Honors Student Experience

Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) is the agency of Johnson County government that facilitates career and personal development for Johnson County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

One way that they serve residents is through virtual activities. They offer Zoom classes on different topics to help keep the people they  support engaged throughout the day. They would love to have visitors join them on Zoom and interact with them with any variety of topics. Music, art, education, games, crafts, really anything you can think of!

If you have something you’d like to share, you can reach out with the date, time, and topic, and they will add you to the calendar! Reach out to Mindi or Winter to get started:

Mindi Nelson: mindi.nelson@jocogov.org

Winter Arldedge: Winter.Arledge@jocogov.org 

Happy Volunteering!

Safehome is a nonprofit organization and domestic violence shelter near you in Johnson County. They are dedicated to ending domestic violence by providing shelter, individual and group counseling, court and legal support, and community programs and engagement.

Here are some ways that you can help this summer:

• Donation sorting
• Special events help
• Become a healthcare advocate

Check out their volunteer webpage for more information and to get started. Questions? Contact Abby Parish.

Happy volunteering!

JCCC’s Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is now open by appointment and for youth art classes! This critically acclaimed museum could use your help.

Youth class assistants are needed Tuesdays through Fridays in June and July. Classes are offered to 5-11 year-olds in the mornings (10am-12pm) and afternoons (2-4pm).

The Nerman will also have openings for visitor services assistants. These volunteers  help welcome visitors at the information desk  throughout the summer and fall.

Click here for more information and to fill out a volunteer application.

Happy Volunteering!

The mission of Operation Breakthrough is to provide a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and to empower their families through advocacy, emergency aid, and education.

This summer, you can help by hosting supply drives, bringing your group to volunteer, or by becoming a long-term volunteer. Here is more information:

Supply Drives: Operation Breakthrough graciously accepts donations that are used to help their families meet the basic needs for food, hygiene items, children’s books, and gently used children’s clothing.  Click here for lists of needed food and supplies.

Group Volunteering: 

• Adopt a Classroom or Neighborhood
• Sponsor a Donation or Collection Drive
• Group Service Projects
• Lobby “Take Home” Activities
• Playground Pals

Click here to learn more and sign up today.

Long-term Volunteering: 

All volunteers working directly with students are required to complete a background check ($14.25 fee) and TB skin test as well as attend an orientation.

Early Classroom Volunteer — Assist teachers in daily classroom activities and routines. You must be at least 14 yrs. of age.  They ask that you commit to a minimum of 12 weeks if you wish to volunteer with children 6 weeks to 5 years. Shifts are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

MakerCity Volunteer — Sign up for shifts in different zones in MakerCity, learning alongside School-Age students (ages 5-14) when you are available, with a minimum of 2 shifts/month. They are partnering with the Kansas City Public Schools during the day, so shifts are available while the School-Age students are at their schools. MakerCity volunteers must be 16 yrs. of age.

Click here for more information and to get started today!

Happy volunteering!

Phoenix Family empowers people living in low-income housing communities with the on-site support they need to gain stability and achieve self-sufficiency. They offer services to children, families, and senior citizens in the Kansas City area.

One program that could particularly use your help this summer is their HIKE program. HIKE (Help Instill the Key to Education) provides low-income children individualized reading instruction in order to improve their literacy, leading to greater success in school and increased opportunities in life.

They need Reading Coaches and Homework Helpers for their kiddos! To get started, reach out to Ellen Grayson Gude at egude@phoenixfamily.org.

Happy volunteering!

The mission of Inclusion Connections is to strengthen the lives of individuals with disabilities by creating inclusive opportunities for community involvement, access to meaningful employment, and better options for supported living.

One way that they fulfill their mission is through their PawsAbilities program. Employment is the pathway to independence and helps define one’s place in community life. Through working at PawsAbilities, trainees learn skills like operating commercial kitchen equipment, operating a cash register, cleaning and janitorial tasks, sewing, baking, packaging, inventory, and customer service. Trainees run the Olathe PawsAbilities retail store and the mobile pop-up store which visits local businesses and events.

This summer, you can help at Inclusion Connections through mentoring or helping out at PawsAbilities by cutting fabric or sewing dog bandanas. Click here to learn more.

Happy Volunteering!

JCCC has a national reputation for excellence in sustainability leadership. They challenge our campus and community to think critically and creatively about advancing sustainable practices, from the smallest individual action to the broadest applications.

One way for students to get involved is through volunteering. Here are some volunteering needs they have this summer:

• Gardening
• Litter cleanups
• Recycling event on campus
• Creation of recycling videos
• Development of recycling-related games

Reach out to Krystal Anton at kanton@jccc.edu to learn more and get started today.

Happy volunteering!