Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Raphael House! Our volunteers provide invaluable support to our programs, participants, and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions Group Opportunities Volunteer Application
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Raphael House! Our volunteers provide invaluable support to our programs, participants, and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions Group Opportunities Volunteer ApplicationRaphael House volunteers are indispensable to the success of our programs. Direct service positions involve unsupervised work with adult and child survivors of domestic violence and require 40 hours of Advocacy Training. Indirect service includes staff-supervised work with survivors and assisting with behind-the-scenes efforts.
Support residents in our emergency shelter and assist callers from the community.
Provide individualized attention and support to youth in our shelter and Advocacy Center, assisting with childcare, art groups, and other activities.
Direct Service volunteer opportunities have re-opened for 2026. Our next Basic Advocacy Training cohort for Raphael House volunteers will take place this Fall.
Greet and support donors at our twice-monthly Donation Drop-off events (1st Thursday from 11am-1pm; 3rd Thursday from 4-6pm) at a community church.
Help support our annual Holiday Program – where 155+ survivor families “shop” for free holiday gifts – by coordinating gift drives, receiving and sorting donations, setting up our free Holiday “store”, and more.
Offer specialized and professionally licensed skills (like massage therapy, yoga, ESL, culinary skills, arts and dance, etc.) for adults and/or children in our Advocacy Center.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we ask that all interested volunteers please submit a completed Volunteer Application and meet with us for an in-person screening to be considered for involvement on-site.
Those interested in direct service volunteer work must:
We place and accept volunteers based on our current needs and on our assessment of whether an individual is the right fit for Raphael House, and whether we’re the right fit for them! Submission of an application or completion of our screening process unfortunately doesn’t guarantee placement within our programs.
In the state of Oregon, 40 hours of advocacy training are required for anyone – staff or volunteers – working with survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. Raphael House offers this training, and will provide it free of charge to anyone accepted into our volunteer program. Our next Basic Advocacy Training cohort for volunteers is scheduled for Fall 2026. Trainings typically take place evenings and some weekends over the course of 10-12 weeks.
Following graduation from advocacy training, volunteers must attend an on-site New Volunteer Orientation and complete shadow shifts within the program they are interested in supporting. Generally this takes between 3-4 weeks.
We currently have no available direct service volunteer positions for community members under 18 years of age. For indirect volunteer opportunities, applicants must be 16 years or older and have a parent or guardian’s permission. Contact volunteer@raphaelhouse.com to learn more.
Our biggest need for one time volunteer opportunities is during the month of December for our annual Holiday Program. We have other periodic one-time volunteer opportunities as special indirect service projects arise.
To maintain confidentiality of our location and the survivors we serve, Raphael House has limited opportunities for volunteer groups. When support is needed, these projects do not involve direct contact with survivors, however they do have a significant impact on our programs and services! Examples include grounds and gardens maintenance, organizing and sorting donations, and deep cleaning.
Please get in touch at least six weeks in advance of your proposed volunteer date, so that we have ample time to determine whether an appropriate project is available and to plan together. Contact volunteer@raphaelhouse.com.
Through our partnership with Portland State University, Raphael House accepts a limited number of student interns each school year. We also work closely with other area colleges, universities, and practicum programs to place students on a case-by-case basis, if space is available. Currently, school-based Internships are paused for the 2026-2027 school year. We anticipate re-opening for internships for the 2027-2028 school year. Contact volunteer@raphaelhouse.com or (503) 243-5126 for more information.
Direct Service and Indirect Service opportunities are open and our 40-hour advocacy training cohort will take place in Fall 2026. Apply for our open volunteer roles here! If you have questions, please reach out to volunteer@raphaelhouse.com.
We place and accept volunteers based on our current needs and on our assessment of whether an individual is the right fit for Raphael House, and whether we’re the right fit for them! Submission of an application or completion of our screening process unfortunately doesn’t guarantee an interview or placement within our programs.
“Our interns and volunteers bring unique skills, knowledge, and experience which strengthens Raphael House and supports our vision for a future without violence.”
–Volunteer Coordinator
