Oregon

Esther Harder works on a quilt with residents at Mennonite Village. Photo: Mark Wasser

Albany, Ore. (begins August each year)

A city of 39,000, Albany lies in the Willamette Valley, conveniently located between the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains, with Portland to the north and Eugene to the south. The Albany unit started in 1990 and has been sponsored by Albany Mennonite Church, which has a membership of approximately 100 people. Albany is primarily an industrial and agricultural town, and has a large low-income population. The Albany unit enjoys numerous opportunities to camp and hike along the coast or in the mountains. The unit also traditionally visits Seattle each year to work in a soup kitchen.

Service Opportunities

Albany Boys and Girls Club
Albany Boys and Girls Club is an organization structured for youth (elementary - high school).  The Club offers sports and after-school tutoring programs, and has several possible positions:

• Office Assistant- The office assistant answers the phones, does word processing and photocopying, deals with the public, works with children on a day-to-day basis, supervises court-ordered community service workers, helps children register for sports teams, and assists otherwise as needed.  (part- or full-time)
• Athletic Assistant- Responsibilities include working in the athletic office and coaching in nearby elementary schools (basketball, soccer, softball/baseball, wrestling and track).  (part-time)
• Program Assistant- The program assistant has opportunity to work in any of the following areas: arts and crafts, large muscle development, discovery (quiet games, science), games room, homework.  (part-time)

Activities Assistant—The Mennonite Home.
The Mennonite Home is a retirement community offering long-range services for its residents. Its facilities include villas and apartments for independent living residents, an assisted-living facility, and a nursing home with an Alzheimer’s/dementia wing. The person assigned to this job would work closely with the director to plan, supervise and participate with residents in activities such as arts and crafts, games, social events, etc. Also interviews clients in gathering histories for medical record. Includes one-on-one interaction with residents. May work in either the nursing home or assisted living areas.

Assistant Site Director—Community After-School Program.
The job of the assistant site director at Community After School Program is to participate enthusiastically and effectively in the before- and after-school program. This entails assisting in the instruction and guidance of the children in the program (usually 10-20 children, kindergarten through grade 5) as well as helping to plan elements of the program. An interest in the growth and development of elementary school-aged children will be rewarded with many meaningful relationships.

Driver/Packer—Meals on Wheels.
Meals on Wheels delivers and provides meals to elderly people who cannot prepare or shop for their own food.  Responsibilities include packaging meals and delivering them, as well as some kitchen work.  (part-time)

Elementary or Middle School Educational Aide—Albany Public School
The elementary educational aide will work in a local elementary or middle school assisting a teacher.  Responsibilities may include bulletin board decoration, record keeping, grading papers, photocopying, and working with children in both small and large group settings.  Other tasks depend on the teacher involved.  (part- or full-time)

Habitat Volunteer—Habitat Bargain Building Supply.
The Habitat Bargain Building Supply warehouse provides low cost donated building materials for the community. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. The volunteer assists with picking up donations from several counties, pricing and selling items, assisting customers, cleaning up and organizing the shop.

Albany Helping Hands.
Helping Hands is the only homeless shelter in Albany. Sponsored by the Oak Hill Church of Christ, Helping Hands houses up to 40 people a night and serves three meals a day. Helping Hands also strives to meet other needs by offering drug and alcohol rehabilitation, medial assistance, clothing, education, counseling, and job and housing placement.

• Homeless Shelter Worker- The primary responsibility of the homeless shelter worker is helping in the kitchen, but other opportunities include offering secretarial assistance, sorting through donations, observing counseling sessions, and helping with job referrals. Forming personal relationships with the homeless is also an important aspect of this position. (Part-time.)
• Office Assistant- Office Assistant -- Responsibilities: answer phones, assist guests with basic needs and information, help guests fill out of forms, monitor chore list, hand out supplies, check for head lice, accept/record donations, and assist guest coordinator and administrator. This person would be working as a team with other staff in a Christian environment. (Part-time.)

Nurse's Aide—The Mennonite Home.
After a six week training program, the volunteer would work as a certified nurse’s assistant at The Mennonite Home nursing home.

Office Assistant—Linn-Benton Mediation Services.
Linn Benton Mediation Services allows victims and their offenders to settle their differences through out-of-court mediation. It also offers mediation for families, businesses, and the community at large. Office assistant responsibilities include entering case information into the computer, answering phones, paying bills, filing and other office duties. If the person is interested, some mediation work might also be available after a training period.

Volunteer—Center Enterprises.
Center Enterprises program offers employment assistance/supervision and day care for mentally challenged adults from the community. The volunteer provides activities and companionship for the clients, accompanies and supervises outings, and builds friendships.