YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line, a program of Lines for Life, where trained teen volunteers support other young people by phone, text, and chat, with adult clinicians available around the clock.
Volunteering looks likeTeen volunteers are trained to answer YouthLine calls, texts, and chats, offering peer support to other youth with adult supervisors backing them up, and join outreach to spread the word in schools. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)
Deschutes Public Library serves all of Deschutes County through branches in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, and Sunriver, offering books and media, digital resources, storytimes and youth programs, adult learning and author events, and community spaces. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers help at branches across Deschutes County with materials handling, programs and events, and outreach. Read more ›
Who can volunteerPreteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
Pet Partners is a national nonprofit, based in Bellevue, Washington, that educates, evaluates, certifies, and insures volunteer therapy animal teams. For nearly 50 years its teams have visited hospitals, schools, and nursing homes, and it registers nine species, from dogs and cats to horses, rabbits, birds, and llamas. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers and their animals become registered therapy animal teams that visit hospitals, schools, care facilities, and people recovering from crises. Read more ›
Who can volunteerPreteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
The High Desert Museum, just south of Bend, is the largest cultural institution in Central and Eastern Oregon and the only museum in the nation devoted to North America's High Desert. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers support nearly every part of the Museum, from staffing exhibits and leading hands-on activities for visitors to helping school groups on field trips, assisting at Admissions, and interpreting living history and natural history at various sites. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
NAMI Central Oregon, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provides free support, education, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their families, including peer and family support groups, classes, and community presentations that reduce stigma and help people find hope and recovery.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteer roles include support group leaders and class teachers (with NAMI training, often people with lived experience), community presentations and outreach, local advocacy, events and fundraising, grant writing, graphic design and writing, and admin help. Read more ›
Who can volunteerGroupsCorporate / Workplace GroupsAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
The Central Oregon group of Moms Demand Action has been active in Bend since 2014 as a local group of the Oregon chapter. Its volunteers organize community gatherings such as the annual Wear Orange event each June, meet with lawmakers, and share safe firearm storage education with families. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers help with community events and vigils, legislative advocacy (contacting lawmakers, testifying, advocacy days in Salem), Be SMART safe firearm storage education, voter outreach, tabling at local events, and survivor support. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Bend Park and Recreation District manages Bend's parks, trails, and recreation facilities, including Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, Larkspur Community Center, and the Deschutes River Trail, and offers year-round sports, fitness, youth, and senior programs for residents of all ages and abilities.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers coach youth sports, help care for parks and trails through project days (weeding, litter cleanup, trail maintenance), and support recreation programs — including teen-specific roles like Cougar Camp counselors, Junior Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Aides. Read more ›
Who can volunteerPreteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
St. Charles Health System is Central Oregon's nonprofit health system, operating hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras along with family care and specialty clinics, hospice, and community health programs, serving people across the region.
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers serve at St. Charles hospitals and clinics in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras, greeting and guiding patients and visitors, supporting patient units and waiting areas, staffing gift shops, and helping with hospice and caregiving programs. Read more ›
Who can volunteerAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)Oregon Health Plan Hours
Board House Society (BoHo) is a Bend nonprofit community skate project, founded in 2024, that empowers everyone through skateboarding, creative expression, and community. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeBoHo is a community project, and volunteers help make it go: supporting skate camps, lessons, and open skate sessions, helping run community events, competitions, and fundraisers like its Community Jams, and lending creative skills in art, film, and music. Read more ›
Who can volunteerGroupsAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Think Wild is Central and Eastern Oregon's only public wildlife hospital and conservation center, located on four acres on Bend's east side. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers help in the wildlife hospital with animal care, diet prep, and enclosure upkeep; rescue and transport injured wildlife; care for ambassador animals; support education programs, camps, and community events; and assist with humane wildlife conflict projects. Read more ›
Who can volunteerFamiliesGroupsCorporate / Workplace GroupsSchool GroupsScout TroopsFaith GroupsChildren (3–9)Preteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
The Rural Oregon Community Foundation, which also does business as the Crooked River Roundup Foundation, is a Prineville nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Western Way of Life. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers, including many local FFA and 4-H students, help run the foundation's annual Dinner & Dance fundraiser that kicks off Roundup week, and support youth programs like Boots and Roots and community events like the Fall Cowboy Gathering.
Who can volunteerGroupsSchool GroupsAdolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)
Jefferson County's primary Christmas gift program for kids facing hardship, run for 30+ years by the Madras Kiwanis Club and the Madras High Key Club. Read more ›
Volunteering looks likeVolunteers wrap hundreds of gifts at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in December, with drop-in wrapping open to individuals, families, school leadership classes, and groups. Read more ›
Who can volunteerFamiliesGroupsCorporate / Workplace GroupsSchool GroupsFaith GroupsPreteens (10–12)Adolescents (13–18)Adults (19+)Older adults (65+)