What began as a small chapter of Northwest Quilters in 1974 has grown into a devoted coalition of members driven by a love of fabric and the desire to give back to their community. In their first year, they donated 600 blankets; last year: 2,473. Among their recipient list of community organizations is Habitat for […]

“Throughout my life, I’ve seen the difference that volunteering efforts can make in people’s lives.  I know the personal value of service as a local volunteer.” – Jimmy Carter   For many, volunteerism is a way to give back to the community; a contribution of time to benefit others. For some, volunteerism is a means […]

Lending a voice to affordable housing When Marcia McKean moved back to Portland after living in Italy, she discovered a different city than the one she left nine years before. Rent and home prices had seen some of the highest increases in the country, wages remained stagnant, and a population boom put pressure on the […]

After moving to Portland from Denmark, like many newcomers, Jean Rychlik was struck by the number of people she saw living on the streets. After all, as a licensed Realtor® and residential real estate investor, her career has been dedicated to finding housing. Instead of turning a blind eye, she sought solutions. While attending a […]

Look within any business, big or small, and you’ll find it’s comprised of people who live in and care about their community. Inspired by this idea, Jessica Hewitt, Vice President Community Relations Manager at Bank of America in Portland, creates volunteer opportunities for employees that allow them to explore their passions while giving back to […]

  Some folks look forward to retirement because they can finally take a break from work, kick off their shoes and relax. Others prefer to find work even after retirement and choose to spend some of their time volunteering. Last year, over 1,800 volunteers donated their time and energy to Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. Habitat is lucky to have many retirees […]

Carole Hedstrom’s warm smile is a welcoming beacon to volunteers as they arrive at Habitat’s Brooklyn Pines build site in SE Portland. As a volunteer site host, Carole ensures that volunteers are properly checked-in, suited up with safety gear and ready for the day ahead, while helping keep the build site tidy and organized. Carole’s […]