PORT TOWNSEND — Taking inspiration from the standard job fair format, a volunteer fair meant to connect people who have time and skills with the nonprofits in need of those skills will host its second annual event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
“There are a lot of people who have skill sets they can share to make Jefferson County a better place to live,” said Boiler Room Executive Director Amy Smith.
“A good way to do this is by volunteering.”
The second annual Engaging Our Community: Volunteer and Mentoring Fair, sponsored by the Jefferson Community Network, will be at the Mountain View Commons, 1925 Blaine St.
Eighteen organizations seeking volunteers will be there to recruit.
Among them will be the Dove House, KPTZ-FM, the COAST Winter Shelter, Habitat for Humanity and the Boiler Room.
“Last year, one of the organizations got enough volunteers in the first hour to make it worthwhile for them,” Smith said.
“At the Boiler Room, we were able to recruit a new board member, which represents the highest point of volunteer commitment.”
The Boiler Room is an all-ages facility at 711 Water St., in Port Townsend, that is intended to provide a meeting place as well as vocational training and volunteer opportunities for community members.
Smith said people who have no marketable job experience can volunteer in order to get their foot in the door at an organization or learn new skills.
“The best way to get a job is if you already have a job,” she said.
“At the Boiler Room, we can teach someone how to make coffee or run a cash register.
“We can write them references, and they can use those skills to get a job somewhere else.”
Retirees can participate as mentors, teaching marketable skills to someone changing careers or just starting out.
“There are people in Jefferson County who have spent a lifetime learning different skills who want to share them,” Smith said.
“If you have the time and a skill set that you can use to benefit other people, it can make you feel good and make them feel good.”
For more information, phone 360-301-2238, email adean@jeffersoncountycommunitynetwork.org or visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-vfair.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
