant: Work with students either 1-1 or in small groups, helping them develop and apply math skills and/or language arts skills. We are seeking tutors who are creative, self-directed, and feel confident in their ability to help students in both Language Arts and Math. Mt. Scott Learning Center. Contact: AmeriCorps member, 503.771.8880 Location: 6148 S.E. Holgate.
OCHA
The Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement’s educational and advocacy activities empower Hispanics to make positive changes in their lives to optimize their future success. 1-1 Student Tutor: Work one on one with a LISTOS student who is unable to participate in a classroom setting due to special needs. Offer tutoring support to this bright, respectful student who feels extremely uncomfortable in groups. Worksite is OCHA offices. Specific duties include: Tutor in basic math, Help with ESL, Tutor in Spanish Literature, and Provide support and encouragement for completion of assignments. Job to last 12 weeks (fall term). 1-5 volunteers are needed. Days of Week: Any day, Monday-Friday. Hours Per Week: 9-11:15 AM or 11:45-1:45 PM. OCHA. Contact: 503-228-4131 and ask about volunteering.
OMSI
Volunteer Educator: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
(OMSI) is a scientific, educational, and cultural resource center
dedicated to improving the public's understanding of science and
technology. OMSI puts the "wow" in science for the kid in each of us!
Please check out their website for a list of current openings for
Volunteer Educators and for more information. OMSI Volunteer Page. Contact: Carol Cruzan, VolunteerServices@omsi.edu or 503.797.4615, Location: 1945 SE Water Avenue
Portland Impact
Portland Impact is a non-profit social services agency serving over 40,000 people a year. Portland Impact's mission is to prevent and alleviate the effects of poverty through advocacy and individual and family support services. We are committed to helping people in Northeast and Southeast Portland communities achieve self-sufficiency. Opportunities with youth include Parent-Child Program Assistant and Mentor. For more information on mentoring, please see Portland Impact. For the Parent-Child Program Assistant position, who primary responsibility is to supervise play and literacy activities for children, ages birth to five years, whose parents are participating in Center activities, please contact volcoord@portlandimpact.org or 503-988-4996 x265. Opprotunties are in various locations in mostly SE Portland.
Still looking for an opportunity to match your interest?
Many great volunteer tutoring opportunities are available through
the SEEDS office. The goal of the educational outreach program with
SEEDS is to combine resources and volunteers to help out in the greater
community. The partnerships that have been established have been done
so because these organizations have proved to provide Reedies with
positive tutoring, mentoring, or teaching experiences. There are many
other agencies in Portland that offer wonderful programs. Students with
specific interests are encouraged to browse the SEEDS database, and to discuss their interests with the SEEDS Coordinator.
Please feel free to stop by the SEEDS office at 28 West near the RCA's.
Many of the tutoring opportunities are nearby and require a small time
commitment (just one or more hours a week on an allotted day). There
are opportunities to work with kids of any age group. Federal
work-study awards apply to many of these positions and pay more than
most on-campus jobs! It is a great way to get off campus, to become
involved in the greater community, and to affect others in a positive
way. Come check out these opportunities and many more.
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