Volunteer Spotlight:
Marlena

Almost two years ago, Transition Projects launched a new volunteer position at the Resource Center: Hygiene Desk Assistant. We now have 18 Hygiene Desk volunteers assisting throughout the week ensuring individuals living unsheltered have access to toilets, showers, hygiene items, clothing, and laundry services. Volunteer assistance enables our Resource Center staff to focus on addressing individual participants’ immediate needs. This past fiscal year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025), the Resource Center served 6,324 individuals providing over 51,000 services! Thank you to our incredible volunteers who helped make this happen!

Let’s hear from Marlena, one of our longest serving Hygiene Desk volunteers:

How did you learn about Transition Projects and first get involved?
Working as a health assistant at Central City Concern’s Blackburn Center, I was curious what community resources were available for our patients; in my research I came across Transition Projects. I also met many patients who had spent time in their shelters and working with their case managers. I wanted to be a part of this and be able to connect people to other meaningful resources within the Portland community.

What keeps you volunteering with Transition Projects?
The people! Being able to connect with those in the community and have simple humanizing interactions is so meaningful and allows me to see the true resilience of our friends and neighbors. Additionally, the staff at the Resource Center are so kind and encouraging and have made me feel incredibly welcome and appreciated. They have all taught me many things about human connection and service that I will be able to carry with me as I go about the world. 

Do you have a favorite moment or memory you'd like to share?
Recently when leaving a shift at the Resource Center, a participant stopped me at the crosswalk and expressed his gratitude for the work we are doing and the support and warmth we show to him. He said that we probably don’t hear this enough and that the work we are doing is truly life changing. It’s moments like this that really affirm why I want to be a part of this organization supporting all who need it.