Keizer Chamber of Commerce

Volunteering for Youth
Positive adult role models play an important part in helping youth grow into responsible adults. The Chamber has underway programs to support the youth in our community through our Ready to Learn, Ready to Work project as well as other volunteer efforts.

Employers and teachers share their positive experiences:

“Today was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time…. I was worried at first about talking for 45 minutes but the kids asked so many good questions that I could have done 2 hours. I think that I made a difference today.” Mica S. Working Oregon State Penitentiary Department of Corrections.

“…Just wanted to say a GIANT thank you for organizing the mock interviews for my students. They went great!! The only hitch was that we ran out of time – most students were chomping at the bit to do MORE interviews!! The interviewers were universally kind and had helpful spirits. That’s always appreciated, especially when students are young and have never worked, much less interviewed…. I would love to make this a regular thing!” Carol Ensey, Teacher McNary High School

Brief descriptions of each Keizer Chamber effort are listed below:

Ready to Learn Ready to Work: This project is coordinated through efforts of the Salem and Keizer Chamber of Commerce and Salem Keizer School District. Employers, students, and teacher can learn more about school to work connections through job shadows, internships, guest speakers, mentoring and more. Volunteers may learn more about and/or sign up for Ready to Learn Ready to Work by clicking on this button:

Elementary School Volunteer: The Keizer Chamber partners with SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) to deliver proven literacy support to K-3 children. Teachers recommend students for participation in the program, which complements the school’s curriculum.
Local SMART Coordinators recruit and train community volunteers to read once a week from October to May with two children. The consistent, one-on-one relationship gives children the attention, self-confidence, and skills to succeed in school and beyond. SMART further encourages children to read outside the classroom by giving them new books each month.
Volunteers may learn more about and/or sign up for SMART by clicking on this button:

School Improvement Project: An occasional areas of needs occur within our Keizer Elementary Schools. A Keizer School Project Notebook is available for elementary school teachers and administration to update with requests. Businesses wishing to assist may contact the Chamber for a current list.

Middle School Volunteer: In support of McNary High School’s program “Keizer Engineering and Science Pathway” volunteers are needed to judge an Invention Contest for grades 6 and 7.Class room speakers are also needed with expertise in Engineering and Applied Science. This program is designed to create an integrated pre-engineering and applied science pathway in Keizer beginning with 6th grade, extending through high school, and connecting with Oregon universities and community colleges. Project Lead the Way, a nationally recognized STEM program, provides the curriculum and teacher training. Recruitment activities are designed to draw on underrepresented populations. Volunteers wishing to be involved in this program may contact the Keizer Chamber of Commerce at 503-393-9111

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