Volunteer Project: The Rebuilding Center

PORTLAND, OREGON

My shoulders are sore this morning. Not your typical hunched-over-a-computer-all-day kind of sore. Sore in the front of my shoulders, between my arms and where I would imagine my pecs would be. I want to tell you that I been working out: toning or shaping or whatever. But that is not the case. "Working out" is not where I get my burn, just like the ladies that swapped out their weekly aerobics class for a shift packing food at the food bank, I get my exercise from life.

So what activity was my work out that left me so sore? I spent my evening ripping hundreds of nails out of salvaged wood at The Rebuilding Center. I was so focused on getting  those all nails out of all that wood that I didn't even imagine that I could hurt this bad today. I guess all that gratuitous grunting and claims of "feats of strength" have finally caught up with to me.


What is the Rebuilding Center? and How Did I Get Involved?

Essentially The Rebuilding Center seeks to make home repairs affordable for everyone in the community and divert from the waste stream by encouraging the use of salvaged & reclaimed building materials. Of course, I love it!

As you may recall, I signed up to volunteer with this shift last week through Hands in Portland. They made it super easy. When I arrived, there were already a few people standing around awkwardly waiting for someone to tell them what to do. I knew right away that these were my people.

Once it looked like everyone that was gonna be there was already there, we were directed sign some forms and listen to a schpeel from their volunteer coordinator. He explained that the mission of The Rebuilding Center , and outlined the different programs that they run: ReFind furniture sale, salvage materials store, deconstruction services and volunteer driving & community outreach programs.


What did they make you do?

After the short orientation the coordinator led the group to one of the warehouse where they had piles & piles of wood waiting. First he broke us off into teams to put away new donations. Already everyone was chatting and introducing themselves to one another. It was kinda cool.

After we finished sorting wood pieces, I got recruited to pick up nails using this super magnet that you rolled across the floor. I thoroughly enjoyed this task.  The clink of the nail getting sucked up by the magnet was addicting. It felt like a video game.

I was even paired up with this really rad lady that explained how she was there because her friends have been volunteering together on for a while now. They just finished up six different projects, and now they are coming back for more. What a great idea!

After we freed the floor from every nail we could find, they brought over loads of newly salvaged wood that had all those hidden and protruding lil' demons all over them.  Some of those nails were pretty committed to their wood, and it would take a combination of many tools to free them from one another. As one volunteer put it, "these have to be some of the first nails ever invented."

As you can probably tell, this was my favorite task, sore shoulders and all.  The time flew. Next thing I know, I'm out of breath, covered in wood chips, standing in a pile of cast out crooked victories. I look up and everyone but me and my newest friends are already cleaning up and getting ready to go. Wow. That's something I didn't know was in me.

So How Would I Rate My Experience?

The Rebuilding Center has all the elements of a successful volunteer program. They did a great job explaining the breadth of their endeavors, telling us how we could be helpful, and keeping everyone busy and productive. From a volunteer programs prospective--it's spot on. From a volunteer's perspective--highly recommended.

To be honest, it was a really enjoyable evening activity. I think I'd like to do it again. It would be even better if I could convince some of my peers to join me. Anyone? Anyone? It'll be bangin'. I promise.


So Ya Wanna....
... Volunteer with the Rebuilding Center?
... Donate to the Rebuilding Center?
...Volunteer through Hands on Portland?

Project Hands On

Part of this whole "voluntourista" thing is actually volunteering. Currently, I'm not exactly an excellent candidate for some volunteer work, because I will be leaving relatively shortly, and I can't make a real commitment to an organization. I do, however, want to help.

Honestly, getting started as a volunteer in any capacity can be daunting. If you're looking to get involved doing something, but you're not quite sure what, like I am, I suggest hooking up with your local Hands On Network. If they aren't directly operating a volunteer referral office in your area, they may know someone who is.

One of the great reasons to volunteer through Hands On is the supported volunteer events. This means that the network has recruited a volunteer team leader to help orient new volunteers. Having a person like this can make it easier to be helpful in a new environment.

Since I'm looking to be helpful in the short term with few recognizable skills, I think it would be best for me to join a few of these HandsOn supported "done in a day" projects. Hands on Portland does a great job of outlining volunteer opportunities in a simple calendar, many of the other cities linked up to the Hands On Network have the same easy to use web-site. I just signed up, logged in, and got started.

I chose two projects to get my toes wet in the wild world of episodic volunteering. First! In honor of my mother, I am going to sort through reusable materials at The Rebuilding Center with Our United Villages. Than as a nod to the food bank, I shall serve a free hot meal to anyone in need with Potluck in the Park. Combined the projects only require 6 hours of my time and should be quite fun. If you don't mind getting a bit dirty and lifting some things around.

Also, through Hands On you can also find referral projects that get you in touch directly with the organization that your helping. This is a better way to make a long lasting connection and ultimately a larger impact. Who knows? If it turns out I like to sort through scrap materials or serving food, I might just stick around and do it again.

PS. Yes, I'm still volunteering with Skate Club and have learned how to turn around on my board, and even do that cool move where you step on it and catch it in your hand. This is not as easy at it may sound.
Also, You will be delighted to know that my ankle isn't sprained, just twisted. More updates to come.

My First Skate Sesh, Bro

I've started volunteering with an after school mentor-type program run through SUN Community Schools. Each Wednesday after the last class the kids join up with their leader/mentor/teacher and my dear friend, Early. They check in together and then Early juices up the van and takes them to a park to skate together. Pretty simple. Extremely effective.

This particular class consists of solely middle school boys. I had two brothers growing up, and have always had lots of male friends, so hanging out with lil' dudes isn't really the issue. The issue is middle school. yuck! It's a crazy crazy time. Everything is changing. They're growing and learning a lot, seeking to rebel against previously established norms and find their own identity. Actually, that sounds an awful lot like my life right now. Adultescence? Maybe they can mentor me too.

My attempt at cool 

I'm not around kids much these days. I have no idea what they are into. What do they listen to? What do they talk about? Will they be taller than me? Will they like me? Am I a square? Do they even say 'square'? ack!

Truth be told, I can't skate. If I were ever actually charged with the task of teaching children how to skateboard, I'd have to admit that I have no tangible skills in this area.

Fortunately, however, I don't have to teach them to skate. They already know how to do that. They skate around me like little fish in water. I, on the other hand, am extremely clumsy. I run into things. I trip over my own feet. And I've decided to take up skateboarding? hmmm.

Early filming as the kids show off their skills

All the of the boys were incredibly sweet, intelligent and helpful. They saw that I couldn't skate and started to teach me the basics--where to put my feet, how to use my hands, what it means to be goofy foot, etc. And yes, in case you were wondering, I am goofy foot.

With their guidance, I managed to stand on the skateboard and pump my leg to make it go faster! I can even turn slightly! The only problem is when I get going too fast, I panic and jump off the board. This doesn't really surprise me.

Over the course of the afternoon, I fell a total of three times, and still can't quite feel the tip of the middle finger on my right hand, but we're all good.

I'm really excited of the possibility of shedding my fear and gaining a new skill. I'm also excited to hang out and do fun things with these great lil' dudes... I mean medium-sized dudes (oops). I have a feeling that when this is all said and done, they will be giving me more than I could ever give them...

...but that's volunteerin' for ya.

One Night per Week

We're all busy. There's nothing new there. If isn't the job and the kids, its the strippers and the drug habit. Doesn't matter. When it boils down to it, the amount of time that one has needs to be a huge consideration when it comes to choosing a volunteer project.

If you're flighty flaky no-good hipster (as I may or may not be) its not the best idea to sign up to mentor kids or work in an office. This is how volunteers can actually end up being more harmful than helpful. If an organization has taken the time to train you or a child/senior has allowed themselves to trust you then you are morally obligated to continue your service at least 6 months. Yes. 6 months. If you're really nice..a year.

This may come as a shock, but think about it. What do you do when you really hate your job? Think back to a time that you worked at (insert shitty dead end customer service/office slave type job here) where your boss slapped your ass and called ya "toots" or made you clean out the most disgusting part of the entire building with a toothbrush or some shitty thing like that. What do you do? You know damn well what you do. You QUIT!
"Take that! you no good bourgy piece of shit. I hope you and your disgusting Subway franchise kingdom  falls off the nearest cliff, and I want to be there to see your sorry existence go up in a fit of flames and footlongs!!" And that's when you gather up the biggest loogie in the back of your throat and hock it on the nearest difficult thing to clean and growl, "I QUIT!"

Deep breath. Now, didn't that feel nice?

But the fact of the matter is, you don't want to do this to an organization that is doing good things for the world. When applying for a volunteer job that requires a certain time commitment --make sure you can live up to that commitment.

I plan on being in Portland for about 6 more months. Give or take. I've got one night per week. Just enough time to get involved in a volunteer activity that requires a bit of training. I've e-mailed a few Volunteer Coordinators with my interest. I'll let you know how it goes.