Interested in taking action to uplift our community through volunteer work? Allow me to pique your interest with the variety of opportunities offered by the City of Tualatin. 

If you happen to be looking for a long-term way to make an impact on the city, it is not a bad idea to consider joining an advisory board as a student representative, or even the Youth Advisory Council, where students in grades 8-12 can submit an application. Likewise, the Teen Library Committee also gives students opportunities to serve on their board. 

If you are captivated by playing an important role in the process of holding a successful city-wide event, don’t be afraid to sign up and volunteer for the Blender Dash in June, Viva Tualatin in July or the West Coast Pumpkin Regatta in October. (See Tualatin website for exact dates.)

“One can easily volunteer through our public library, which helps with having a good work ethic.The second best is TEAM, where youth can help revive or improve the public parks around the city while learning some really fun games,” said freshman Kaiden Edwards.

Something that might keep students from volunteering is the idea that it takes up valuable time.

“I think the biggest misconception about volunteering is that it takes up a lot of your time.

Since most volunteering opportunities are on the weekends, it’s not uncommon for people to think it’ll take up a lot of their weekend when, in reality, most volunteering gigs are only about two hours,” said sophomore Keziah Ocholi, who also volunteers regularly.

From signing up patrons for summer reading at the Tualatin Public Library to jumpscaring runners while wearing zombie attire and face paint at the city-wide Blender Dash, there are a plethora of ways to volunteer your time in a meaningful way with the City of Tualatin.

For additional information, be sure to check out the advisory board and volunteer section of Tualatin’s official city website, or email the city’s Volunteer Program Manager, Jackie Konen, at [email protected].