Hands on Greater Portland
Through two strategic planning processes in Washington County – the Community Comprehensive Plan for Children and Families and Vision West – a need for, and considerable interest in, the establishment of a Volunteer Center to provide volunteer recruitment and matching services to volunteers and non-profit organizations in the county was identified. Washington County was the only county in the metropolitan area, and the four county United Way service area, without a Volunteer Center. To this end the Vision Action Network, charged with supporting implementation of key strategies identified in the Vision West planning process, and the Commission on Children and Families, charged with supporting implementation of strategies identified in the Community Comprehensive Plan for Children and Families, partnered to support a collaborative planning process to establish a Volunteer Center for Washington County. In 2003 a coalition of more than 25 representatives of area non-profits, volunteer based organizations, citizen advocates and local business came together to develop plans to establish a Volunteer Center. In developing a Center the planning coalition agreed to seek an existing agency with willingness to expand services into Washington County. Hands On Portland was chosen. In November 2004, thanks to generous funding from Washington County and the support of the advisory group, Vision Action Network and the Commission for Children and Families, Hands On Washington County (HOWC) was born. Since then HOWC has been successfully connecting and supporting volunteers and agencies, and increasing volunteerism in Washington County. In 2008 Hands on Portland changed their name to Hands on Greater Portland to include their work in Washington County. For more information about Hands On Greater Portland please visit their website: |
