Volunteer
AFO connects and convenes design and building professionals, students, educators, and community members through design-based programming, events, and volunteerism. Our ability to successfully serve Oregonians of all ages and backgrounds relies heavily on our dedicated and passionate volunteer network.
We are always seeking more volunteers from the design and building industry to meet the needs of our programming and the needs of our partner organizations across Oregon. Volunteers are at the core of what makes AFO thrive. We invite you to join our efforts!
Volunteering Goals
- Encourage more design/building professionals to be actively engaged in the communities they design and build for
- Connect design/building professionals with students and educators to increase youth access to design education
- Meet the teacher demand for our Architects in Schools program by recruiting enough design/building professional volunteers to serve every school that applies each year
- Amplify volunteer opportunities offered by partner organizations and education institutions across Oregon
- Ensure all volunteers are receiving ongoing training on cultural competency by offering annual Trauma-Informed Practices Workshops led by Dr. Renee Mitchell
Subscribe to our volunteer email list to get notified when AFO volunteer opportunities open.
Architects in Schools
Architects in Schools (AiS) matches volunteer design and building professionals with elementary school teachers to provide free design education for youth. Our school-year program and summer camp creates lifelong learners and critical thinkers who have a greater understanding of their environment and its impact on people’s lives. Learn more.
Volunteer for our school-year program: Sign up ASAP for the 2023-24 school year
Volunteer for our virtual summer camp: Sign ups open open in May
Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)
DAO-G meets quarterly with the mission of increasing student access to architecture, engineering, construction, and design fields in the state of Oregon. As a group of local partners who are aligned around this shared mission, DAO-G meetings are a time for us to harness this network to share opportunities for students, volunteer needs, resources, outreach efforts, and more.
Join DAO-G: Accepting sign ups on a rolling basis
Formation: The Design Mentorship Collaborative
In partnership with Diversity in Design and COMMA, Formation is a paid mentorship program for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) college juniors and seniors studying design. Students are paired with established BIPOC design professionals to build relationships and their professional network so they can thrive in the design industry once they’ve graduated. Learn more.
Sign up to become a mentor: More information to come for the 2024-25 school year
Honored Citizen
Our signature event of the year brings the broader architecture community together for one night to honor the contributions of our selected Honored Citizen and support our mission. Volunteers help ensure the success of our 500+ person celebration and receive free admission to the event. Learn more.
Sign up to volunteer: Sign ups open in September for the October event
AFO Community Events Calendar
In Pursuit of an Equitable Workplace
PAE Living Building 151 SW 1st Ave, Portland, Oregon, United StatesFirms are striving for equity and inclusion in the workplace for many reasons: to ensure a sense of belonging for their employees, to attract talent that expands the firm's offerings, … Continue reading "In Pursuit of an Equitable Workplace"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – Downtown PDX
You are invited to a First Thursday event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in the Portland Metro area! This is our culminating event of … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – Downtown PDX"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – PCC Rock Creek Library
PCC Rock Creek Library Building 9, 17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland, OregonYou are invited to an event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in the Portland Metro area! This is our culminating event of the season, … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – PCC Rock Creek Library"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – Multnomah County Library, Rockwood Branch
Multnomah County Library, Rockwood Branch 17917 SE Stark St, Portland, OregonYou are invited to an event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in the Portland Metro area! This is our culminating event of the season, … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – Multnomah County Library, Rockwood Branch"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – OMSI
OMSI 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OregonYou are invited to an event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in the Portland Metro area! This is our culminating event of the season, … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – OMSI"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – Gordon House
Gordon House 869 W Main St, Silverton, OR, United StatesYou are invited to an event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in the Salem area! This is our culminating event of the season, where … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – Gordon House"
Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)
The Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G) meets quarterly with the mission of increasing student access to architecture, engineering, construction, and design (AECD) fields in the state of Oregon. As a … Continue reading "Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)"
Architects in Schools Exhibit – Bend Tower Theatre
Tower Theatre 835 NW Wall St, Bend, OregonYou are invited to an event celebrating the hard work of our 2023-24 Architects in Schools students in Central Oregon! This is our culminating event of the season, where participating … Continue reading "Architects in Schools Exhibit – Bend Tower Theatre"
Trauma Workshop (3 of 3) with Renee Mitchell
Workshop 3 of 3* Tuesday, June 11, 4:00-6:00pm, Zoom The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) centers education and access for youth at the heart of our programming. We are excited … Continue reading "Trauma Workshop (3 of 3) with Renee Mitchell"
Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)
The Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G) meets quarterly with the mission of increasing student access to architecture, engineering, construction, and design (AECD) fields in the state of Oregon. As a … Continue reading "Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G)"
Questions?
Contact:
Candice Agahan
Education Program Manager
candice@af-oregon.org
503-542-3823