Culturally Specific Organizations
Note: the below are not necessarily eligible for off-campus Federal Work Study. Please find FWS eligible opportunities here.
Africa House (an IRCO program)
Since its establishment in 2006, IRCO Africa House has grown to serve more than 5,000 community members from 22 ethnic and cultural backgrounds each year and is staffed by a multicultural team representing 17 ethnicities and speaking 10 languages. We are proud to celebrate 10 years of serving our African communities! Africa House is the only culturally and linguistically specific one stop center targeting the increasingly diverse and rapidly growing number of African immigrants and refugees living in Oregon. Receiving national attention for moving beyond intercultural strife to be the only center serving Africans from every country in the continent, Africa House is led by an advisory board of cross-cultural community leaders and staffed by a multicultural, multilingual team.
Address: 631 NE 102nd Ave. Portland, OR 97220
Phone: 503-802-0082
Asian Family Center (an IRCO program)
Established in 1994, IRCO Asian Family Center (AFC) was the very first culturally and linguistically specific one stop community center focused on the diverse needs of Asians and Pacific Islanders. Guided by an advisory board and multilingual multicultural staff, AFC ensures that its services reflect our local Asian and Pacific Islander (API) cultures. AFC's mission is to provide and promote culturally relevant services to API families and to contribute rich cultural values and unique experiences that enhance the overall quality of community life.
Address: 8040 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-235-9396
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO)
The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is a statewide, grassroots organization, uniting Asians and Pacific Islanders to achieve social justice. We use our collective strengths to advance equity through empowering, organizing and advocating with our communities. APANO sends regular emails about campaigns, organizational updates, events, activities, and involvement opportunities. Subscribe to these updates here.
Address: 2788 Southeast 82nd Avenue, Suite 203, Portland, Oregon 97266
Phone: 971-340-4861
Black Lives Matter PDX
This is local chapter of the Official #BlackLivesMatter Organization founded by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza. #BlackLivesMatter is an online forum intended to build connections between Black people and our allies to fight anti-Black racism, to spark dialogue among Black people, and to facilitate the types of connections necessary to encourage social action and engagement.
CAUSA (Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization)
Causa works to improve the lives of Latino immigrants and their families in Oregon through advocacy, coalition building, leadership development, and civic engagement. Latino immigrants and their families are the heart of Causa and inspire, implement, and champion our work. Get involved in CAUSA's work here!
Address: 700 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-409-2473 or 855-884-2287
Coalition of Communities of Color
The Coalition of Communities of Color's mission is to address the socioeconomic disparities, institutional racism, and inequity of services experienced by our families, children and communities; and to organize our communities for collective action resulting in social change to obtain self-determination, wellness, justice and prosperity. Learn more about how to get involved here.
Address: 221 NW 2nd Avenue, Suite 303, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 503-200-5722
Latino Network
Latino Network provides opportunities, services and advocacy for the education, leadership development and civic engagement of Latino youth and families in Multnomah County. Their work springs from the core belief in Latino community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families.
NAACP Portland
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Locally, the Portland NAACP is focusing its efforts on economic equity, police accountability, and leadership development. NAACP Portland believes that when everyone is treated well and justly, all people benefit. Your NAACP leadership in Portland includes the following committees: Criminal Justic, Legal Redress, The Freedom Fund, Economic Development, Youth Council and Youth Leadership. NAACP Portland will provide more details and contact information as these committees develop their missions. For now, contact the NAACP secretary if you are interested in volunteering.
Phone: 503-928-6723
Russian Oregon Social Services (ROSS)
The Russian Oregon Social Services (ROSS) was established by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon in 1994 to serve the needs of the more than 100,000 Russian-speaking refugees and immigrants that reside in the Portland metro area. Through strong partnerships with Russian-speaking communities, local social services agencies, victim service/healthcare providers and government agencies, ROSS works to provide services that increase independence, enable economic self-sufficiency, and improve mental and physical well-being. They are currently the only agency that works exclusively with the large Russian-speaking population in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Marion Counties in Oregon. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here, or contact the ROSS Program Manager.
Address: 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202
Phone: 503-777-3437