Volunteer Opportunties

Volunteering opportunities need to be sought in human services agencies that focus on addressing the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.

Overview of Selections Process

  1. Contact agency and ask for volunteer coordinator.
  2. Identify that you are a student KU and that this is a requirement for class.
  3. Determine if agency timeline and needs are realistic for you to obtain 20 hours by end of November.

Agency Listing by Type of Program

Linkages to Volunteer Opportunities

KU Center for Community Outreach: KU Center focused on helping KU students engage into service opportunities within the Lawrence Community.

Roger Hill Volunteer Center: Social services organization in Lawrence, Kansas that can help students connect to a variety of organizations funded by United Way.

Homeless Services

Family Promise: Provides services to families who are experiencing homelessness.

Jubilee Cafe: Provides breakfast for in-need community members in a restaurant-style environment. The program runs from 5:30AM to approximately 8:15AM Tuesday and Friday mornings at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street.

Lawrence Community Shelter: Homeless Shelter

In-Kind Economic Assistance: Food Pantry, Home Goods, Child Care, etc.

Penn House: Day Care Center in Lawrence, Kansas

Campus Cupboard: Partners with Just Food and the Lutheran Campus Ministries (LCM) to operate the Campus Cupboard, a food pantry open to all KU students and the Lawrence community members.

Eckan Inc.: Social services organization in Lawrence, Kansas

  • Address: 2518 Ridge Ct #103, Lawrence, KS 66046
  • Eckan Inc website
  • Telephone: (785) 841-3357

Just Food: Food pantry services.

Lawrence Diploma Completion Program: Adult learning center run by Lawrence Public Schools

L.I.N.K.: Provide hot meals to those in need.

Meals on Wheels: Social Services Organization providing meals to individuals who are homebound.

Penn House: Emergency Economic Resource Center in Lawrence, Kansas

Uplift: Social services organization in Kansas City, Missouri serving the homeless population.

Community Organization/Activism Kansas

Appleseed: Non-profit organization in Lawrence, Kansas

  • Address: 211 E 8th St Suite D, Lawrence, KS 66044
  • Appleseed website
  • Telephone: (785) 864-9294

Success By 6: As a United Way effort, Success by 6 of Douglas County is leading a local collaboration named the Strengthening Families Network to provide community-wide services for early childhood parenting assistance and training to improve school readiness and parent-child relationships.

Concerned Active & Aware Students (CAAS): Develops advocacy programs, events, and activities to raise awareness of issues facing KU, Lawrence, and global communities.

Children & Youth

Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence: After-school programming for elementary age children. The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence’s aim is to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Each volunteer provides group support, guidance and friendship to our young members in a group setting at our Club sites or at a special event.

KVC: Child Welfare Agency

Tiny-K Early Intervention Inc.: Early Intervention Services in Lawrence, Kansas

Operation Breakthrough: Peer Tutoring Opportunities

Older Adults

Helping Unite Generations (HUG): Establishes relationships with older members of the community. HUG visits local retirement homes weekly with volunteers to build inter-generational relationships through activities with residents such as crafts, community dances and playing games. HUG coordinates several special programs throughout the semester to pair service groups and classes at KU to connect with older members of the community. Current opportunities include volunteering with Senior Wheels, Meadowlark Estates, Neuvant House, Pioneer Ridge, and a Friendly Visitors Program through Catholic Charities.

Interim Hospice: Volunteers provide companionship to a person in the final months or weeks of life, supporting family members, providing assistance in the office or helping with community outreach. Serving people at the end of life’s journey allows hospice volunteers to make a difference every day.

Meals on Wheels: Social Services Organization providing meals to individuals who are homebound.

Disabilities

Ability Advocates: Works with and strives to empower people with disabilities. This program volunteers as Peer Mentors with KU Transition to Postsecondary Education & Independence Inc., a resource in Lawrence that works to maximize the independence of people with disabilities.

Best Buddies: The mission of Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Midnight Farm: Offers opportunities for country living, work, and recreation for kids and adults with special needs.

Social Service/Health Organizations (May Require Commitment > 20 Hrs)

Centro Hispano: Social services organization in Lawrence, Kansas serving the Spanish-speaking community.

Children’s Mercy: Children’s hospital with multiple opportunities in different locations, both inpatient and outpatient.

DCCCA Lawrence Outpatient Services: Addiction Treatment Center with internships & some volunteer opportunities.

  • Address: 1739 East 23rd Street Lawrence, KS 66046
  • DCCA website
  • Telephone: (785) 830-8238

Heartland: Local hospital with health care volunteer opportunities.

KC CARE Clinic: Mental Health, HIV patients, pediatrics, and many other health care opportunities

Jewish Vocational Service: Services in Overland Park, Kansas providing resources & support for refugees.

Commitments Requiring Intensive Training & > 20 Hr Volunteer Commitment

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Youth organization in Lawrence, Kansas providing long-term youth mentoring commitments.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Volunteers trained to advocate for children who have been abused and neglected and are under the protection of the court.

  • Address: 1009 New Hampshire St # B, Lawrence, KS 66044
  • CASA website
  • Telephone: (785) 832-5172

Headquarters: Counselor in Lawrence, Kansas

SAFEHOME: Agency serving survivors of domestic violence.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center: KU center focused on educating the campus community on the issue of sexual violence.

Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center: Non-Profit Organization serving survivors of sexual violence.

Willow Domestic Violence Center: Agency serving survivors of domestic violence in Lawrence, Kansas

 

* This list is not exhaustive of all opportunities in the Douglas County or KC Metropolitan area. The purpose of this list is to get you started with some ideas of who to contact. Please feel free to volunteer at organizations serving high-risk human populations that are not listed in this document. Compiled by Dr. Nancy Kepple 3-6-19