Service Activities

Service Activities | Volunteer Opportunities

St. Lawrence offers a number of opportunities to serve in the community and continue to work toward social justice in our society. We have several groups who meet regularly including KU Students for Life, CARE (ministering to the elderly), REACH (Religious Education and Activities for the Community Handicapped), Community Action, Hunger Awareness Committee, Sunday Morning Child care and a variety of opportunities to help out at the Center. These and more activities are available for you to make a positive impact on the community.

CARE (Catholics Actively Reaching the Elderly)

This outreach effort is designed to increase the awareness of issues affecting the elderly in Lawrence, and to give opportunities for students to meet the local needs through volunteering. This group provides activities for two area retirement settings. Individual students also have the opportunity to be matched with a senior citizen in the community and join them for a weekly visit.

REACH (Religious Education and Activities for the Community Handicapped)

Students attend bi-weekly Saturday REACH Masses and provide religious education and occasional special activities for community handicapped.

Community Action Committee

Designed to raise awareness of the struggles people are faced with on the local, national and international level, students attend speeches, write letters, provide round table discussions, create displays and promote the Church's teaching on social justice.

Hunger Awareness Committee

This group seeks to assist the poor, care for the hungry, educate the uninformed and advocate justice and peace in our local community through several missions and volunteer opportunities. Major projects coordinated through the program include the Fall Canned Food Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Adopted Families, Operation Rice Bowl, Hunger Awareness Banquet, food fast, fall and Lenten Service Day, and service at the local food kitchen.

Community Partnership

In an effort to help students move beyond charity and into justice, we have formed a partnership with two local non-profit organizations. The goal is for students to work with these groups in a variety of capacities including volunteering their time in service, raising funds and joint education about the organizations. This ongoing relationship helps students increase their awareness of local issues and needs, and empowers them to work in various ways as advocates. The Center is currently working with ICAN (Interfaith Caring Neighbors). This organization helps elderly to stay in their homes, and maintain independence and dignity by providing service volunteers to assist them. Students provide in-home visits, and other services as needed. Students also work with Mother to Mother, a community service group that provides support and mentoring to young and new mothers. Students provide babysitting and other services as needed.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Throughout the year, St. Lawrence offers a variety of volunteer activities either at the Center or in the community. These activities are sometimes done in connection with the KU Center for Community Outreach and help benefit the needy families in this community. Students also have an opportunity to participate in community action projects which help to educate the public about issues of injustice in the world.

Center Volunteers

The Center has a number of volunteer opportunities that allow students to provide needed services on a regular basis Some students choose to volunteer a few hours weekly answering phones and working with program leaders to plan and prepare for classes and programs. Other students donate a few hours as needed to help with major mailings and major projects (such as WineFest and the golf tournament). Anyone who enjoys gardening and outdoor work can volunteer to assist the Grounds Supervisor. There is always a need for helping hands and all the Center programs benefit from the assistance of student volunteers.

Training Leaders for the Community (TLC)

In winter 1998, St. Lawrence and Douglas County received a federal grant supporting abstinence education. TLC trains college students to become mentors for middle school and high school students. Mentors teach the importance of leading a healthy, chaste lifestyle in our society. For more information, contact Erin Henning, TLC Director, at the Center, 785-843-0357.

Sunday Morning Child care

Student, who love to work with small children staff the nursery on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Intern

This opportunity provides one student leader with special training on Catholic Social Teaching and CCHD philosophy. The student is empowered to implement his/her new skills by educating peers on the the Catholic Church's role in society and counteracting injustices of humanity locally and nationally.

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