Volunteering and Internships

How to Become a Volunteer

Start by filling out the online application at the top of this page. Volunteers at OYA must:

Be at least 21 years old
Go through a criminal history check
Go through a child abuse/neglect history check

Conviction of an offense will not necessarily exclude you from serving as a volunteer. If you refuse to disclose a conviction or submit to a criminal records check, however, you will be disqualified from consideration.

After you submit the application, someone from OYA will reach out to you. If you haven't heard from anyone and want to check on the status of your application, please contact the facility Volunteer Coordinator or Anissa Gonzalez (anissa.gonzalez@oya.oregon.gov).

Approved contractors at OYA must adhere to the same requirements listed above for volunteers.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities

Mentors offer teens and young men and women positive relationships with responsible adults.

Academic progress correlates directly with lowered recidivism rates. Many OYA youth in facilities and in community settings can benefit from one-on-one help in basic academic subjects.

Volunteers are OYA’s primary resource for providing a variety of spiritual and religious services and study groups for youth in close-custody facilities.

Volunteers can provide youth with practical advice and information that enhances their ability to successfully navigate life once they return to the community.

Volunteer businesses can provide a step up to OYA youth, offering internships or jobs for the short or long term. Maintaining employment significantly helps OYA youth lead productive, crime-free lives.

Volunteer groups can sponsor living units of 25 youth by providing holiday celebrations and recognition of youth birthdays and special events such as graduations.

Volunteers currently support many work experience programs at OYA facilities. These programs teach important job skills, good work habits, and responsibility.

Volunteers lead or participate in many of the culture-specific events and programs in OYA facilities. Examples include Native American pow wows and beading groups, Latino leadership organizations, African American heritage events and mentoring, and LGBTQ+ Pride events.

To learn more about cultural-related volunteer opportunities, OYA's Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations at Samantha.Batista@oya.oregon.gov or 503-680-6164.

If you are interested in giving a one-time presentation at an OYA facility:

Contact the facility directly. They will let you know the process for setting up a presentation.
Approval is required from facility administrators

Internships and Practicums

OYA offers a limited number of practicum and internship opportunities for college students interested in the fields of psychology, sociology, criminal justice, youth treatment, youth reformation, or youth development.

Interns and practicum students get the chance to gain practical experience in the areas of intercultural relations, mental health, addictions, academic support, and life enrichment groups.

Please note: The number of internship or practicum opportunities at OYA is very small.

OYA practicum or internship candidates must: