Volunteer

Volunteers founded the new Hopewell House and volunteers are key to its ongoing work.

Hopewell volunteers are a vital community of specialized teams, serving throughout and beyond our home to sustain every area of operations and caregiving.

Our Volunteers

Hopewell volunteers are a life-affirming community of nearly 150 compassionate people who support our home with a variety of skills and talents. Volunteers assist staff in caring for residents and their families, greet visitors, help with housekeeping, kitchen, and maintenance. Volunteer therapists (e.g., massage, acupuncture, Reiki and more) apply their gifts to soothe the bodies and spirits of our entire community. Musicians, artists and pet therapy volunteers warm the home with creativity, beauty, and the joyful presence of animals. Volunteers plant and maintain garden spaces, secure food and flower donations, craft quilts and blankets, and volunteers assist with outreach and communications.

We seek diverse volunteers from different races, ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientations. Do you speak a second language or bring a diverse background, set of experiences or abilities? We welcome a vibrant and inclusive community and hope you’ll apply when volunteer positions are available (check the specific team pages below in late fall for details).

“We are deeply honored to spend time with the residents, their families, and the incredible staff at Hopewell House. Thank you for welcoming us into your lives and sharing your light with us. Your warmth and kindness are truly inspiring.”

Ryan F. (and therapy dog Hygee)

“I have been retired for some time now and remember thinking when I first retired now what? Retirement wasn’t really a goal, it’s just what you did at a certain age. So as I find myself heading down the hill to Hopewell House the question sometimes comes up, Why this? As I hit the front door I’m thinking whats going to happen today, no two days are the same. As I open the door I’m home, this is where I belong. Sometimes a bit chaotic, but then with love and compassion everything falls together. We are all dancing to the music that is our common destiny, how could it be any other way. How fortunate I am to have the opportunity to be a part of all this.”

Richard F.

“What I’ve learned about myself this year volunteering is that I didn’t really know that much about the dying process. The sacredness of dying was not something I really understood, but being at Hopewell House reaffirms this message to me every day. We are conditioned to throw a lot of enthusiasm into births and life’s other milestones, but not so much towards dying. I am learning how deserving dying is of our attention and accompaniment. And I am so grateful to be a part of this through my volunteering at Hopewell House.”

Lisa C.

“Being a volunteer at HH has helped me to evolve, to go beyond the capacity for just the here and now. In turn, my outlook on the way I live my life has been enlightened. There’s an acceptance that happens and embracing of life that happens. Being in the space of people who are transitioning puts us all on “common ground”. Our one common denominator for living in this we will all die. I see many differences, opinions and choices people make but caring for someone who is dying is a sacred practice. It breaks down all the differences one has and as a result we are all the same.”

Sue S.

“Hopewell House is a special place. It is a place where hard things are accepted as they are – death, messy relationships, brokenness. And somehow that makes it easier to see the beauty in life and to love each other.”

Cathy D.

“Each resident of Hopewell is making a brave journey. Through supporting residents at Hopewell House I have gotten to know the most incredible people who have shared so much about their lives. And I have also gotten to know the many loved ones who have had so much to share about the resident they care about. It is a gift to have supported residents and their loved ones in the journey as residents move into what is next, and an honor to have provided companionment, compassion, and care. “

Rion P.

“It’s like stepping into a different reality where time slows down. The outside world falls away and you are just there in the moment. Your only concern is doing what you can support the person in front of you.” (Savannah is a LMT with the Complementary & Alternative Therapies volunteer team

Savanna W.

Hopewell House Volunteer Teams

Interested in volunteering at Hopewell House?

We are incredibly thankful for the robust support from the community and at this time are accepting applications for our complementary therapies team for licensed massage therapists. Please check back in early fall for openings for other volunteer opportunities. We’re thankful for your interest.

Resident Life Support Team

Our resident life volunteers bring calm presence and mindful attention to help create the most comfortable, compassionate end-of-life experience possible. They assist clinical staff in providing physical and emotional support to Hopewell House residents and their friends and families. These volunteers read aloud, offer companionship and personal care, assist with meals, bathing, turning, positioning, and more.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application and Successful Interview
Criminal Record and Reference Check
TB/Drug Attestation
Food Handlers Card
Completion of Specific Training Required for Team

COMMITMENT
Four-hour shift weekly or bi-weekly for a minimum of one year.

Not currently accepting applications. Please check back at a later date.

Concierge & Welcome Team

Guided by the values that thoughtful listening and gracious kindness are at the heart of everything we do, Concierge and Welcome Volunteers (CWVs) are the first point of contact for visitors, including family, friends, hospice providers, and other volunteers. These volunteers respond to the often subtle ways that people voice their needs, helping to provide the most comfortable, trauma informed, and compassionate end-of-life experience possible for our residents and their family and friends. CWVs answer phones, greet staff and guests, answer questions, maintain logs, and resolve tasks which arise in a day.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application and Successful Interview
Criminal Record and Reference Check
TB/Drug Attestation
Food Handlers Card
Completion of Specific Training Required for Team

COMMITMENT
Four-hour shift weekly or bi-weekly for a minimum of one year.

Not currently accepting applications.

Knitting/Crocheting and Quilting Teams - Accepting Donations NOW!

A great way to share your time and talents (from home!) by creating colorful quilts, lap blankets and prayer shawls for the comfort of residents during their time at Hopewell House. Each resident will be offered a quilt of their choice, handmade by generous and creative community members who have donated their time, talents and materials. Each quilt will remain with the resident during their care and their family will be invited to take the quilt home with them upon the resident’s death. Knitted (or crocheted) lap blankets, prayer shawls, beanies and slippers will be offered as a gift to residents and family members as well.

Quilt Guidelines

Knit and Crochet Guidelines

Accepting Donations for handmade quilts and knitted items (to specifications)

For more information please contact yarnart@fhhpdx.org or quilts@fhhpdx.org

Gardening Team

The Garden Team is a like-minded community, believing that nature can be a place of peace, solace and healing for residents and their families. Garden volunteers create lovely outdoor spaces that bring beauty to every resident window and encourage nature’s majesty and serenity for all who come to Hopewell House. Our garden volunteers may be master gardeners, hobby gardeners or simply those who find pleasure in spending time outdoors. Come garden with us!

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
A love of nature – A love of gardening a plus.
The ability to work as part of a team.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
No training necessary and tools onsite.
Team lead will provide direction.
SCHEDULE
Spring, Summer & Fall – Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 – 11:30
Winter – Mondays from 9:30 – 12:00 (starting in November)
COMMITMENT
2 to 3 hours weekly or bi-weekly. Preferably for at least one year.

Not currently accepting applications. Please check back at a later date.

Complementary and Alternative Services Team

Hopewell House’s Complementary and Alternative Services Team includes volunteers from diverse backgrounds who bring an array of healing gifts. Alternative therapies can bring relief and release of physical discomfort and can even play a role in emotional breakthroughs for distressed residents. Hopewell is so fortunate that these amazing volunteers are bringing their healing gifts to help ease this sacred transition.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Therapeutic expertise in one or more:
Acupuncture
Craniosacral therapy
Energy work (Reiki and healing touch)
Massage
Music and sound (no current volunteer opportunities)
Myofascial release
Personal aesthetics (hair cutting/styling/make-up)
Pet therapy (no current volunteer opportunities)
Aromatherapy

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application and Successful Interview
Criminal Record and Reference Check
TB/Drug Attestation
Completion of Specific Training Required for Team

COMMITMENT
Two-hour shift weekly or bi-weekly for a minimum of one year.

Not currently accepting applications at this time. Please check back at a later date.

Kitchen Support

The kitchen volunteer works alongside the cook of the day as a two-person team. Volunteers are needed every day of the week. Shifts are two hours. Volunteers are needed in the morning, afternoon and evening. Tasks include washing dishes, doing prep work for meals, and making baked goods and breads. The afternoon morning shifts can begin as early as 7 am up to 10 am and afternoon begins anytime after 2 pm and can be flexible up till evening. Hopewell House provides fresh baked goods and welcomes volunteers who have skills and a passion in that area. This is a role that makes enormous contributions behind the scenes. An orientation to the kitchen and role is provided.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Enjoyment of being in a kitchen and washing dishes
The ability to work as part of a team and alignment with Hopewell House Mission and Vision
Completed Application and Successful Interview
Criminal Record and Reference Check
TB/Drug Attestation

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Food Handlers Card
Team lead will provide orientation

SCHEDULE
Seven days a week two shifts 7:00 – 9:00 am and 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
Note: depending on volunteer availability there is some flexibility in start time.

COMMITMENT
One to four shifts per month, perferable for one year.

Not currently accepting applications. Please check back at a later date.

Contemplative Care Team

Contemplative care volunteers attend to the emotional support of residents and their loved ones. This includes extended and focused presence, as well as spiritual support. Volunteers respond to the many, often subtle, ways that residents voice their needs, helping residents and their loved ones have the most comfortable and compassionate end-of-life experience possible.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application and Successful Interview
Criminal Record and Reference Check
TB/Drug Attestation
Food Handlers Card
Completion of Specific Training Required for Team

COMMITMENT

Two-hour shift weekly or bi-weekly for a one year minimum

RESPONSIBILTIES MAY INCLUDE

Ease the way for residents and their loved ones during the dying time – there is a lot to “figure out” and move through during residency at Hopewell House, and matters of the heart are a part of the process for residents and their loved ones.
Identify personal and culturally respectful support that resonates with residents’ and families’ spiritual and heart-based beliefs and identities.
Provide deep listening, authentic presence for matters of the heart and mind that residents and their loved ones want to talk about.
Identify relevant music, prayers, readings, or other relevant supports for residents and their loved ones.
Assist with sacred transitional ceremonies for individuals in the dying time.
Tend to grief and sit vigil.

Not currently accepting applications. Please check back at a later date.

Community and Volunteer Events

Every Monday Morning

Meditation Monday Mornings

Mondays 8:30 – 8:50 am. For the Hopewell House Community (current volunteers and staff): a weekly 20-minute compassion and mindfulness meditation practice. Led by experienced practitioners, this guided meditation is an opportunity to deepen our practice of compassion and self-awareness. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or a beginner, we benefit from taking a pause together and setting intentions for the week ahead. If you are interested in joining, please message Laura Steffen.

Every Friday Afternoon

Yoga for Calmness

October 10 and 17: 3:00-4:00 pm in the Living Room. Ananda Yoga is Hatha-based with its primary focus being on bringing our energy inward and offering it up to experience the inner freedom of an open heart, a clear mind, and a relaxed body. All skill levels are welcome and modifications are available for all poses, including using chairs. Just bring yourself, all props are provided. Open to all.

HOPEWELL HOUSE LIVING ROOM

Third Monday Every Month

The Monthly Community Grief ritual

Third Monday Every Month, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Facilitated by Brooke Lesley and Dr. Ashlie Hemstead

Join our beautiful community as we explore our relationship with grief.
The losses of a lifetime are too much for us to carry alone and they were never meant to. It’s essential that we bring the heartaches we walk out from within us and let them be seen and held in our community as we heal.

Grieving in community supports our individual and collective capacity to feel deeply and to grow resilient. It helps us build trust within ourselves and each other, and helps us to move unhealed grief and unprocessed trauma. There is certain medicine that can only be accessed by being together in and with our grief. That’s what this grief ritual is all about.

Loss takes many forms and all forms ask to be seen and honored through the process of healing. Grieving in community serves all forms of loss whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, a dream, a life stage, an expectation, the loss experienced by our ancestors, the pain of the collective, the loss of our natural world, the loss of beloved animals, and so much more. This grief circle is a space to come, to listen, and to share so we can heal through loss and connect in community. All are welcome.

HOPEWELL HOUSE LIVING ROOM