Natural Helpers

Program Overview

Program Overview

Natural Helpers is an intensive and immersive fellowship where fellows will connect deeply with resources in the greater Portland area. Fellows will receive 8 full days of leadership training.

During the training participants will learn in detail about the community resources available in Portland. Participants will make connections with other community and organizational leaders with whom they can share challenges, experiences, and best practices.

Each Natural Helper Fellow receives education, career advancement opportunities, and stable social networking that results in economic mobility, educational credentials and a mayoral certificate.

The 2025 Natural Helpers Program consists of: 

  • 8 Full day sessions, occurring on bi-weekly Saturdays for 8 hours.

  • 8 volunteer hours within Workforce and Community Development

  • Attending at least one networking activity

  • Engaging in an immersive activity (like downhill skiing!)

Each participant spends at minimum 57 hours in the program. This does not include extracurriculars they choose to take on or one-on-one mentorship. During the session Fellows will network with over 50+ community partners, CBO’s, Government Agencies and private businesses.

Fellowship Details

  • Applications and nominations open: November 2025

    Applications close: December 2025

    Interviews: December 2025

    Final selection of cohort: January 2026

    Dates of training: February- May 2026

    Graduation: May 2026

    All trainings are currently scheduled to take place at City Hall (389 Congress St.), however there will be some alternate sites. Sites will be provided to selected cohort.

  • We understand that your time is valuable, we also understand that to participate will be an additional task on top of the leadership each fellow provides to the community. Because of this, Natural Helpers program will provide the following stipends:

    Childcare Stipend- Childcare Stipend will be provided for Fellows with families .

    Transportation- Transportation Stipend for Fellows.

    Fellowship Stipend- All Fellows will receive a stipend for participation. First payment at the midpoint of the program and last payment at the end.

    We will provide Free breakfast and lunch.

    Group network final dinner + graduation dinner.

    We will provide Mentorship through various sources.

    Access to Organization Leaders/ Networks across Portland.

    Immersive experience with organizations from various sectors

    OEO + NH Swag and clothing gear.

    We will provide a Mayoral NH certificate, USM educational certificate and credentialing.

  • How do you connect the dots?

    There are countless resources available to Portlanders, and this session seeks to educate you on knowing what these specific resources are, where to find them, and how to access them so you can guide your fellow community members in doing the same. Community organizations and services will be presenting on what they have to offer and how to access their essential services. Some topics include accessing legal services, the Metro, recreation, enrolling in school and healthcare, and more. During these sessions, Natural Helpers will also have the chance to apply what they have learned by analyzing several case studies and making appropriate references to services that could help in each unique scenario.

    How can you problem solve through leadership skills?

    You will likely encounter (and probably already have encountered) a diverse set of situations and problems varying in scope. This session will focus on how to develop leadership skills to provide Natural Helpers with the means and knowledge to assess and deal with the situation at hand in the most professional, effective, and sensitive way.