Get Involved
On this page:
- Participate in a writing workshop
- Have a fun & rewarding volunteer experience
- Look great in a Write Around Portland t-shirt
- Share the gift of writing--donate a journal
- Have a party & support Write Around
- Train to be a volunteer workshop facilitator
Participate in a Workshop
Write Around Portland runs 8-10 week free writing workshops in partnership with social service agencies providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS, adults and youth in recovery from alcohol or drug addition, people with physical and/or mental disabilities, people who are homeless, incarcerated or living in poverty and others who might otherwise be unable to participate in traditional writing workshops, because of income, isolation or other barriers.
We also hold workshops for a fee, open to everyone: Prompt workshop at Powell's City of Books and our Third Thursday and Last Sunday workshops HOTLIPS Pizza.
Click here if you are interested in learning more about participating in any of our workshops, or call 503.796.9224. Upcoming workshops are also listed on our Events page. Please note that registration for our 8-10 week workshops must be done over the phone or in person - NOT by email. However, you can register via email for workshops at HOTLIPS Pizza.
Have a fun & rewarding volunteer experience
Our dedicated volunteers make our workshops, readings and books possible. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities, whether you have an hour or two to give or you are looking for a longer term volunteer commitment.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or you already are a Write Around Portland volunteer and have time to help out, call Thomas Cordova, Program Coordinator at 503.796.9224 or email him to request a volunteer application (please include your phone number in your email). New applicants are invited to our office for a one-on-one orientation prior to scheduling their first volunteer shift. Days and times are flexible.
Season specific volunteer opportunities:
- Child care to allow low income parents can attend a workshop - Spring, summer and fall
- Book production in April-May, July-August and November - typing, proofreading and submission selection
- Community reading volunteers - May, August, December
- Event planning & participation - late summer/early fall
- Workshop facilitation (details below)
Ongoing volunteer opportunities:
- Office support - data entry, filing, organizing
- Mailings
- Research
- Resource development
- Photography
- Internships
- Hosting a houseparty to introduce your friends to Write Around Portland (more details below)
You will look great in a Write Around Portland T-shirt!
Now you can look oh-so Portland - wherever you are - and show your support for respect, writing and community. Buy your Write Around Portland t-shirt today!
T's are USA-made and locally designed and locally printed. 100% cotton, asphalt grey. The front has our brand new logo and the back reads "respect. writing. community."
T-shirts are $18 each (or $20 if you want us to mail it). Call us to place your order - 503.796.9224. We can accept cash or checks made payable to "Write Around Portland" for t-shirt sales. Click here for sizes and more info.
Give the gift of writing - donate a new journal
To ensure that everyone in our community has access to writing, we remove all obstacles to participation by providing writing journals, pens, bus tickets, food, and childcare.
If you would like to help by donating a new writing journal (soft or hardcover, lined or unlined, but please no spiral notebooks), you can drop it off at at Write Around Portland, 917 SW Oak, Suite 406, Portland, OR 97205.
Celebrate your birthday, wedding, new house, first marathon, finishing your novel - and support Write Around Portland!
Volunteers and supporters often ask us how they can help make a really big difference in our workshop participants’ lives. We've designed a great booklet you can use to host a party, benefit, book club or event to:
• Share your commitment to Write Around Portland and help make Portland a better place.
• Help us continue to provide free creative writing workshops to those with the least access.
• Have fun and meaningful connections with your family, friends and acquaintances.
Questions? Contact Beth White, our Development Director, 503.796.9224.
Train to be a Workshop Facilitator
Write Around Portland's workshops are facilitated by trained, dedicated volunteers. We hold two 27-hour trainings per year in January and April/May. The deadlines to apply are in November and March, respectively.
If you are interested in applying to participate in one of our volunteer facilitator trainings, your first step is to contact Thomas Cordova, our volunteer coordinator at 503.796.9224 who will explain the process and set up a volunteer orientation with you. A volunteer orientation is a prerequisite to applying.
PLEASE NOTE: To meet the demand for our workshops in Spanish and other languages, we are especially interested in applicants who are bilingual.
917 SW Oak St. #406 Portland, OR 97205 503.796.9224
"I appreciate that I can really help make a difference by volunteering with Write Around Portland."
Matt Flores Write Around Portland Volunteer
