Portland Public Schools
Portland, Oregon

Access LogoACCESS Academy Alternative Program

An Accelerated Program
for Highly Gifted Students

4013 NE 18th Ave | Portland, OR 97212
Phone: (503) 916-6482 | Fax: (503) 916-2547

Community Service

Hello new and returning ACCESS families! I am head of the ACCESS Community Service Committee. I wanted to introduce what we are doing and to say that more parents are needed to help on this committee - especially to support the teachers in both the lower grades and upper grades. It is not a huge time commitment, mostly making phone calls to set up service trips, and helping teachers figure out what they'd like to do. The teachers really appreciate the parent support! Please let me know if you would like to help.

-Judy Berck (503) 238-6075 judyb@judyb.com

The Community Service program’s mission is to inspire ACCESS students to see themselves as part of the greater community that lies beyond them, both close to home and internationally; to help students learn and think about a wide variety of social issues–– including homelessness, hunger, ecology, international issues, disaster relief, animal welfare,and other topics students are interested in; and to help students become leaders in community service, both during and outside of school.

There are three parts to the program:

  • Curricular: parents of the ACCESS program support teachers in their efforts to include service learning and volunteer opportunities as part of students’ school experience, by researching opportunities, making phone calls, tracking paperwork, acting as chaperone, orienting speakers, etc.
  • Student Community Service Leadership program: students can perform extracurricular community service. All students who complete requirements will be recognized at a school assembly and presented with a certificate. Outstanding volunteers will be recognized at an assembly with a “Volunteer of the Year” plaque or some other way.
  • Family Service Saturdays: once a month, students and family members can do service work together, alternating at Free Geek and the Oregon Food Bank.

See the links below for details on the Student Community Service Leadership program and Family Service Saturdays.

Community Service Leadership Program flyer

Community Service Saturdays flyer

Free Geek (www.freegeek.org) 1731 SE 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 503 232-9350
We have several programs for volunteers. Some people can't wait to get their first computer, while others are more interested in learning about computer hardware or writing computer programs. So we encourage new volunteers to choose the program that most closely matches their interests.

Hands on Portland (www.handsonportland.org). 503 234-3581.
This wonderful group can help you find many opportunities to help others; you can choose your own favorite activity. Ask for their monthly newsletter.

Meals-on-Wheels. 503 736-6325. Every Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Help prepare food or deliver meals (with a licensed driver who is 18 or over).

Oregon Food Bank. 503 282-0555. 2549 NE Riverside Way.
Call for ways to help the homeless and hungry get food.

Oregon Humane Society - Feel the LoveOregon Humane Society. (www.oregonhumane.com) 503 285-7722.
1067 NE Columbia Blvd. Help animals live a better life and find homes. Get information about training and times on the web.

Oregon Zoo. 503 226-1561. Call and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator to learn about opportunities to help, like the Zoo Boo.

Union Gospel Mission. 503 262-0900. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 to 9 pm. (Youngsters must work with an adult.) Help prepare food, serve and clean-up evening meals for the needy.

Community Energy Project. 503 284-6827. Become an Energy Conservation Crew member installing energy-saving materials in homes of senior citizens and the disabled. (http://www.communityenergyproject.org/)