Volunteering raises everyone’s spirits and there is a volunteer opportunity to fit any schedule.  The gift of volunteering is life changing and heartwarming for all involved. Our transportation volunteer opportunities help seniors and/or those with a disability in your community live independently and thrive! If you enjoy connecting with others and learning new skills, join our team of volunteers!  Take some time to review the below volunteer opportunities we have available within our Transit Services.  Each will have different commitment levels, and onboarding requirements to suit your needs.

- DESCRIPTION OF THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH CLACKAMAS COUNTY -

TRANSPORTATION REACHING PEOPLE (TRP) We provide a shared ride service for Clackamas County residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities. Rides are free for medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other essential errands. Our volunteer drivers use their personal vehicles for door-to-door service, helping promote independent living. While our volunteers are vital to the program, we also employ paid drivers for daily routes in the surrounding four counties that offer curb-to-curb service.

RIDE TOGETHER (RT) is a volunteer program to help reimburse mileage cost when driving a family member (must live in a separate dwelling), neighbor or friend to doctor appointments, grocery trips and other critical services. You would submit your trips to our program to be entered into our Dispatch System to receive funds.

VETS DRIVING VETS (VDV) is a volunteer program where Vets help provide transportation to other Vets to help maintain their independence.

Volunteer Eligibility and Requirements for the above programs:

• Drive their own vehicle to help others.  Their own insurance is the primary, and the County is the secondary coverage.
• Track rides and mileage to receive mileage reimbursement of 0.625 cents/mile.
• Give time as you can Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm—drivers determine their own flexible schedule.  Ride Together volunteers can claim mileage any day of the week.
• Receive free drivers’ safety training that may offer discounts on auto insurance.
• Pass County background and drivers history check (this process takes 6-8 weeks)
• Complete online County provided drivers education hours (online courses estimated 4 hours)
• Pass a Road Test Evaluation with a staff or center member
• Provide availability to dispatch one week in advance (for TRP and VDV only; RT plan their own rides)

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM Volunteers meet one-on-one with older adults, typically 1-2 times a week. Many of these individuals lack family support and feel isolated, which can harm their physical and mental health. Volunteers provide companionship, support, and a listening ear. Activities can include chatting, attending senior center events, grocery shopping, going to movies or coffee, helping with small tasks, playing games, or visiting parks and libraries. The program aims to help seniors stay safely in their homes, feel connected, and avoid moving away from familiar surroundings. This role is ideal for compassionate seniors who enjoy social interaction and want to connect with others.

This is a unique volunteer opportunity that is designed to support low-income seniors and provides a stipend for their time.  The applicant must meet all below eligibility requirements.

Volunteer Eligibility and Requirements for the SCP Program:

• Drive their own vehicle to help others.  Their own insurance is the primary, and the County is the secondary coverage.
• Receive mileage reimbursement of 0.625 cents/mile
• Volunteers receive a $4.00 hourly stipend
• Are paired with Senior looking for companionship, and transportation support
• Provide long term companionship for seniors in need
• Receive free drivers’ safety training that may offer discounts on auto insurance and continuous support training throughout the year
• Serve a minimum of 5 hours per week (or as much as 40)
• Be age 55 or older
• Have a limited income (200% of the federal poverty level)
• Pass a Road Test Evaluation
• Pass County background, drivers history check, fingerprinting and NSOR check.
• Complete online County provided drivers education hours
• Complete 20+ hours of County provided onboarding training requirements, and yearly attend bi-monthly in-service days.

If you are interested in moving forward with the application process, please complete our Volunteer Application by creating a My Impact Page Account. NOTE: write down Log-in and password information for future use of My Impact Page.  We use this system to report hours and mileage.

Once we receive the application, it will go through a review process and someone from our team will contact you.  After you have been contacted, additional forms will need to be filled out and the subsequent steps can take up to 6-8 weeks.

Thank you for your time and we appreciate your willingness to serve!