I recently joined Hands on Greater Portland as the Volunteer Services Coordinator and I’m very excited to embark on this new endeavor!

My volunteer experience has spanned two coasts; as a native of New Jersey I cultivated my love of volunteering in high school by beginning a club walking dogs for the Humane Society (adopting a puppy of my own, of course).  Since relocating to Portland, I have worked as a volunteer with various non-profits over the last three years, primarily with Senior Citizens. 

When I’m not working at Hands On, I’m chipping away at my Master’s Degree and taking time to enjoy the city.  I love reading, cooking, traveling, and adding to my collection of Paul Newman movies.                

Having just completed my undergraduate degree in May 2007, I couldn’t have hoped for a better post-graduation position! I am excited to be on board with Hands On as the new Partner Services Coordinator, and look forward to working with the many fabulous nonprofit organizations across the greater Portland area in the months to come.

My involvement in volunteerism dates back to age eight, at which point I began to offer enthusiastic assistance to annual living room mailing parties for my mom’s music-for-healing nonprofit organization. I eventually branched out on my own a few years later, beginning a stint as an official cat-petter for the local Humane Society. Upon graduation from high school, I chose to leave my Bay Area abode, trading California’s golden hills for the lush green of Oregon to pursue a bachelor’s in Psychology at Lewis & Clark College. Since then, I’ve have been involved in a variety of local volunteer efforts, mainly focused in the areas of service-learning, education, and AIDS/HIV awareness. It was through this involvement that I came to realize my desire to make a career out of service.

In the off hours, I greatly enjoy dancing (old-style Irish Sean Nós dance is my current focus), cooking, connecting with people, couchsurfing, sleeping in, and reminiscing about the divine qualities of French wine, cheese, and Alsatian sausage.

Meet Rachel Rappaport . . .                           

After volunteering with Hands on Greater Portland over the last few years, I am excited to now be working with the organization on a full-time basis. I have been passionate about Hands On since I began participating in projects during high school, and I am grateful that an opportunity became available to work with the organization through AmeriCorps.

I moved back to the Portland area after graduating from the University of Oregon in 2005 with a degree in psychology. Because of my allegiance to the Ducks, I can often be found in front of a big-screen TV during their football and basketball seasons.

I have been living and working full-time in Washington County since finishing school and, as the Washington County Coordinator throughout the upcoming year, I hope to spread the passion that I have acquired for volunteering and Hands On.