Volunteer

Our programs are stronger and more enriching when volunteers give the gift of time. Please join us!

Activity Assistant

Share meaningful interaction with residents and work with plants and garden materials year-round. Together with a Garden Partners’ Program Specialist, assist residents during indoor and outdoor therapeutic gardening activities within a long-term care facility. Your role may include:

• Handing out tools and materials to residents;
• Positioning wheelchairs so residents can participate in activities;
• Assisting residents as they touch, smell and observe plant materials (as directed by staff);
• Loading/unloading plants, tools and supplies for activity sessions; and,
• Set-up/clean-up participant work areas; wipe tables, sweep floors, collect and clean tools.

Qualifications: Some gardening experience is helpful but not required. A background or interest in working with older adult populations is highly desirable. Compassion, patience and flexibility are a must! All Activity Assistant volunteers must pass a background check.

Commitment: Ongoing, weekly schedule — two hours per week preferred. This includes travel time to and from facility and some preparation and cleanup with Garden Partners’ staff.

Gardening Assistant

Ongoing opportunity with flexible hours and seasonal variety. In collaboration with a Garden Partners’ Program Specialist, help keep facility gardens looking their best by assisting with watering, planting, weeding, moving pots, loading/unloading plants, tools and supplies for planting, and special projects.

Qualifications: Some gardening experience is helpful but not required. Interest in working on gardening projects in collaboration with Garden Partners and/or Facility Staff. Able to lift 5-10 pounds.

Commitment: Open and flexible — schedule to be set with Garden Partners’ Program Specialist.

Construction Assistant

Use your construction tools and skills for such projects as building planters, garden structures, trellises and stands for raised planter boxes.

Qualifications: Constructions skills, tools and access to a workshop. Able to lift 5-10 pounds.

Commitment: Open and flexible — schedule to be set with Garden Partners’ Program Specialists.

One-Time Events

Great “on-call” opportunity to volunteer as your schedule allows. Also great for community groups (scouts, teams, etc.) Help with Garden Work Parties throughout the year (clean-up, weeding, trim/haul away debris, transplant, build planters/structures and much more) to help keep the facility gardens at their best for residents to enjoy.

Qualifications: Enjoy working outdoors and be able to physically participate in work party activities.

Commitment: Sign up to be “on-call” and participate in at least one work party per year.

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P.O. Box 13280 Portland, Oregon 97213-0280	503-288-1280 info@gardenpartners.org
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