Assistance League of Greater Portland

This is an all member volunteer organization. All funds raised for philanthropic programs stay in the community. Thrift and Consignment shops are filled with excellent merchandise and communicate regularly with customers who have signed up to receive notices regarding sales and events. Merchandise does not last long in the shops because of good prices and the quality of the items. These shops are part of a nationwide chain of independently operated thrift/consignment shops throughout the country and staffed by member volunteers of Assistance League®.

Homeless youth are those youth between the ages of 12 and 21 who lack a stable residence and are living away from their parent or guardian. They are living in shelters, couch surfing with friends, seeking shelter in vehicles or abandoned buildings or sleeping on the street. They have no address or identification documents and no parental assistance in financial matters. They may have lost or severed contact with their parents or extended family. This is their description from the Oregon Report, Living in the Shadows, published in 2005. Assistance League®Portland is striving to help these students stay in high school by providing them with new, appropriate clothing that fits. In 2011-2012 Assistance League member volunteers clothed 338 of these students attending class in the Beaverton School District. Additionally, elementary school age students in the Beaverton and Hillsboro School District are provide new clothing that includes: a warm jacket; two pair of jeans and tops; six sets of socks and underwear, a shoe voucher, dental kit and an age appropriate book. Member volunteers give their time to work in the chapter's two shops, Thrift and Consignment, write grants, speak to local groups to raise awareness and hold major fundraising event. This organization has NO paid employees, everyone is a member volunteer.

Assistance League provided new clothing for 801 children in grades K-6 attending school in the Hillsboro School District and 315 children in grades K-2 attending school in the Beaverton School District 2010-2011.
Additional Assault Survivor kits are distributed to seven area hospitals so victims can leave their clothing have something to wear home.
Washington and Multnomah County Children Services give each child leaving foster care a Life Story Book created by members of the chaper for each child to take their own history with them to their permanent family.
With the homeless and unaccompanied high schools students in the Beaverton School District, Assistance League provides job interview clothing.
As a member since 2004, I can not think of a better way to give back to the community. The member volunteers of this organization believe in what they are doing and demonstrate their commitment through volunteering in our shops and supporting our fund raising events.
Considering the need in the community there is much more that needs to be done. We hope to attract more member volunteers for our organiztion and additional financial support from the community.