Get Involved

On this page:

Participate in a writing workshop
Volunteer
Train to be a volunteer workshop facilitator
Get a Write Around Portland t-shirt
Throw a party & support Write Around Portland
Donate a journal or host a journal drive

Participate in a Writing Workshop

Write Around Portland runs 8-10 week free writing workshops for adults and youth in hospitals, schools, senior centers, treatment centers, social service agencies, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, low income housing residences and other agencies. Click here for a full list of our agency partners and the populations we serve.

We also hold workshops with associated fees, open to everyone: Prompt workshop at Powell's City of Books and our 3rd Thursday and last Sunday workshops at HOTLIPS Pizza.

Go to our Events page for details about our upcoming workshops or call 503.796.9224. Please note that registration for all of 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 and rewarding volunteer experience

Our dedicated volunteers make our workshops, readings and books possible. We have a variety of 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 volunteering, give us a call (503.796.9224) or send us an 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.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Providing childcare to enable low income parents to participate in a writing workshop
Book production - typing, proofreading and submission selection
Events and community readings
Workshop facilitation (details below)

Office support - data entry, filing, organizing
Mailings
Research
Resource development
Photography
Internships
Hosting a houseparty to introduce your friends to Write Around Portland (details below)
Board membership and committee service

'It has been truly life-changing for me to facilitate Write Around Portland workshops…

While I know that I was volunteering to help others change their lives through writing, I think I was the one who was most affected."

- Elizabeth Fuss

Train to be a Volunteer Workshop Facilitator

Our writing workshops are led by trained, dedicated volunteers. We hold two 27-hour trainings per year in January and late spring or summer. The next training will be in August 2013. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Friday, June 28th. Late applications will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE:

Click here to learn more about being a workshop facilitator, the training and the application process.
Contact Liz Eslinger for more information about facilitation, the training and to schedule your volunteer orientation, 503.796.9224.
To meet the demand for our workshops in Spanish and other languages, we are especially interested in applicants who are bilingual.

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. T's are USA-made and locally designed and locally printed. 100% cotton, asphalt grey. The front has our logo and the back reads "respect. writing. community."

T's are $18 each (or $20 if mailed). 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.

Celebrate your birthday, wedding, new house, marathon run, 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 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.

Give the gift of writing - donate a new journal or host a journal drive

When someone joins us for a workshop, we give them their very own journal. Providing a donated journal to every participant conveys that our community truly does value their stories and their lives. We are honored to hold journal drives in partnership with Portland area businesses, schools and places of worship.

A journal drive is like a food drive. We provide a collection box, signs, sample announcements and anything else that would make it easy for you to host a journal drive.

If you would like to help by donating a journal, you can drop it off at our office. Contact Beth White to learn more.

133 SW 2nd Ave, Suite 304, Portland, OR 97204

503.796.9224 info@writearound.org