This article features organizations just outside Eliot to help our residents learn what exciting opportunities are located around our amazing neighborhood.  Volunteers are needed all year long. Part 2 of 2.

Rebuilding Center

Every day, eight tons of building materials move through the Rebuilding Center, with all donations and sales serving their mission to build community through reuse.

They offer affordable used building and remodeling materials with the goal of promoting the use of salvaged and reclaimed materials—a non-profit resource to strengthen environmental, economic and social fabric of local communities.

But that’s not all they do! You can volunteer to help out in the office, assist in a class or workshop, volunteer at the store, in the donation area or in the lumberyard, or help out at their events.  Go to their website and then click on the volunteer button at the top of the page and you can see all the details about the volunteer opportunities and requirements.

Rebuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi Ave.
503-331-9291

NW Children’s Outreach

Northwest Children’s Outreach is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in the Portland area and surrounding communities. They help fill the needs of these families, providing clothing, infant care products, diapers, formula, and many of the other necessities parents need for their children. Volunteer opportunities can be sorting recently donated items , fulfilling orders or packing items for families. The items donated, sorted and packaged by you and other volunteers make a big difference for local families – and it’s a lot of fun!

The Buckman NCO Center is located at 335 NE 18th Ave in Portland. Note: this project takes place in a warehouse setting; please wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Water will be provided.

NCO accepts and appreciates donations, however large or small, from volunteers. You’re welcome and encouraged to gather any gently-used baby or children’s items (clothing, toys, gear, books) that may be in your home or neighborhood to donate.

Northwest Children’s Outreach
(503) 828-1472

SMART

“Every child should be able to read. With your help they can.” SMART which stands for Start Making A Reader Today, has served 211,235 students since its inception in 1992. They pair a caring adult with a student to provide reading support and also send books to take home and keep.  According to their website, “SMART volunteers read one-on-one with students weekly during the school year, modeling a love of reading and building children’s reading skills and self-confidence in a positive, child-guided environment.”

“An independent study found that fifth grade students who participated in SMART are 60 percent more likely to meet state reading benchmarks than students who did not participate.”

Opportunities to volunteer are available at schools across the city. Please contact SMART for more information and specific needs.

SMART
971-634-1634