Current Trip Locations
Summer
Bright Future Orphanage
The Ghanaian orphanage program seeks to address the numerous problems that many children without proper education, healthcare, food, love and attention face as a result of their parents not being there for them. Volunteers will help teach, love and care for these less fortunate children through the design and execution of effective teaching programs, activities, and events to inspire and develop the children’s talents and abilities. Through human interaction and care, volunteers will be able to form deep bonds with the children, and with each other. During this trip, there will also be exploration and discussion of the Ghanaian people and their culture. If you are looking for a transformational service experience this summer, this is it! Located in Ghana.
One World Running
Shoes: probably something you slip on every morning but take mostly for granted. For many, however, not having shoes means being more susceptible to diseases picked up through foot sores, being denied public education past a certain level, and having a much tougher time securing employment. One World Running was formed in 1986 to give shoes to the needy around the world. The organization has sent thousands of pairs of shoes and changed countless lives in the past two decades. Now, OSU has the opportunity to help in this endeavor. Having taken trips with OWR to Belize in the past to deliver shoes, this trip continues our commitment to this international endeavor by helping clean and prepare the shoes before they leave the country. Located in Boulder, Colorado.
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is committed to building simple, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. They seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. This Habitat affiliate’s plans include building a total of 22 homes in their new Habitat neighborhood. The first home was dedicated in the summer of 2011 and the second and third houses are under construction. Enjoy southern Delaware in the summer at this affiliate, located less than 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches. Located in Georgetown, Delaware.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro was formed in 1987 to bring people together to build quality, affordable homes and thriving neighborhoods where families can build better lives. During their first year they built 5 homes, which quickly expanded to 10 homes annually. 25 years later, Habitat Greensboro has expanded to almost 6,000 volunteers and 30 staff who build, renovate, and provide critical repairs to 30-35 homes each year. Explore central North Carolina while getting your service on this summer! It’s a great place to be, with an abundance of parks, museums, hiking areas, and more! Located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Refugee Family Services
Refugee Family Services is a dynamic, community-based organization that has grown and adapted to meet the changing needs of the metro Atlanta refugee community for more than 20 years. RFS believes in helping refugees to meet their greatest potential, enabling them to realize their goals for a better life and to become productive members of the Atlanta community. Begun as a local branch of the Save the Children network, RFS now serves more than 2,000 women and children each year, and is made up of over 48 staff members, speaking more than 20 languages. Want to serve those in need, brush up on your foreign language skills, and explore a lush metropolis all during the first week of summer? Well, now you can! Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Operation Breakthrough
Operation Breakthrough is a community center in the heart of Kansas City that serves children 8 months to 18 years old and their parents. Through education and programs like daycare, a food pantry, dress for success and music therapy, the center works relentlessly to improve the lives of local families, many of whom live beneath the poverty level. Volunteers work primarily with children and teachers in the classroom in the morning, while helping maintain the center in the afternoon while the students nap. Please be prepared that as part of this trip you are required to have a tetanus shot and a doctor signature stating you are healthy. These are both required to have the time of your life! Located in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Gesundheit! Institute
The Gesundheit! Institute, a non-profit health care organization, is a project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself. For many years, they have been raising funding for a full scale model of health care based on compassion and service. Now, they are beginning the processes of building a forty-bed rural community hospital. There will be beds for staff and beds for their families in a creative, comfortable communal hospital. There will also be forty beds for guests who would be healing arts students on electives, ophthalmology teams every three months, plumbers, string quartets, and anyone wanting a service-oriented vacation. There will be 30,000 square feet devoted to the arts in a fully arts-centered hospital. There will be a school for social change and in-depth agricultural programs. On this trip, volunteers will work on the land and actively contribute to the local community. Depending on what is needed at the time, volunteers may engage in a variety of work: building, carpentry, woodworking, house painting, organic garden work, grounds maintenance, cooking, cleaning, laundry, chopping wood, and carrying water. Located in Hillsboro, West Virginia
Medici Project
Medici Project serves to educate and expose individuals to the terrible realities of poverty for Atlanta’s inner city youth and what is being done to fight against that poverty. While in Atlanta, your primary job will be to build relationships with at-risk urban youth through personal interaction. You will do hands-on service with the Medici Project and other organizations who are seeking to make an impact in the lives of at-risk children and youth, but much of what we do is relational. A staff member expert will accompany your group and provide education and guidance as you work with the at-risk urban youth of Atlanta. This particular trip will focus on the sexual exploitation of youth in the area. Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Champion Athletes
Champion Athletes of the Ozarks serves children and adults with disabilities living in the Ozarks area. Through sports training and competition they are striving to build self-esteem, self-confidence and social skills. They are creating a positive atmosphere and teaching decision-making skills, team skills, appropriate behaviors and the feeling of success. Champion Athletes of the Ozarks also has a main focus on teaching important “Life Skills.” They offer classes in reading, basic money, math, storm preparedness and also run a wellness and fitness program. All of these skills are necessary for every individual to be successful in work and school and to be a more productive citizen in the community. Located in Springfield, Missouri.
The Lower Nine
This organization works with residents of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans to help rebuild the area after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Because the Lower Ninth Ward was an area hit hardest by the hurricanes, Lowernine takes a holistic approach to healing the community; volunteers will be rebuilding and constructing houses, working in urban community gardens, providing social and emotional support as well as community outreach to the New Orleans community. Lowernine is committed to providing sustainable economic solutions. Join Lowernine in preserving New Orlean’s culture and history by helping rebuild a solid foundation. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Florida's Aquatic Preserves
Florida’s Aquatic Preserves program works to restore, maintain, and preserve the natural beauty and heritage of the coastlines. In 1975, Florida enacted the Aquatic Preserve Act to ensure the continued preservation of Florida’s vast, natural beauty. Since the Act was initiated, Florida has established 41 aquatic preserves, encompassing approximately 2.2 million acres. Students will enjoy the sun of Florida while working on a variety of preservation projects such as island restoration projects to remove invasive plants that overtake the native plants, decrease diversity, and destabilize the sediments and working to create essential maps for future preservation projects. Located in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Guadalupe Center
This trip is designed for those who wish to immerse themselves into the culture of Immokalee. In a community where 40 percent of the people live below the poverty level, the Guadalupe Center is dedicated to serving the disadvantaged poor of Immokalee. Your group will be working with the children of migrant workers in the Early Childhood Programs at the Guadalupe Center. The center has been running for more than 25 years and it also includes a soup kitchen, clothing center, and a shower center for those in need. But wait, you will also be working with The Coalition of Immokalee Workers! The Coalition focuses their efforts on bettering the lives of migrant workers in the area. Your group will meet with the Coalition to learn more about the issues migrants face, as well as taking a tour of Immokalee and experiencing a day in the fields of migrant workers. This will better educate you on what families go through on a day to day basis and give you a better understanding of those you will be serving! Located in Immokalee, Florida.
Camp Misericordia
Misericordia is a nonprofit that has been in existence since 1921 working with a population who has mild or profound developmental as well as physical disabilities. Currently serving 600 people, Misericordia is unique in that it works to integrate this diverse community into living as independently as possible by providing practical living skills, housing, business opportunities, and spiritual, psychological, and social support programs. Help make a difference in the lives of people that are two often stigmatized while also learning about the history and culture of Chicago. Located in Chicago, Illinois.
Once Upon a Time in Appalachia
Volunteers will be working to assist both the Cherokee people and the environment while challenging themselves in a mentally and physically manner. This amazing trip will give volunteers an inside perspective on Native Americans Cherokee. The trip will take place between the idyllic Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest in East Tennessee. Come join Ed and Arlene and see what it feels like to be a part of their family; this is a trip you will not forget! Located in Maryville, Tennessee.
Gay Men’s Health Crisis
Gay Men's Health Crisis is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, they understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all. Their mission is to fight to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. Volunteers will assist patients, public, and staff with the many health and education programs within the New York City headquarters. By providing service and support to patients and their loved ones, you will learn and give back to the communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Be a part of the coalition of victims, family, and friends combating the spread and devastation HIV/AIDS through education and compassion. Located in New York City, New York.
Community Servings
This Boston-based hot meal preparation and distribution program provides thousands of meals to local patients suffering with debilitating illnesses. These fresh, nutritious, specialized meals are integral to the lives of those affected by cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and lupus. Volunteers will help prepare, package, and deliver food to the network of 800 individuals and families in the area. Join the Boston community’s mission to improve the health and quality of life of its clients. Located Boston, Massachusetts.
Inspiration Café
Inspiration Café is a food kitchen that makes it a priory to help people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase their self-sufficiency by providing social services, employment training and placement, and housing. Come be a part of the transformation at Inspiration Café while exploring the Chicago skyline this summer! Located in Chicago, Illinois.
Cape Town, South Africa
Experience a new culture and travel to a foreign land with this AWESOME trip to Cape Town, South Africa, planned in collaboration with Buck-I-SERV. This trip will address HIV/AIDS issues that are present in South Africa and how HIV/AIDS is intertwined in the social issues that affect South Africa. Cape Town is a less than 20 hour flight from New York and was voted one of the World's Top 10 Most Loved Cities according to CNNGo. Find out more information on Cape Town at http://www.capetown.travel/ . Students will be spending 14 days in Cape Town from May 6th through May 20th, which includes travel. Students will learn about the history of Cape Town and South Africa, and serve with children dealing with HIV/AIDS, individually or with their families. By the end, students will #lovecapetown !! Note: This trip will travel from May 6- May 20th.??
Note: This INTERNATIONAL trip requires a valid passport to participate.To be considered as a participant on this trip, you must submit your application and essay responses by the November 25th deadline.??
Must answer both questions below, by November 25th, to be considered for this trip:?1. Why do you think you will be an asset to the team traveling to South Africa??2. If you could donate one million dollars to the charity of your choice, what charity would you choose and why?
??Submit essay responses via email to osucapetownbound@gmail.com no later than 11:59pm on November 25, 2012.??
*Please note, applications will not be considered without the submission of essay responses.??
Interview Information:?Participants will be selected through interview process. Applicants must be available for at least one interview time slot (1 hour in duration), in order to be considered for the trip. Interviews will take place during the following dates and times:??
Friday, November 30th from 4-8pm? Saturday, December 1st from 12-4pm??
*Interview slots will be offered by leaders upon submission of application and essay responses.??
Additional Information:?Immunizations: Please note there is an extra cost for vaccinations. The cost of vaccinations is not included in the price listed above. For more information regarding necessary vaccinations, please visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/south-africa.htm. Leaders and advisors will provide more details and guidance on this process to selected participants during group meetings.??
Please direct questions regarding this trip to osucapetownbound@gmail.com