Education
Downtown Languages works to increase opportunities for immigrants by providing language, literacy, and other educational programs. Volunteer opportunities include assisting in classrooms, fundraising, tutoring, and more. Fill out a volunteer application to get involved. You indicate when and how much time you can give in the application.
At the Eugene Science Center, you can inspire children to learn more about science, technology, and humanity. Volunteers are required to attend a 90–minute orientation and complete a background check. Volunteer opportunities range from camp counselors, exhibit guides, planetarium presenters, and more. The volunteer application is located online.
Head Start of Lane County works to enhance the development of children by offering various social services, including programs on education, health, nutrition, and more. Volunteer opportunities include working with classrooms, special projects, and gardening. Volunteers will complete orientations and trainings, and are expected to commit 1-3 hours a week on a regular schedule.
At Whole Earth Nature School, you will get to work directly with children outdoors to provide environmental education and transform their experience of being in nature. Interested individuals may attend a Volunteer Information Night to learn about the various ways they can get involved. Various positions require different skill levels and time commitments. Volunteers must pass a background check, interview, and complete a 4–hour training.
Human Rights
Civil Liberties Defense Center
The Civil Liberties Defense Center seeks to dismantle the political and economic structures at the root of social inequality and environmental destruction. They offer 2-4 internships each term. Interns help develop relationships in the community, fundraise, develop content for the website, and more. To apply and for information, email info@cldc.org.
Community Alliance of Lane County
The Community Alliance of Lane County does work with racial justice, immigration rights, climate justice, and much more. To learn about their various on-going volunteer opportunities, sign up on their website.
Volunteer to educate and mobilize citizens on our rights to local community governance. Sign up using an online application that indicates how you would like to get involved. Time commitment and tasks vary with every position. Email for more details about the position(s) you are interested in.
Contact: volunteer@communityrightslanecounty.org
Volunteer to create democracy by helping to build social movements. Join the mailing list to get updates on what volunteer positions are available. Tasks and time commitment vary with each position.
Contact: wethepeopleeugene@riseup.net
Poverty Alleviation
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore
Habitat for Humanity is committed that all people have access to affordable housing. They offer multiple volunteer opportunities in both hospitality and construction. To volunteer you must attend an hour-long orientation, and then you may sign up for any project that interests you.
Contact: chelsee.barrett@habitatlane.org or call (541) 741-1707
Food for Lane County organizes a variety of programs committed to alleviating food insecurity across Lane County. There are several volunteer opportunities, including cooking, gardening, nutrition education, and so many more. Follow the link above to see descriptions and time commitments for every position available.
Shelter Care provides behavioral health services to hundreds of individuals who are experiencing and overcoming homelessness. Follow the link to see all current volunteer opportunities.
Contact: hr@sheltercare.org
Public Health
Volunteer at a primary care medical clinic for low-income, underserved adults and their households in Lane County. Volunteers will provide administrative support. Shifts vary to accommodate volunteers’ schedules, averaging one 3–hour shift/week. To apply, complete the online application.
Contact: 458-205-6365
White Bird Clinic offers various healthcare services to individuals who are underinsured, disabled, and/or homeless. Volunteers will begin at the front desk, and then can be transferred to other positions. New volunteers must attend an eight-week training that aligns with their area of interest. Volunteer applications are available online.
Contact: volunteer@whitebirdclinic.org
American Red Cross Southwest Oregon Chapter
Volunteer to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies with American Red Cross. Volunteer opportunities include blood donation services, volunteer engagement, resource mobilization, and more. Time commitments and requirements vary depending on the position you are interested in.
Volunteer to help provide care, nurse management, and pharmaceutical support to people living with HIV/AIDS in our local community. Volunteer tasks could include distributing new syringes, conducting outreach programs, helping to raise funds, and more. Volunteers must attend a three-hour training. The volunteer application is online and time commitment is flexible.
Contact: phansen@allianceor.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Volunteer with MDA to offer support to families who are impacted by muscular dystrophy. Areas to volunteer include event coordination, community outreach, summer camps, and office assistance. The application is online, and time commitment is flexible.
Sustainability
School Garden Project
An online application for volunteering and internship opportunities can be found here: https://www.schoolgardenproject.org/volunteer/
With the School Garden Project, you will lead a small group of elementary-aged students through activities related to gardening and sustainability. Volunteers will be assigned to work with a local school, maintaining a consistent weekly schedule. You can participate with School Garden Project as a volunteer or an intern. To apply or for more information, visit their website.
Contact: 541-284-1001
Beyond Toxics
Volunteer online at https://www.beyondtoxics.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Beyond Toxics is a local environmental justice organization that utilizes grassroots organizing to protect the environment. To volunteer, fill out an online application to work on a short-term project with various nonprofits. Volunteers are asked to commit three hours per week for a three-month period.
Contact: volunteers@beyondtoxis.org
Cascadia Wildlands is a grassroots conservation organization that is committed to defending and protecting the Cascadia bioregion. Cascadia Wildlands offers multiple internships in order to support their work and get involved. Check their website for open opportunities.
Volunteer to help enhance public parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities in the Eugene community. Volunteers can get involved in advocacy, the Legacy Land Fund, or providing professional services. Email parks@eugeneparksfoundation.org to discuss current volunteer opportunities and the requirements for the position that interests you.