Gain Experience

HandsOn Kansas State: Days of Service: HandsOn is a student volunteer organization that promotes civic learning and leadership through meaningful volunteer and service opportunities between campus and community. They organize specific Days of Service for people to volunteer at, as well as listing local volunteer opportunities that people are encouraged to participate in. This is an especially great fit for anyone interested in a minor in Leadership Studies.

Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan: For those who like working with youths, Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan provides a number of services for our local community, including before- and after-school programs, summer programs, and special events. If you're interested in helping provide fun and educational activities for kids, they have a lot of uses for volunteers. Below are a few of their after-school programs.

Bluemont, Lee, and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Schools work with Kansas Reading Roadmap to provide young children a small after-school group setting to work on their reading skills. Volunteers are always needed to help guide the small groups during the school year. Additionally, they have a tutoring program at Eisenhower Middle School that covers a different subject each day of the week.

• Bluemont Elementary: bluemontpc@bgclubmanhattan.com
• Lee Elementary: lee@bgclubmanhattan.com
• Theodore Roosevelt Elementary: trpc@bgclubmanhattan.com
• Eisenhower Middle School: emspc@bgclubmanhattan.com

Campus Leadership Opportunities: There are a number of opportunities around campus to work or volunteer as a peer leader. You can provide guidance to newer students as a resident assistant in one of the nine residence halls, be a voice for your fellow students as a representative in the Student Governing Association, become a peer tutor for the Academic Achievement Center, and more.

Cats' Cupboard: K-State's food pantry is a collaborative effort among students, faculty, staff, and the community to provide food security for our students. If you are interested in volunteering to help the Cupboard spread awareness or run a food drive, contact catscupboard@k-state.edu or 785-532-0366.

AmeriCorps - City Year: City Year is a branch of the AmeriCorps that works to bridge the gap between the support students actually need and what schools are designed to provide. Volunteers work in under-resourced schools across 28 cities to identify students who are at risk of not graduating on time with their peers. As with the PeaceCorps, volunteers sign up for a one-year term and are compensated with a living stipend, living expenses, and unique scholarship opportunities. To learn more, you can read their introductory sheet (pdf) or check out their video presentation.

Alternative Breaks: It can be tough to find time during your semester to tackle social change as well, but Alternative Breaks gives students the opportunity to travel around the Midwest for intensive service experiences over the winter and spring breaks, and even occasional weekend! Break away from routine and obstacles, and instead help communities from Colorado to Texas to address pressing social issues. Transportation, food, and housing are included for volunteers, and scholarships are available to cover the small enrollment fees.

Serve Abroad: K-State's Education Abroad program offers a variety of paths for you to volunteer internationally, not just attend classes. Gain hands-on experience, learn a new language, and soak up a new culture, all while serving a community in need. Nervous about going to an unfamiliar country? You can join one of the Faculty-Led Programs and work with a group of other K-State students over the summer semester.

Volunteer Eco Students Abroad: VESA programs focus on connecting individuals with large-scale humanitarian projects in regions of the world where traditional charity and aid has not addressed the social and environmental risks the communities face. Take direct action to help the communities in these beautiful and remote parts of the world, and make a difference with VESA.