CCO's Organizations

Best Buddies pairs KU students with local high school graduates who have developmental disabilities in order to provide friendship and educational opportunities. Recruitment for volunteers occurs only at the beginning of the Fall semester.

Volunteers serve community agencies and populations by providing services focused on art, theater, music, and dance. Weekly sessions at the Ballard Community Center work on art related projects with preschool-age children.

CAAS advocates for issues ranging from hunger and homelessness to environmental policy through service projects, educational events, and publications. If you have a project that you think deserves attention or want to start a volunteer initiative, contact the CAAS coordinators and they can help you make it happen!

Daily Bread is the first Food Recovery Program at the University of Kansas that currently partners with the KU Dining Services and the Center for Community Outreach to donate the campus' surplus bread and produce before each break to the Salvation Army and LINK food kitchen. Daily Bread is expanding to the Lawrence Community and aiding other resturants to start donating their surplus food by providing the transportation and volunteers.

EARTH works in local parks, nature preserves and other areas whose natural environments need repair or protection. EARTH educates and provide opportunities for service and direct action to improve the environment.

GROW volunteers work with youth at the Lawrence Boys' and Girls' Club and other community sites to become more environmentally aware through gardening and outdoor activities. Goals include learning about teamwork, horticulture, nutrition and environmental awareness.

Hawks for Health places student volunteers in community health care facilities. Volunteers also hold health promotion activities on campus and around the Lawrence community. For immediate assistance call Sonya at 785-218-3764 or Alec at 316-734-9158.

Volunteers with HUG establish relationships with older members of the community, help record the memories of the elderly through memory books, and link school-aged children and older adults. HUG partners with Douglas County Senior Services.

Into the Streets Week is an annual week-long event in the spring that highlights volunteer activities throughout the community. Among the events are a hunger banquet, outdoor concert, campus garden project, and the Empty Bowls project.

Jubilee Café provides breakfast for in-need community members in a restaurant-style environment. The program runs from 6 to approximately 8:30am Tuesday and Friday mornings at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont. Volunteers have the unique opportunity to build friendships with members of the diverse Lawrence community by serving them with dignity and respect. Note: Students who must leave early for class are still welcome! Don't let an early class keep you away!

Lifeline’s objective is to serve the educational needs of students within the Lawrence community through mentoring, tutoring and other activities that facilitate one-on-one interactions between students and volunteers. Volunteers engage students in areas such as math tutoring, college and ACT/SAT prep, essay workshops, and financial aid workshops.

Mentors volunteer at local elementary and junior high after-school programs alongside the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. Volunteers assist children with homework, play games/activities and strive to form meaningful relationships with the youth of Lawrence.

KU student mentors teach free instrumental and vocal music lessons to junior high and elementary school students in Lawrence who may not otherwise have the opportunity to take private music lessons.

Natural Ties facilitates activities and establishes friendships between KU student organizations and individuals with developmental disabilities. Students are asked to volunteer once per week throughout the entire school year.

Project Bridge provides tutoring to people of all ages in the Lawrence Community who are learning English as a second language. Tutoring takes place in the homes of ESL students, at ESL schools, and at the Kansas Union. Schedules are very flexible, and commitment ranges from 1-2 hours per week. This is a great opportunity for KU students wanting to practice a second language while enjoying the multicultural exposure that Project Bridge can provide.

Volunteer Resources
ESL Galaxy
Survival English for Travelers & False Beginners
To Learn English

Students Tutoring for Literacy helps native or non-native English-speaking youth and adults obtain their GED, learn English as a second language, read their first book or fill out a job application.