Volunteer opportunities are extended to those committed to serving others with respect and dignity. William Temple House relies upon volunteers to help provide services at no charge to clients. During 2007, volunteers donated more than 31,000 hours to support agency activities.

Whether you’re a student, an individual seeking valuable experience, or a retired professional who wants to remain active, William Temple House welcomes your help. Your talents and passions can help serve the working poor in the Greater Portland area.

Positions with direct client contact require a complete background check including fingerprinting and may require special training.

For more information about the current volunteer opportunities list here, please click here and complete the volunteer inquiry form. A representative of William Temple House will contact you shortly.

Current Opportunities

Clothing Closet Assistant/Personal Shopper
Positions available at William Temple House in northwest Portland

Do you have an eye for kids fashion? Enjoy working with children and experiencing their joy?

Our Children’s Clothing Closet in northwest Portland needs friendly, reliable volunteers like you. The reward for volunteers is in the reactions of the children, some who have never “shopped” for new clothes before. New school clothes and shoes results in greater dignity and self-respect for many of the children served.

Volunteers assist children and their parents in selecting new school clothes in a store-like setting at William Temple House in northwest Portland. Volunteers may also assist in ordering and shopping for clothes, stocking shelves and racks, and scheduling appointments for families.

Volunteers must enjoy and communicate well with children and adults and be reliable. Applicants for volunteer positions in the Children’s Clothing Closet undergo a background check and fingerprinting. Training is provided.

Social Services Intake Counselor
Positions available at William Temple House in northwest Portland and William Temple House North in north Portland

Inform clients about services available, certify eligibility for services, make referrals to other service providers. Attend monthly volunteer meetings. Comfortable working with low-income and homeless people, ability to deal sensitively with mentally ill people. Must be patient and accepting of differences.

Food Pantry Assistant
Positions available at William Temple House in northwest Portland and William Temple House North in north Portland

Welcome and assist clients, load and unload cases of food. Sort food and stock shelves and freezers, fill hygiene needs, lift and carry 25 pounds, clean, vacuum, take out trash, and other miscellaneous tasks.

NW Glisan Street Thrift Store Assistant
The Thrift Store is open 7 days a week and hours are flexible.

Sort, hang, and tag merchandise and various other tasks.

Pastoral Visitor
Positions available at William Temple House in northwest Portland

Pastoral Visitors visit hospitalized staff, volunteers, and clients as requested by counselors. Visits may include persons in care and rehab centers. Follow established procedures in reporting to supervisor or to those making the request for such a visit. Must be certified by one’s faith community to be a pastoral visitor. In the Episcopal Church, for example, certification includes training by one’s pastor and licensure by the bishop. Must have transportation or make use of public transportation. Must be able and willing to maintain confidentiality.

Sacristan
Positions available at William Temple House in northwest Portland
Requested weekly work schedule: Wednesday before 11:30am and after 1pm.

Set up altar for mass, take down after mass. Launder altar linens, straighten chapel, keep Bible and devotional supplies up to date. Appreciation of sacred space, devotion to the sacraments of the church.