Volunteers are the heart of our programs

At NAMI Multnomah, volunteers are the heart of everything we do. We're a peer-based, grassroots organization, which means our programs are built on something powerful: people who've walked similar paths showing up for one another.

Our volunteers bring their own lived experience with mental health, and that shared understanding is what makes our community so meaningful. To join us, volunteers must be in a stable place in their mental health recovery, commit to a one-year term, complete our free training, and follow NAMI's program structure.

To volunteer with us: Review the positions below and complete our Volunteer Form.

We’ll be in touch soon to schedule a 1:1 volunteer interview. Before your interview, please watch our volunteer orientation video.

Volunteer Positions

Note: These volunteer positions may not be open or available. Please check in with our program coordinators for open positions and next steps.

Ending the Silence presenters

The Ending the Silence program is led by a team of two volunteers — a lead and a young adult —who educate middle and high school students, staff, and families about mental health. The lead presenter uses a PowerPoint presentation to facilitate discussion on mental health, warning signs of mental illness, and what actions to take if you or someone you know needs help.

The young adult presenter (aged 18 to 35) shares their personal journey of mental health recovery, concluding on a positive and hopeful note. Both presenters are available to answer audience questions and provide information about local resources, including support groups and mental health classes offered by NAMI Multnomah.

Volunteers complete a self-led virtual training and a practice session with a NAMI Multnomah staff member. After completing the training, we will invite you to observe an upcoming presentation or share opportunities to present. Presentations are usually during school hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the presentation and facilitate discussion, or share your personal story.

• Answer participants' questions and share mental health resources.

• Encourage participants to complete an evaluation form.

Community resource volunteers

Community Resource Volunteers spread empathy and kindness while responding to voicemails and emails from community members seeking support and resources on a variety of topics, from basic needs services to finding a support group, help with legal issues, or finding a therapist. Volunteers must complete a two-hour training with the program supervisor. Shifts are usually four hours per week, spread over 1 to 2 days. After training, we provide opportunities to shadow before volunteering on your own. This position is remote and can be done on your own time from the comfort of your home.

Responsibilities:

• Respond to calls and emails in a timely manner.

• Provide information and referrals to local resources with empathy and kindness.

• Update internal resource list with new resources as needed.

• Completing a data entry form after completing each request.

Family Support Group Facilitators

Support group leaders share their wisdom and experience to help others who are struggling with similar experiences. Family support group facilitators volunteer in pairs to lead the group.

Facilitators must have experience participating in a family support group and complete a 16-hour training (usually offered online via Zoom). After training, we provide opportunities to shadow experienced facilitators before leading the group with another volunteer.

Responsibilities:

• Co-facilitate 90-minute support group meetings in-person or online via Zoom at least once per month.

• Follow the NAMI model by leading the group through the agenda and principles of support, check-in, group discussion, and check-out.

• Encourage the group to support one another.

Peer support group Facilitators

Peer support group facilitators are peers to the group they support (i.e., Veterans, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc.) and are living well on their mental health journey. These leaders share their stories, wisdom, and experience with other peers seeking support on their mental health journey. Peer support group facilitators volunteer in pairs to lead the group.

Facilitators must have experience participating in a peer support group and complete a 16-hour training (usually offered online via Zoom). After training, we provide opportunities to shadow experienced facilitators before leading the group with another volunteer.

Responsibilities:

• Co-facilitate 90-minute support group meetings in-person or online via Zoom at least once per month.

• Follow the NAMI model by leading the group through the agenda and principles of support, check-in, group discussion, and check-out.

• Encourage the group to support one another.

Mental health class teachers

We are seeking peers to teach our Peer-to-Peer mental health classes and family members to teach our Family-to-Family mental health classes. Volunteers teach the class in pairs, and classes are offered virtually or in person three times per year. Completion of a Peer-to-Peer or Family-to-Family class is required before attending a 16-hour training (usually offered online via Zoom). After training, we provide opportunities to shadow experienced teachers before leading a class with another volunteer.

Responsibilities:

• Be available to co-teach at least one class per year (either in-person or online via Zoom) for 2-3 hours per class over a period of eight consecutive weeks, with time before and after class to plan and debrief with co-teacher.

• Monitor attendance and encourage participants to complete an evaluation form.

• Debrief with the program coordinator after the final class.