If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, the first step is to attend a group volunteer orientation. Volunteer Orientations are held the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30pm at the store. Please RSVP to Caryn Servis, Volunteer Coordinator at 503-249-7300. If you’re unable to attend the orientation, a one-on-one orientation can be scheduled during the weekday business hours.
Prospective Volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application and pass a Criminal Background Check before beginning training to become a volunteer.
Who can volunteer?
Volunteering at DFSO is open to anyone 16 years-old or older.
Children 12-14 years old may volunteer with a parent or supervising adult. Students 14-16 years old may volunteer with out a parent or supervising adult if they submit a Youth Volunteer Permission Form.
We ask that volunteers that interact directly with clients as personal shoppers in the store be women.
Groups of Volunteers through a business association, community group or corporate community service committee are welcome to volunteer together for special projects or service days, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to schedule a project.
Community Service Requirements and School Requirements: We welcome volunteers that need to fulfill a service requirement. Please attend a group orientation and include requirement specifications on your Volunteer Application.
National Charity League: Dress for Success Oregon began partnering with NCL in February 2010 to provide volunteer opportunities for mother and daughter teams in the Portland Metro area.
Internships: DFSO hosts interns from local colleges and job training programs in the Store, Salon, CareerCenter, Development and Volunteer Departments. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for current internship opportunities.
What is the time commitment?
Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering a minimum of 4 hours per month.
thank yous
PORTRAIT OF A VOLUNTEER
"I've been a stylist at Magnum Opus for 15 years. I heard about DFSO through a client who had mentioned their need for hairdressers. I thought it would be a great way for me to give back to my community using the skills I have. It is so rewarding to get to work with these women. Watching them light up as they transform in the mirror gives me inspiration. Being able to educate and offer home care products truly gives a professional experience. Supporting women making a change in life is very rewarding. It is the ultimate Givers Gain. I get to do what I love most, cut hair, but these women inspire me."
~ Samantha Schreck
job descriptions
We are always looking for great volunteers, so thank you for thinking of Dress for Success.We have several volunteer opportunities:
·Personal Shopper--Help low income women, who have a job interview scheduled, select interview-appropriate clothing from our shop. Each appointment takes about one hour and gives you the opportunity to help the client feel good about herself and her opportunities for work. You can volunteer weekly or monthly, and we ask that you make a commitment for at least two hours at a time.
·Career Center Professional—If you are a human resource professional, this is a wonderful place to volunteer. You can coach clients in interview skills, resume writing, job hunting, or workplace skills. We also need help teaching computer skills. We will work with you to accommodate your schedule.
·Clothing Organizer—Dress for Success gets a great deal of clothing from the community. Each day, we sort the clothing to determine which clothing is appropriate for interviews, and volunteers help with this work. Sometimes we need people to pick up clothing from a donation sight. We also work at keeping the store orderly and appealing for clients. This work is an ongoing function and we can schedule you any time that works into your schedule.
·Fund Raiser—Dress for Success receives no government funding and raises all its funds every year. We need your help! You can host a party for your friends and we will come and talk; you can help us identify and approach individuals and corporations who have the resources and interest in our work; you can help us manage our fundraising with office work.
·Events- DFSO will have many events for public relations and fund raising. Some of the different responsibilities in this area include assuming a major role in the total organization of the event, acting as a liaison between DFSO and event producer, making phone calls, planning decorations, creating and sending flyers and invitations, menu coordination, etc.
·Office/Administrative- There are many jobs in this category from making copies to updating our computerized donor database. We will need help with phone coverage, filing, sending donor thank you and tax receipt cards, assisting with direct mail appeals, and running errands.
·Professional Women’s Group (PWG)-This volunteer activity will include helping with monthly PWG meetings. Before the monthly meetings, we’ll need volunteers to pick up donations and put client goody bags together. We’ll also need help with picking up the food donations the day of the meeting. The night of the meeting, we will need help with room set-up, client check-in, serving food, and room take down. During the networking portion of the meeting, there will be an opportunity to interact and provide support to the clients.
