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Volunteers in Bend, Oregon serve in partnership with the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer – AmeriCorps program (www.ndmva.org).
Members work in a variety of capacities in Central Oregon, which is rich in spectacular natural beauty. Positions are available for 2011-2012, pending grant approval.
Central Oregon Council on Aging
(1300 SE Reed Market Road, Bend, Oregon 97702 Phone # 541- 382-3008)
This agency provides services to meet the needs of low income, isolated senior citizens in three counties in Central Oregon. The core services include in-home services, case management, respite care, senior nutrition programs, Meals on Wheels, and transportation. Senior centers are utilized as the focus of community spirit for seniors. Staff encourage seniors to come to the center for a congregate meal or to volunteer themselves, offering assistance with taking care of the dining room or serving the congregate events.
The member recruits and trains volunteers to support the Meals on Wheels program, and provides service herself including food preparation, coordinating drivers, food distribution, and record keeping. The member also serves as an Assistant Case Manager for Seniors, doing assessments, site-visits, and record keeping.
For more information, visit their website: Central Oregon Council on Aging
Grandma’s House of Central Oregon
(1600 NE Rumgay, Bend, Oregon 97701, Phone # 541- 382-3008)
Grandma’s House is a non-profit, faith-based home that serves homeless girls between the ages of twelve and nineteen who are pregnant or new mothers. The organization provides outreach and safe shelter for girls and their babies throughout their pregnancy and while they struggle with decisions about pregnancy, parenting, or adoption. Grandma’s House is a safe, nurturing shelter and a stable supportive environment.
Working closely with the community, while at Grandma’s House, the girls have access to healthcare, education, and emotional and psychological support. The mission of Grandma’s House is to provide the best overall care for both expectant mother and child. Part of meeting that goal involves offering workshops and classes that cover everything from basic life-skills to child-abuse prevention. Grandma’s House is located east of the Cascade Mountains and is the only home of its kind addressing the needs of this specific high risk population.
As an education based program, Grandma’s House provides outreach to all pregnant and parenting teens and their babies. The member serving as Resident Coordinator Assistant will provide education and direct services to the residents of Grandma’s House. The duties of this position will including: helping the residents in their day-to-day routine; providing overall support ; menu planning; shopping and meal preparation; assistance with workshops; planning and participating in outings; holiday preparation; daily documentation; academic assistance (GED, basic Ed); and teaching life-skills.
For more information, visit their website: Grandma's House of Bend
Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery
(2125 NE Daggett Lane, Bend, Oregon 97701 Phone # 541-322-6820) About MountainStar Family Relief Nursery:
MountainStar Family Relief Nursery ("MountainStar") provides crisis
intervention and age-specific therapeutic classrooms for babies and young
children from birth to 4 years old. Children come from families with an
average of 12 risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including poverty,
substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues and domestic violence.
Research shows that early childhood is a critical and sensitive window for
brain development, and a time when children are particularly vulnerable to
abuse and neglect. MountainStar staff work with the whole family to keep
children safe, reduce stress, improve parenting skills, and provide a rich
learning environment for babies and toddlers. Services are funded through
community donations, private foundations and government grants.
MountainStar recently met the quality standards for accreditation by the
(NAEYC) National Association for the Education of Young Children and our
comprehensive program is unduplicated in Deschutes County.
The Placement:
The Notre Dame AmeriCorps (NDA) member will assist in age-specific,
therapeutic classes for children 6 weeks to 4 years old who are at an
elevated risk for child abuse and neglect. Classes meet the quality
standards through the National Association for the Education of Young
Children, in addition to being designed to meet the needs of children living
in chaotic, traumatic situations. The NDA member is a member of the
teaching team who is responsible carrying out developmentally appropriate
and culturally sensitive classroom activities. The NDA member may be
assigned case management and home visiting responsibilities depending on
their interest and abilities. The NDA member assists in the transportation
program by driving or riding a 14 passenger bus used to transport children
for classes. The NDA members support other projects including monthly
parenting classes, Christmas giving program for families, year-end family
celebration, classroom projects, and researching community resources. This
is a great placement for an NDA member who loves young children and can
handle the stress of working with marginalized families.
For more information, visit their website: MountainStar Family Relief Nursery
Saving Grace
(1425 NW Kingston Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97701 Phone # 541-382-9227)
Saving Grace provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault
services. Their mission is to promote the value of living free of
violence. Their services include operating a 30 bend emergency shelter for
women and children, running a 24 hour domestic violence Hotline, providing
services for sexual assault survivors, organizing crisis support groups,
hospital accompaniment, and a children’s center for respite and therapeutic
care.
The Advocate position at Saving Grace includes empowering women, teens, and
children through education and support. Tasks include: intake and needs
assessment at the shelter; peer counseling; education and support with legal
issues and rights; system advocacy for mental and physical health; system
advocacy to meet needs-food and shelter; co-facilitating a domestic violence
children’s support group and other related tasks with which the staff may
need assistance. This position also allows the AmeriCorps/NDMV volunteer to
implement an educational program. Examples of past programs have been an
art group, individual computer lessons, resume building support, life
skills, GED/homework assistance, and physical/outdoor activities.
For more information, visit their website: Saving Grace
The Bethlehem Inn
(3705 N Hwy 97, Bend, Oregon 97701, mailing address: PO Box 8540, Bend, Oregon, 97708, Phone # 541-322-8768)
Founded in 1999, the Bethlehem Inn is a community supported emergency shelter committed to providing a safe, secure and accountable environment for residents to meet basic needs and connect to community resources. Our goal is to support single adults and families in making life-affirming choices and measurable progress towards self-sufficiency. The Bethlehem Inn provides emergency access to shelter and food in a safe, secure environment.
The primary responsibility for any staff support person is the safety and security of the facility, staff, residents and volunteers while providing emergency shelter and food. This requires the flexibility of all support staff members to adjust to and respond accordingly to immediate issues of concern whether identified by another staff member, resident or outside representative. Teamwork and open communication between staff and staff support personnel is essential in the success of the Bethlehem Inn and the safety and security of its residents, staff and volunteers.
In addition, the member serving as this site will also serve as a Case Manager. Case Management involves reviewing the communication log at the beginning of each shift for changes and updates for both singles and family residents and making daily entries in communication log of any pertinent resident information. The Case Manager will also: schedule resident assessments; complete assessments with resident; assist residents by providing informal counseling, educating them on available resources and social support; assist in educating residents in life skills such as goal setting and creating an action plan; revisiting that action plan on a regular basis; schedule follow up appointments in order to measure progress and record assessment information in Contact Manager Program and update appropriate staff person. The member will also serve as the Outreach Manager Assistant, providing staff support for the Outreach Manager; assisting with volunteers, meal coordination and special projects.
For more information, visit their website: The Bethlehem Inn
The Boys and Girls Club of Central Oregon
(500 NW Wall St. Bend, OR 97701 Phone #: 541-617-2877)
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is a non-profit organization that
offers a variety of high impact affordable programs that enable at-risk
you to mature into productive, caring and responsible adults. Youth
discover talents, develop skills and build confidence...while having fun
and making friends. We provide caring adult role models to boys and
girls ages 6-18 and a safe haven where positive choices are supported.
The mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us
most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible
citizens. Three pillars of success drive our youth development
programming; improving Academic Success, building Character and
Citizenship and engaging in Healthy Lifestyles.
Four dedicated youth facilities located in Deschutes County serve 1,500
youth annually ages 6-18. On average after-school 263 youth participate
daily in the after-school hours, 100 youth attend the Club before school
and in summer months the Clubs swell with youth participation and on
average 450 youth participate each day.
The member in this position, Educational Coordinator, will implement
Project Learn, an educational enhancement strategy and Power Hour, a
dedicated homework and academic assistance time at one Club location. The
Educational Coordinator seeks to strengthen partnerships with schools
and families to create a web of support around every child. Evidence
and experience have shown repeatedly that consistent homework completion
helps children develop academically, learn valuable organizational
skills, including time management and task completion. Homework and
academic assistance improves grades, improves reading and math
performance as well as decreasing absenteeism in the schools. This is
achieved by offering direct academic guidance and supplemental educational activities.
By providing encouragement and role modeling, the Club members become
more self-confident in their personal goal setting. The educational
study activities reinforce skills and concepts learned throughout the
school day.
For more information, visit their website: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon |