Newberg Together: YOOP!

Written by Newberg resident Hanna Laney.

Editor’s Note: We’ve been trying to get something like this going at Newsberg almost since we started, and wouldn’t you know it—resident Hanna Laney, who works in the nonprofit space, offered her writing skills and expertise to help shine a light on the local nonprofits trying to make our community a better place while highlighting volunteer opportunities. We’ll try and keep this column going monthly. Got a nonprofit you’d like to see covered? Send a message and we’ll add it to the list for future coverage.

Ask folks around town and they will tell you: Newberg is a special place. Our small but mighty community is home to many nonprofit and charitable organizations working towards a better tomorrow in the Camellia City.

Newberg Together aims to highlight these organizations and their volunteer needs.

This week, we are featuring YOOP! (Youth Opportunity Program).

Organization Name: YOOP! (Youth Opportunity Program)

Location: Newberg Skill Center, 100 E 5th St., Newberg, Oregon 97132

Mission: YOOP! is a program of Chehalem Youth and Family Services that provides education and vocational opportunities for young adults (aged 16-24) in Yamhill County. With offices in Newberg and McMinnville, YOOP! provides many services to help young people overcome barriers to education or employment.

Serving the Community: Charlie Rice and Ruth Stokesbary run YOOP!’s Newberg Skill Center, where young adults learn the skills necessary to join the workforce, earn a G.E.D., pursue higher education, receive mentorship, and build their future.

Their programming, tutoring, and mentorship programs meet young people where they’re at and equip them with practical skills and guidance to better their lives through education and employment. The young people that YOOP! serve have experienced barriers such as: dropping out, homelessness, being a teen parent, having a criminal history, being a current or former foster child, poverty, learning disabilities, or being a refugee.

How Can I Help?: YOOP! can use volunteers in a variety of ways at the Newberg Skill Center:

• Math tutoring: YOOP! is in dire need of more math tutors. According to Ruth Stokesbary, the math portion of the G.E.D. poses the greatest challenge to the young people they serve and having tutors who can help build foundational math competency is a big need. Tutors don’t need to have formal education experience or be math experts. All tutors and mentors must undergo a background check before beginning as a volunteer.
• Writing skills tutoring: tutors who can help bolster writing skills are also in short supply. Tutors will be helping young people become better writers as they build resumes, write cover letters, apply for higher education opportunities, and take the G.E.D. exam.
• Youth mentoring: looking for a longer-term commitment as a volunteer in our community? Youth mentors agree to a year of working with a YOOP! participant as a safe, consistent, caring adult to walk alongside them. Mentorship depends on the needs of the youth, but can include tutoring, skill building, and providing general life guidance. Mentors are matched with mentees through a process of exploring shared interests, goals, and experience.
• Onsite facilities and events: the YOOP! building is a busy place providing many services. Folks looking for an occasional volunteer opportunity to help with landscaping, sanitizing, cleaning, or other general facilities maintenance can know their time is well-spent helping to maintain and beautify this special community hub. Volunteers are also needed to help with fundraising and holiday events.

To learn more: You can learn more at http://www.myyoop.org, filling out a volunteer application, or by contacting Ruth Stokesbary (Chief Administrative Officer) at rstokesbary@cyfs.net or by phone at 503-538-4874 ext. 4.