Community-Based Opportunities in Portland

Whether you need to fulfill a community-based learning requirement, find volunteer opportunities for your club or organization, or just want to connect with Portland, Student Leaders for Service can introduce you to our community partners.

SLS EVENTS
SLS is responsible for coordinating nationally-recognized, campus-wide days of service at the beginning of the school year during Viking Days, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in January, and celebrating Earth Day in April. SLS members also network with area colleges and universities to plan joint service community initiatives, workshops, and trainings for students as project leaders. Many of these days are great opportunities to fulfill eight- or ten-hour community-based learning requirements. Check out our SLS events page for our upcoming events. 

EVENTS AT SLS SITES
SLS members work as liaisons to connect other PSU students to their service site. There are needs for all types of commitment: regular, weekly volunteers to one-time, drop-in events. Visit our community partners page and then learn more about contacting our current SLS members.

HANDS ON GREATER PORTLAND
Hands On is a national organization that connects thousands of volunteers a year to service projects through their monthly service calendar.  They can connect you here in Portland, too.

ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
ASB is a week-long service opportunity during the week of PSU's spring break in March. Trips that are designed, coordinated, and run by SLS members bring together a diverse group of PSU students with the common goal of service and education. The program launched in 2010 with a trip to work with Habitat for Humanity in Oakland, CA and a day of service in Portland. In 2011, it grew to include three out of state trips (Bellingham, WA; San Francisco, CA; and the Grass Valley region of Northern California) as well as a full week of service days in Portland.

COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING AT PSU
Through Capstones, the Civic Leadership minor, and the community-based curriculum that runs through many PSU courses, PSU students are lucky to have plenty of opportunities to let their knowledge serve the city. For the seventh year in a row, Portland State University's community-based learning curriculum is among the best in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. Portland State is ranked among the top public institutions nationally in four categories: First-Year Experience, Senior Capstone, Learning Communities and Service-Learning.

Have a need for volunteers?
We can share your opportunity.  Stop by the SLS office (Smith Student Union M113C) or email us at studlead@pdx.edu