Diversity & Inclusion
- LGBTQ Awareness: Widely applicable handouts from the August ’13 training “Promoting Inclusion: Best Practices for Substance-Dependent LGBTQ Clients”
- Autism Awareness: Blog by the mother of Alex Irvin, Thrift It volunteer, on her experiences raising and advocating for a son with autism.
- Think Racial Profiling is Exaggerated? (4-minute video)
- White Privilege-Unpacking the Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
- A Gardeners Tale by Camara Jones (classic article on understanding institutionalized racism)
- Communicating Effectively Across Differences: Diversity & Inclusion blog by Susana Rinderle
- Blind Spot by Banaji (diversity)
Communication
- Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PH.D.
- Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, et al.
- How to Reduce Workplace Conflict & Stress by Anna Maravelas
- Conscious Communication: A Language of Connection by Miles Sherts
Self-Care
- Trauma Stewardship by Laura Van Der Lipsky. Sarah Wolff, Volunteer Coordinator with Home Free, says, “It is an everyday guide for caring for self while caring for others. “
Children & Youth
- “A High School Diploma May not Close the Wounds” by Oregonian columnist Steve Duin, after attending VOA’s Al Forthan Scholarship awards ceremony.
- Boys Adrift: The Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys by Leonard Sax
- The Male Box: A Journey into a Deeper Understanding of Boys & Men by Dennis Morrow (4-part video available on loan from Volunteer Services)
- Early Childhood Development – Infants and Wobblers created by FRN intern Lily Waldman.
- Topic and Activity Toolkits for parents, recommended by Sarah Wolff from Home Free.
Domestic Violence
- DV Info: A selection of general handouts from the 40-hour Advocate Training regarding power & control, types of abuse, and how to support a survivor.
Elders
- Dementia: Thanks for recommending this great article, Steve!
Have a great book, article, or short-video you want to share? Reply below or contact me, Kelsey, at Volunteer Services, and we’ll add it to the list!
VOA Volunteer Bridge 
The most significant thing I took out of this was our role in the lives of the kids to be: relational, relevant, repetitive, rewarding, rhythmic, and respectful. We can’t change where they’ve come from and what they’ve experienced, but we can focus our efforts on loving them and creating a space where those six elements are present.