Volunteer
Our goal is to help make the lives of people living with ALS and their families a bit easier through volunteer assistance, as well as to offer an outlet where volunteers can bring their energy and talents to help the ALS community.
HELPING HANDS
We understand that living with ALS makes daily tasks more challenging. To make life a little easier, we created the Helping Hands Program. Through this program, we match trained volunteers with individuals and families affected by ALS to assist with tasks or offer companionship as a friendly visitor.
What can volunteers help with?*
- Preparing meals
- Mowing
- Gardening
- Pet care
- Errands
- Grocery shopping
- Basic technology setup or training
- Online care calendar setup or management
- Hobbies
- Companionship
*This list is not all-inclusive: If there is something else you would like assistance with — or would like to help with — please contact us to see if we can accommodate your request.
Is there anything a volunteer can’t do?
Please know that volunteers cannot provide personal or medical care. Also, if the person living with ALS cannot be home alone, then a caregiver must be present while the volunteer is in the home. We will send you a list of program guidelines before connecting volunteers with people living with ALS and ALS family caregivers.
HOW IT WORKS
How can I request assistance?
People living with ALS, caregivers, and families can request assistance by filling out the application below:
HELPING HANDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS & ALS FAMILY CAREGIVERS APPLICATION
How can I volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the form below:
HELPING HANDS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
How are volunteer requests filled?
Depending on the task, one or more volunteers are sought. We check our pool of trained volunteers to see if someone is an appropriate match. These volunteers are then contacted and informed about the family and their request. If we cannot find an already-trained volunteer, we advertise the request on volunteer recruitment websites and in our newsletter.
Once a volunteer match is found, we contact the individual/family and share information about the volunteer. At that time, they can accept or decline the volunteer’s offer of help. Identifying information is only revealed when the individual/family and the volunteer have both agreed to the match.
Who volunteers?
Most volunteers join the program due to a loved one with ALS. Some volunteers even used the program themselves and, knowing how helpful it was, want to help others in the same situation. Regardless of what brought the volunteer to the program, everyone who volunteers is interested in making a direct positive difference in people’s lives!
How are volunteers screened, trained, and supervised?
The screening process includes an application, an interview, reference checks, and a background check. Before being connected with a family, volunteers go through a thorough training to learn more about ALS, ALS Northwest, and the Helping Hands Program. Volunteers receive an initial check-in two weeks after being connected with a family and monthly thereafter.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Annie Teer, Volunteer Coordinator, at 503-501-4804 or annie.teer@alsnorthwest.org
Mentors offer empathy and solidarity as people who have "been there."
For caregivers, the best support often comes one-on-one from those who are on the same journey. Our Mentor Support Program connects those who are new to or currently serving as caregivers to former caregivers who have already lost a loved one that can share experiences and support.
Your mentor may not have all the answers, but they can undoubtedly relate to the challenges of supporting a person diagnosed with ALS.
HOW IT WORKS
Apply
Complete the form below that pertains to you.
MENTEE SUPPORT APPLICATION (Choose this form if you are a caregiver seeking support)
MENTOR SUPPORT APPLICATION (Choose this form if you are a former caregiver interested in giving support)
Match
After filling out the application, our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to provide a program overview and work with you to match you with a mentor or mentee.
Connect
You and your mentor or mentee will connect over video, phone, email, or text to agree on a meet-up schedule that works for everyone involved. You may choose to meet up in person or virtually.
QUESTIONS?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Annie Teer, at 503-501-4804 or annie.teer@alsnorthwest.org.
We have a number of different volunteer opportunities throughout the year to support our administrative activities and fundraising events.
Administrative Opportunities
If you're interested in helping with administrative activities, sign up here for admin volunteering.
Event Opportunities
If you'd like to volunteer for one of our fundraising events, please contact Holly Miller at 503-908-2442 or use the event specific emails below:
Ski ALS - ski@alsnorthwest.org
Walk ALS - walk@alsnorthwest.org
Beers and Gears Ride ALS - ride@alsnorthwest.org
Annual ALS Gala - gala@alsnorthwest.org
Drive Fore ALS Golf Event - golf@alsnorthwest.org