Volunteer Opportunities From: Engage Rockhurst

Removing litter and the invasive honeysuckle from the nearby Paseo Memorial Park helps the native forest to thrive and improves neighborhood safety.  Join RU Green and a host of others in this worthy endeavor on Sunday, September 27th  Meet in Rock Room at 9:00am and plan to work until noon.  Please note the following:

- wear grubby clothes and boots or close-toed shoes.  

- BYO water bottle

Join forces with Heartland Tree Alliance to plant 10 trees in our neighborhood!  Urban trees provide beneficial shade to combat the dangerous heat island effect that is increasing in cities as global warming takes over.  Urban trees also manage stormwater and increase mental health.  The tulips we plant will bloom in the spring to spread joy!  This planting will take place on Friday, November 20th.  Meet in the Rock Room at 2pm.  Previous tree and tulip-planting experience is not required.  Wear grubby clothes and boots or shoes (no sandals).

Join in fellowship and food with people living on KC's streets by serving at Cherith Brook Catholic Worker.  During this evening you will:

Depart Arrupe Circle at 4:30pm on Thursday, Sept 17.  Plan to return to campus by 7:30pm.  

Join in fellowship with families from Community LINC, a nearby program that helps people transition from homelessness to stable housing!  Meet at the Alvin Brooks Center for Faith Justice for dinner and then play games or run around campus with the kids!

5:00pm: set-up

5:30pm: dinner & games

6:30pm: guests depart, clean-up

7:00pm: done!

In January 2026, data reveled that Kansas City has a higher population of unsheltered homeless persons per capita than any other city in America.  Address this crisis head on by serving for a day with Habitat for Humanity: KC.  Previous experience/expert carpentry skills are not required.  Plan on departing Arrupe Circle on Saturday, February 20th at 8:00am and returning to campus by 3:00pm.  Please:

In January 2026, data reveled that Kansas City has a higher population of unsheltered homeless persons per capita than any other city in America.  Address this crisis head on by serving for a day with Habitat for Humanity: KC.  Previous experience/expert carpentry skills are not required.  Plan on departing Arrupe Circle on Saturday, November 7th at 8:00am and returning to campus by 3:00pm.  Please:

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

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 Friday, December 4.  Plan to return to campus by 2:30pm.

Join families from Community LINC (transitional housing program that moves people from houselessness to stable housing) in food and fellowship!  As a volunteer, you will:

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.

In January 2026, data reveled that Kansas City has a higher population of unsheltered homeless persons per capita than any other city in America.  Address this crisis head on by serving for a day with Habitat for Humanity: KC.  Previous experience/expert carpentry skills are not required.  Plan on departing Arrupe Circle at 8:00am and returning to campus by 3:00pm.  Please:

In January 2026, data reveled that Kansas City has a higher population of unsheltered homeless persons per capita than any other city in America.  Address this crisis head on by serving for a day with Habitat for Humanity: KC.  Previous experience/expert carpentry skills are not required.  Plan on departing Arrupe Circle at 8:00am and returning to campus by 3:00pm.  Please:

Join Student Senate as they answer the Jesuits' call to Care for our Common Home and address environmental racism by cleaning trash in and around Brush Creek.  Either jump into a canoe to clean trash from the creek or walk along the banks to pick up junk.  Free t-shirt, food, and prizes (awarded to biggest piece of trash, weirdest piece of trash, etc.). 

Schedule:

- 2:15pm: depart Arrupe Circle

- 2:30pm: arrive Mary Williams-Neal Community Center (3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, KC, MO 64130)

- 2:30 - 4:30pm: clean trash

- 4:30pm - 5:30pm: reflection, food, celebration

- 6:00pm: return to campus

Please:

Travel up and down the Missouri River (KC's main source of drinking water) by boat, then hop onto shore to clean trash from the river banks.  We will drive to Miami, MO, which is where we will board boats for the project.  Free lunch and t-shirt provided!  Depart from Arrupe Circle at 6:30am on Sunday, August 30 and return to campus around 4:30pm that same day. Wear boots and grubby clothes!