matches between groups in need of help and
volunteers with busy lives. Once you register
with them at VolunteerMatch.org, you can im-
mediately get paired with something just right
for you. They’ve made over 6,000,000 referrals,
and host very useful free web seminars full of
information on who they are, volunteering in
general, and the organizations with whom they
partner. I really had a “welcome to the future”
moment on their website.
THE Q CENTER | PDXQCENTER.ORG
Portland’s LGBTQ Community Center, located
on Mississippi Avenue, is a great resource for
all things Q. Whether you want to volunteer
directly for them, or another program such as
SMYRC — an LGBTQ youth program, help-
ing is simpler than you’d think. I went in and
spoke to a front desk volunteer named Michael
Lecker. He’s a PhD student that wanted to get
involved at a local level, and emailed Q Cen-
ter through their volunteer link. In two days
he had a brief interview scheduled that quickly
landed him a part-time desk position.
He also said that nonscheduled volunteering
is easy too. You can work various one-time
events, and I recalled the intense mayoral Q&A
some weeks ago, and regretted not volunteer-
ing for it. For those who did not attend, let’s just
say that the candidates were very colorful, and
a few were downright entertaining.
If Michael is an example of the kind of person
that volunteers for the Q Center, then I want to
be there too. You don’t have to look far to see
the great amount of good they do in the com-
munity, and being a part of that is one email
away.
THE PIXIE PROJECT | PIXIEPROJECT.ORG
What Portlander doesn’t want to volunteer
with animals? The Pixie Project runs a newly
expanded atypical animal shelter with amaz-
ing pet owner support, and a fully stocked non-
profit pet supply store. They do pet-to-owner
matchmaking, and have some of the most posi-
tive attitudes I’ve encountered in this kind of
work. From their website you can get info on
volunteering. Some of these opportunities in-
clude dog walking and working in their cattery.
A cattery? Me-wow!
I’m impressed by how easy and positive talking
to these organizations was. Thanks to everyone
who got back to me with information. I think
it’s pretty clear that any laidback Portlander
can easily lend a hand. §
December 2012
JustOut.com
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