The Vancouver/Clark County area has many great places to volunteer. Below are just a few of the organizations that gratefully accept help from volunteers. Please note: Many organizations require orientation, registration paperwork, or even a background check (usually for positions involving childcare) before you can get started volunteering for them. |
| Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington | |
The Boys and Girls Club is a youth service organization whose goal is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to develop the skills and self-confidence to say "no" to dangerous pastimes. Type of work: Assist in activities and games (arts, crafts, sports, fitness, recreation) Location: 409 NE Anderson Road |
Contact: John Andersen, Club Director 360-567-1152 |
Cascade Park Care Center |
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Cascade Park Care Center is a nursing home. Type of work: residents with activities; read to residents; write for residents; help out with daily tasks; visit; play games. Volunteer orientation happens every Thursday at 3:30 Location: 801 SE Park Crest Ave. |
Contact: Jason Webb 360-253-2879 |
| Clark Public Utilities | |
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned utility providing electric, water, and wastewater. Type of work: Restore habitat, which includes planting trees and other vegetation; clean up litter Location: 1200 Fort Vancouver Way |
Contact: Alexis Paul 360-992-8585 |
| Columbia River Mental Health Services | |
Columbia River Mental Health Services (CRMHS) is a private community mental health center. Type of work: Help with childcare, special events, and cleaning day Location: 6926 NE Fourth Plain Blvd. |
Contact: Nanette White 360-993-3000
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| Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center | |
Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center provides environmental education for local students in grades K-12 and college. Type of work: Help clean trails, maintain grounds, remove invasive plants, and do clean-up. Location: 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy. |
Contact: 360-882-0936 http://www.columbiasprings.org/events.html |
| Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF Clark County) | |
EOCF offers a wide range of critical services to low-income children and families. Type of work: Assist with various events; childcare aide Location: 10621 NE Coxley Drive, Suite 207 |
Contact: Darcy Altizer 360-896-9912 |
| Fort Vancouver Regional Library | |
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District provides information resources and services, and community and cultural events for a population of more than 400,000 residents. Type of Work: Serve on the Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB), which gives input and plans programs and services for teens in the library, and fundraising projects; create and/or maintain a website that represents the YAAB; participate in the Wednesday volunteer group doing various projects, including craft preparation, jetpack recycling, book sale preparation, mailings, etc. Location: 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. (branches also located in Battle Ground, Cascade Park, Goldendale, La Center, North Bonneville, Ridgefield, Stevenson, Three Creeks (Salmon Creek area), Vancouver Mall, Washougal, White Salmon Valley, and Woodland) |
Contact: Trish Segal 360-759-4800 |
| Rise and Stars Community Center | |
Rise and Stars Community Center (run by the Vancouver Housing Authority) provides programs and resources for VHA residents. These include: youth academic and recreation programs, family activities, and a licensed day care. Type of work: Help kids with homework; assist with sports, recreation, and arts and crafts; assist with special events. Location: 500 Omaha Way |
Contact: Sharon Linn 360-992-0205 http://www.vhausa.com/index.cfm?
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Share provides shelter, food, and emergency services through four shelters to assist people in getting back into permanent housing and alleviate the factors which lead to homelessness. Type of work: Work alongside staff and residents to help prepare and serve meals in a Community Hot Meal Program. Individuals as well as groups are welcome. Location: Various |
Contact: Dori Millay 360-735-7915 (through VCHS) http://www.sharevancouver.org/how-to-help/opportunities-to-help |
The Humane Society helps relieve suffering among animals, prevents cruelty to animals, and provides humane education. Type of work: Assist with animal care; clean cages and kennels; exercise animals; provide office help; perform grounds maintenance; help at special events. Location: 2121 St. Francis Lane |
Contact: Cassy Holcomb 360-693-4746, x. 209 |
The department provides recreation and sports programs for residents of all ages and manages nearly 7,000 acres of parkland, over 44 miles of trails, a number of community facilities, including pools, a tennis/racquetball center, and community centers. Type of work: Participate in the Parkland Stewardship program, which involves tree planting, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and environmental education. Location: Various |
Contact: Eric Himelfarb 360-619-1124 eric.himelfarb@ci.vancouver.wa.us http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/how_to_help/index.htm http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/parks_trails/urban_forestry/ |
Online service that lists thousands of volunteer opportunities (both nationally and locally). Type of work: Various Location: Various |
Contact: |
| Washington State School for the Blind | |
Washington State School for the Blind provides specialized educational services to visually impaired/blind youth ages birth-21. Type of work: Assist with various events and activities, including tandem bicycle riding, horseback riding, French club, book club, golf, judo, and games. Pick up a volunteer registration packet in the VCHS office. Location: 2214 E. 13th Street |
Contact: Adrienne Stout 360-696-6321, ext. 180 |
| Water Resources Education Center | |
The Water Resources Education Center provides environmental education through programs, exhibits, and events for the region, the community, and more than 4,000 school children annually. Type of work: Help with events, educational programs, wetlands monitoring, and other projects. Location: 4600 SE Columbia Way |
Contact: Bev Walker 360- 696-8478, ext. 8416 http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/watercenter/wrec/opportunities.htm |
