Volunteer Opportunities at Albertina Kerr
Whether you just have an hour or can give several days a month, as an Albertina Kerr volunteer you will make a difference in the life of a child, family or adult with a developmental disability or mental health challenge.
When you’ve decided what you’d like to do, just submit this Volunteer Application!
Volunteer from Home
Here are some of the volunteer opportunities currently available:
VOLUNTEER FROM HOME
Birthday Cake Baker
Bake Birthday cakes or Holiday/Celebration cakes for individuals utilizing Kerr’s services who may not have family involvement.
Sewing Volunteer
Make blankets, curtains, pillows or specialty items to help liven up our group homes for adults and youth. Weighted blankets are also needed for therapeutic support of all individuals served by Kerr’s programs.
ONE-TIME OR GROUP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Cooking for Kerr
Prepare a food item or finish the dish at a Kerr group home while instructing residents on cooking. The meal will serve from 5 to 7 adults, which includes staff. Together, volunteers will provide and prepare a healthy meal, following guidelines for any dietary restrictions in the home. Sit down with the Kerr home members and enjoy your meal together.
Weekend Warriors for Kerr
Help liven up a Kerr group home by painting interior rooms, mowing the lawn, planting flowers or spring cleaning at a home for adults with developmental disabilities. Kerr group homes need a little TLC just like your own home to create the warm and happy environment we all enjoy. Paint and supplies are provided, if you have your own tools, feel free to bring them along. Groups and Families welcome - fun encouraged!
ANNUAL EVENTS
Race for the Roses
Volunteers "run" the race. Provide essential support for over 2,500 runners and walkers in Portland’s largest half marathon and 5K run/walk. You will be in the midst of the action, hosting an aid station or handing out medals and roses at the finish line. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt. Groups are welcome. Minimum age, without adult supervision, is 16 with signed parental permission.
Foundation Classic Golf
Join 150 golfers and volunteers for a perfect fall day on the links. This event raises vital funds for the Albertina Kerr Centers Foundation endowment. Volunteers will help greet and register guests, monitor the birdie holes and assist with the auction. Recommended dress is khaki pants and a polo/golf-style shirt. Lunch is provided in addition to an optional evening BBQ.
Holiday Giving
Volunteers deliver the new, unwrapped gifts to Kerr and our staff wraps each one, making sure everyone has something for the holidays, whether they are with family or celebrating with the Kerr staff. Volunteer activities range from picking up and dropping off gifts to filling out wish list tags and “shopping” for presents in our donated warehouse space. 1 - 2 volunteers are needed to set-up and help manage our on-line giving website.
ALBERTINA’S RESTAURANT AND SHOPS
Albertina’s Restaurant
Dream about becoming a celebrity chef? In our eyes, every volunteer in the kitchen is a celebrity. Albertina's is known for its Northwest inspired lunches in a garden setting. Volunteers can help prepare and serve gourmet lunches, design fresh floral arrangements, take reservations and cashier.
Kerr’s Economy Jar
Interested in antiques and collectibles? Contribute your time and talents to Kerr’s Economy Jar, a high-quality antiques and collectible consignment shop. We’re seeking managers, salespeople, cashiers, pricers and space designers.
Kerr Gift Shop
Do you like to shop? Put your talent to use! Kerr Gift Shop features select merchandise from around the world for discriminating shoppers. Join the buying team. Select and purchase merchandise, help with inventory and stock merchandise. Work in sales and cashiering or create displays.
Kerr Thrift Shop
Offers fine quality pre-owned clothing for men and women; fashion jewelry, household items, books, linens and much more. We need volunteers to price & display clothing, kitchen items, cards, gifts and more and model clothes in Albertina's Restaurant.
Marketing & PR Committee
Do you have restaurant or retail marketing and/or public relations experience? We’d love to put that knowledge to work on our Albertina’s Restaurant and Shops marketing and PR committee. Just join us for one meeting per month.
ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Activities Volunteer
Provide group activities to enhance recreational and social skills for or adults or youth who are utilizing Kerr’s Community Inclusion or group home services, Intensive Treatment or Crisis Psychiatric Care Programs. Examples of activities include arts and crafts, yoga, theater, music, choir, greenhouse gardening, crafts, knitting, crocheting, cooking, sports, cultural information, etc.
Volunteer Actor/Actress or Theatre Teacher
Kerr’s Community Inclusion program for adults with developmental disabilities would be delighted to have you join our cast and crew! Creating and putting on shows gives individuals in our program a chance to work and play. Singing, improvisational performances, music, set design; casting and script writing are all welcomed skills at this eclectic theatre.
Volunteer Animal-Assisted Therapy Team or Pet Partner Team
Provide animal companionship with your registered Pet Partner. Teams are accepted through the Delta Society’s Pet Partner and Animal Assisted Therapy Programs. Opportunities are available at Kerr’s group homes, Crisis Psychiatric Care Program and Community Inclusion Programs.
Art Activities Volunteer
Provide art activities to individuals utilizing Kerr’s Community Inclusion services. Community Inclusion provides both employment and alternatives to employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Coordinate guest artist visits, outdoor painting/drawing, mural projects or other craft activities.
Community Inclusion Volunteer
Participate in various activities offered at the Community Inclusion site, supporting and spending time with adults who have developmental disabilities. Examples: story-telling, makeovers, photography, music, theme days, parties, crafts, paper-making, gardening, games, coffee clubs, etc.
Gardening and Landscaping Volunteer
Volunteers can help maintain the landscaped areas of adult and youth group homes. Possible activities include mowing, weeding, watering, edging, pruning, and cleaning out invasive plant species. Volunteers may also choose to share their knowledge and skills with the residents of the home.
Home Decorator / Youth Group Home Improvement Project
Imagine a volunteer opportunity that lets you use your creativity to make homes for those in need more beautiful and comfortable. This is a great opportunity for a student looking to become a certified interior designer or for anyone with a knack for home decorating.
Horticultural Therapist
Lead horticultural therapy projects in the Kerr Greenhouse Garden with adults who have developmental disabilities. Certified Horticultural Therapists will be provided with all necessary materials and eager students!
Interactive Storytelling
Bring your skills as a performer, oral interpreter and enthusiast of stories to adults with developmental disabilities. Choose stories to animate with song, dance, puppetry or music and share the colorful world of the written word to those who cannot read.
Job Development Volunteer
Aid adults with Developmental Disabilities with employment preparation, finding suitable work placements in local businesses, literacy and numeric skills, life skills and finding rewarding volunteer work.
Massage Therapist
Staff in Kerr’s programs provide the absolute best care to the individuals we serve, oftentimes this leaves little or no time to provide the gentle touch the people we serve so deserve. Your participation in an informal volunteer massage program can be incredibly valuable, illuminating the need for therapeutic massage and creating lasting relief for individuals with developmental disabilities. Only licensed Massage Therapists may participate.
Music Lesson Volunteer
Kerr is looking for musicians to teach basic instrumental music to the youth or adults in our group homes. Volunteers will tutor basic level instrumental music to adults with developmental disabilities or youth with developmental disabilities and emotional and/or behavioral health problems who have a desire to learn.
Visiting Cosmetologist
Provide hair cuts, style tips and makeovers for adults and/or youth with developmental disabilties. Many of the people served in our programs have experienced neglect and suffer from self-esteem issues as a result. The personal attention provided during a hair cut or makeover greatly enhances their self-worth and provides meaningful emotional connections.
Visiting Friend
Visit with someone in need of a buddy, especially on weekends and holidays. Minimum 9 month commitment required.
Art Therapy Assistant
In collaboration with Art Therapist provide structured art activities to clients.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Data Entry
Complete data entry in donor database system, Raiser’s Edge. Training provided.
Development Volunteer
Provide clerical and administrative support in office to team of seven.
Marketing Assistant
Assist Development Team with various projects related to marketing and communications and branding.
Volunteer Delivery Driver
Pick-up donated furniture and program supplies from donor locations and drop-off at Kerr programs or group homes.
INTERNSHIPS
Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good standing in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university in a related field of study.
Communications/Marketing & Public Relations Intern
Assist Communications Manager with various projects related to marketing and communications.
Volunteer Mgmt. Intern
Aid the Community Relations Manager in volunteer recruitment, screening, training, tracking and program evaluation.
Intern: Undergrad- Crisis Psychiatric Care Program (Subacute)
Provide assistance to staff in crisis psychiatric treatment facility. Respond to potential health problems/hazards in timely prescribed ways. Intervene with children/youth/families only under direct supervision of assigned staff.
Kerr Early Childhood Outpatient Services/Community Outpatient Services -Masters Level Intern (2nd year)
In collaboration with Clinical Supervisor, provide clinical supervision and oversight to Outpatient Services for Early Intervention and Child & Family Therapy.
Student Nursing Intern
In collaboration with Clinical Supervisor provide nursing assistance to people served in Kerr's medical group homes and Crisis Psychiatric Care Program.
Field Work/Art Therapy -Masters Level Intern (2nd year Graduate Student)
In collaboration with Art Therapist provide structured art activities to clients.
MSW Internship – Administrative Track
Students work with VP’s of Developmental Disability and Youth and Family Services to provide the best possible services to the community by shadowing the CEO of the agency. Work with a board of directors and team of outstanding professionals in the field.
Race Marketing Intern
Provide assistance to development staff and volunteer race committee throughout cycle of Race for the Roses. Promote Race for the Roses at local running events. Learn about sports marketing from one of Portland’s largest athletic events. 5-20 hours each week for duration of internship. September 2011 – April 2012.