Volunteers of America Oregon is a non-profit health and human services organization that provides residential, home-based, and outpatient substance use disorder treatment and recovery supports. The Speakers Bureau exists to bring authentic lived experience into schools in a way that inspires hope, encourages healthy decision-making, and reminds students that one difficult chapter does not define an entire life.
Volunteers of America Oregon (VOA) provides speakers to your classroom who can tell their story of addiction, how it has affected their lives, and their journey to recovery. The Speakers Bureau exists to bring authentic lived experience into schools in a way that inspires hope, encourages healthy decision-making, and reminds students that one difficult chapter does not define an entire life.
Every Speakers Bureau presentation is delivered with professionalism, respect, and a trauma-informed approach. We are committed to sharing our stories honestly while protecting the emotional safety of students, respecting the privacy of others, and leaving every audience with practical lessons and hope for the future.
We love any opportunity to visit schools and see students demonstrate great insight through their questions. Clients have also shared that doing anything to prevent others from choosing a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, is both empowering and helps them continue to make clean and sober choices.
If your school or class would like to host a Speakers Bureau event or would like more information, please contact Volunteer Director Camille McDaniel at (503) 595-2009.