A time for reflection

Summer is a great time to stop for a moment and think about the part of the year that’s just passed, as well as the rest of the year to come. It has been an especially busy year thus far, serving the largest patient census in the history of the organization. I am proud to say that we currently have as strong a volunteer team as we’ve ever had, meeting more patient needs than ever, and assisting our staff in ways we’ve never done previously. It isn’t the most volunteers we’ve ever had (we still are not fully rebuilt to our pre-pandemic levels), but perhaps as active and dedicated a volunteer team as Housecall Providers has ever seen. I remain honored to work with the best of the best.

Thinking back on the beginning of the year, a few memories flood back:

• More than a dozen new volunteers trained
• A successful audit from our CHAP accreditation surveyors
• An amazing in-service training with Chaplain Dean Yamamoto, attended by 30+ volunteers and staff members
• A beautiful volunteer appreciation dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory on Portland’s scenic waterfront
• More than 25 local nonprofits and 200 community members, Housecall Providers staff members, and volunteers coming together for our “Toss for a Cause” event at Sellwood Park

Looking forward, we plan to:

• Launch a Housecall Providers “Pet Peace of Mind” program, assisting our patients and caregivers in meeting their pet’s needs
• Establish a tuck-in call program, assuring that patients and caregivers have everything required to get through the weekends
• Participate in Housecall Providers’ annual memorial event to be held on September 12, 2024

Of course, there will be other surprises and new opportunities that arise. That’s just part of this work. But one thing you can count on is that our volunteers will be present and making invaluable contributions to just about every aspect of our work.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Todd Lawrence at volunteers@housecallproviders.org or 971-202-5515.