Volunteer Opportunities, Service Trips

Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Service Trips

KSU United for the Gulf Coast

Community Service

Kent State has pledged assistance to the Gulf Coast region for ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief. Many areas within these communities are still feeling the impact of the 2005 hurricane. Kent State University's first trip to the area occurred in the spring of 2006 when more than 450 volunteer students, faculty and staff descended upon the area to provide assistance in the rebuilding efforts. Since then, Kent State has made four additional trips down to the Gulf Coast region and 325 additional volunteers have continued the Kent State University commitment to provide ongoing assistance.

Please visit some of the links below to find out more about past and future trips. Additional contact for information is Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu.

Some links for the Kent State United for the Gulf Coast:

Appalachian Service Trips

In June 2008, KSU students and community members traveled to Louisa, Kentucky for a service trip titled, "Appalachian Service Leaders". They worked with Springtime of Hope and the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center to provide services to residents of one of the most impoverished counties in the nation.

These students continue to work with EMSA to develop shorter service trips to appeal to students who may not be able to spend an entire week away, but can devote a weekend to service opportunities closer to home. The goals of the Appalachian service trip program are to develop student-led weekend service trips to Appalachian communities within 5 hours drive of campus.

A Fall 2009 trip has been planned for Friday, October 2- Sunday, October 4. Up to 14 volunteers will be spending the weekend at the Gift of Tears Catholic Working Farm in Spencer, West Virginia. Volunteers will be part of an educational and social analysis program on the Appalachian region and focus on social and environmental justice issues. Videos, discussions, guest speakers, and tours will introduce volunteers to the community and help volunteers immerse themselves into Appalachian culture. The cost of the trip will be $50 and will cover food, lodging, and transportation.

The Appalachian Service Trip registration forms and information are below. Volunteers need to print off and complete the two forms. The forms and the registration fee ($50 cash or check made payable to Kent State University) need be be brought to room 250 in the Kent Student Center.
Registration and Medical Emergency Form
Hold Harmless and Volunteer Agreement Form
What to Bring and Expect

For more information, please contact Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu.

Check back in the Spring 2010 semester for more information and registration forms for the Spring 2010 Appalachian Service Trip that will be April 23-April 25, 2010.

Urban Immersion Service Trips

A Fall 2009 trip has been planned for Friday, October 30-Sunday, November 1, 2009. Up to 10 volunteers will be spending the weekend at the Catholic Worker House on the West Side of Cleveland. During their time in Cleveland, volunteers will have an opportunity to do direct service, talk to those afflicted by poverty, and discuss issues with local social service agencies. The visit will provide volunteers with an opportunity to see some of the desperate human suffering that exists in Cleveland's urban areas. The cost of the trip is $35 and includes food, transportation, and lodging.

The Cleveland Immersion Trip registration forms and information are below. Volunteers need to print off and complete the two forms. The forms and registration fee ($35 cash or check made payable to Kent State University) need to be brought to room 250 in the Kent Student Center.
Registration and Medical Emergency Form
Hold Harmless and Volunteer Agreement Form
What to Bring and Expect

For more information, please contact Ann at agosky@kent.edu.

Check back in the Spring 2010 semester for more information and registration forms for the March 19-21, 2010 Cleveland Immersion Trip.