Volunteer Opportunities From: Engage Rockhurst

Serve KC's elderly community by participating in KC Rakes!  

What: KC Rakes is a volunteer-driven neighborhood cleanup initiative organized by KC Shepherd’s Center, dedicated to helping older adults maintain safe, accessible, and dignified homes. Through seasonal yard work like raking leaves, trimming overgrown bushes, and clearing walkways—KC Rakes mobilizes community members of all ages to support their older neighbors across Kansas City.

What to expect: Light yard work and raking for older adults who are no longer physically able to care for their yards and can't always afford to hire help.  5-8 people will be assigned to each home.  You may sign up as a team or be assigned to a team. Most homes only take between 2-4 hours to complete.

When: Nov. 1st.  Arrive by 8:30am at 9200 Ward Parkway for coffee and supply pickup. You will need to arrange for your own rides.

Please register here (on Engage RU) and HERE.

Serve KC's elderly community by participating in KC Rakes!

What: KC Rakes is a volunteer-driven neighborhood cleanup initiative organized by KC Shepherd’s Center, dedicated to helping older adults maintain safe, accessible, and dignified homes. Through seasonal yard work like raking leaves, trimming overgrown bushes, and clearing walkways—KC Rakes mobilizes community members of all ages to support their older neighbors across Kansas City.

What to expect: Light yard work and raking for older adults who are no longer physically able to care for their yards and can't always afford to hire help.  5-8 people will be assigned to each home.  You may sign up as a team or be assigned to a team. Most homes only take between 2-4 hours to complete.

When: Nov. 15th arrive at 8:30am at 9200 Ward Parkway for coffee and supply pickup. You will have to provide your own transportation.

Please register here (on Engage RU) and HERE.

Improve KC's air quality and reduce the urban heat island (trees create shade with lowers the city's temp) by planting trees near campus.  We'll plant tulip bulbs in the Paseo Memorial Park...they will bring joy in April.   Meet in the Rock Room (for donuts and Red Bulls) at 9:00am.  Plant to work until about noon.  Please note:

Spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear at St. Anthony's assisted living and nursing home on Thursday, December 4.  Meet at Arrupe Circle at 3:30pm.  Plan to return to campus by 5:30pm.  Wear a Santa hat, reindeer ears, elf costume, ugly Christmas sweater, etc. 

Spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear at Margaret's Place, an adult recreation and wellness center.  Meet at Arrupe Circle at 12:30pm on Wednesday, December 3.  Plan to return to campus by 2:00pm.

Celebrate mass with our friends at St. Anthony Assisted Living, then enjoy snacks and social!  We'll depart from Arrupe Circle at 3:30.  Mass starts at 4:00pm.  Plan to return to campus by 5:30pm. 

stocking books for lead to read, a children's literacy program

Serve as a mentor/leader for Kansas City's Youth Ambassadors, a group of area teenagers who are growing in skills and leadership. On Saturday, November 8, a group of Rockhurst University students will meet a group of Youth Ambassadors for a honeysuckle clearing service project at The Paseo Stairs.  After service, Rockhurst students will lead the group in reflection (Ignatian Examen) and then return to campus for lunch in the Thomas More Dining Room.  Here's the schedule for the day:

9:15am: meet in RockRoom, walk to the site

9:30am: meet at Paseo Stairs, work

11:15am: stop work, do reflection

11:30am: depart Paseo Stairs, walk to campus

Noon: lunch in cafeteria

12:45pm: finished!

Make it a Halloween to remember for the kids of our neighborhood by helping to put on Rockhurst's Halloween party on Friday, October 31st from 6 - 8:00pm in the Greenlease Library.  Options include, but are not limited to:

Your organization is responsible for bringing the supplies needed for your event.  This is a COSTUME event, so come dressed to impress!

Keep KC moving by adopting the KCATA (city) bus stops adjacent to campus: 

Your chores, which need to be performed one time per week (Fridays between 1:30 and 4...it should only take you 30 minutes - 1 hour), will include:

Troost is our city's busiest bus route.  With your help, we'll keep it classy and efficient.  

Keep KC moving by adopting the KCATA (city) bus stops adjacent to campus: 

Your chores, which need to be performed one time per week (Fridays between 1:30 and 4...it should only take you 30 minutes - 1 hour), will include:

Troost is our city's busiest bus route.  With your help, we'll keep it classy and efficient.  

Orientation Leaders and Coordinators provide an invaluable service to Rockhurst University for the hours they dedicate to ensuring that our new students are welcome!

Address KC's affordable housing crisis head-on by working on a house with Habitat for Humanity!  At this event you will join with members of the Rockhurst University Missouri Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) chapter and other students.  Previous construction experience is not required.  Also, know that participating in this event will count towards STEM volunteering hours that are required for engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics students.

Some items to note:

Travel around KC to serve meals and join in companionship with people in our area who are experiencing hunger and homelessness.  Uplift leaders will drive the mobile soup kitchen to locations around the metro where unhoused-folks congregate.  Then you will help to serve the meal, deliver clothing, and spend time visiting!  

Details:

- Meet at Arrupe Circle for 3:15pm departure or drive yourself to Uplift (1516 Prospect Ave, KC, MO) by 3:30pm, at which time we will load the vans. 

- Uplift route starts at 5:00pm and can last 4.5 - 5 hours.

- Wear warm clothes if it's cold.

- Consider bringing a donation with you.  Current high need items include women's & men's underwear, men's athletic shoes.

Travel around KC to serve meals and join in companionship with people in our area who are experiencing hunger and homelessness.  Uplift leaders will drive the mobile soup kitchen to locations around the metro where unhoused-folks congregate.  Then you will help to serve the meal, deliver clothing, and spend time visiting!  

Details:

- Meet at Arrupe Circle for 3:15pm departure or drive yourself to Uplift (1516 Prospect Ave, KC, MO) by 3:30pm, at which time we will load the vans. 

- Uplift route starts at 5:00pm and can last 4.5 - 5 hours.

- Wear warm clothes if it's cold.

- Consider bringing a donation with you.  Current high need items include women's & men's underwear, men's athletic shoes.

Join Kansas Citians of various faith traditions in addressing our nation's affordable housing crisis on this Habitat for Humanity Faith Build!  Previous construction experience is not required.  Please note:

Volunteer to shovel snow on an as-needed basis for Kansas Citians who, due to age or physical limitations, cannot clear their own sidewalk or driveway.  After registering as a Snow Angel, you will be notified via email when you are matched with a resident in need of assistance and will receive further instructions.  

Register HERE!