Welcome Page

OregonServes promotes and enhances the culture of service, volunteerism, and civic engagement across communities throughout Oregon. OregonServes is an entity of the State of Oregon, housed within the Office of Workforce Investments (OWI), within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).

As the state service commission, OregonServes devotes its efforts to:

Establishing and implementing a statewide vision for volunteerism, national service, and civic engagement.
Promoting initiatives for expansion of service opportunities and impacts.
Introducing policy and supporting legislation that furthers the Commission’s service goals.
Acting as a central hub for the national service network in the state and administering funding to AmeriCorps State programs to make impactful contributions in local communities.
Championing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in Oregon’s service and volunteer opportunities.
Coordinating national and community service resources to ensure communities are equipped to prepare, respond, and recover from disaster.
From youth to adult, promoting activities that instill a lifelong commitment to service, and lead to personal, educational, and career achievements.

Mission

We advance volunteerism, service, and civic engagement to enrich lives and strengthen Oregon communities.

Vision

Engaged individuals, empowered communities, and an equitable Oregon.

Values

Impactful: We engage individuals in purpose-driven service.

Innovative: We commit to continuous learning and creative solutions.

Collaborative: We build relationships that strengthen Oregon communities.

Inclusive: We elevate equity, diversity, and belonging.

History

OregonServes – originally named Oregon Volunteers – was formed in 1994 as part of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which says that state commissions must exist for a state to apply and accept national service grants. Per the Act, a State Service Commission is a bipartisan or nonpartisan state entity, consisting of 15–25 members appointed by the Governor of the state. The state commission develops a comprehensive national service plan, assembles applications for funding, approves national service positions, and administers national service and volunteer programs in the state. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

OregonServes is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work. OregonServes applies guidance from:

OregonServes supports and works under the State of Oregon’s Vision for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which strives to:

Dismantle institutional and structural racism in Oregon state government, and by doing so, have resounding impacts on the communities of our great state.
Build a more equitable Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and everyone’s voice is heard.
Ensure an inclusive and welcoming Oregon for all by celebrating our collective diversity of race, ethnicity, culture, color, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and immigration status.