Kansas Corps unites Kansas area schools for volunteerism. This grassroot's effort stimulates community through collaboration; students unite to support their local communities.
United States of America (Press Release) April 4, 2008 --
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2008
Kansas Corps Tests Concept in Melvern, Kansas
Topeka, KS. – On April 19 the city of Melvern, Kansas, will be
transformed. Vibrantly painted in black and gold, “power cat” purple,
crimson and blue and the entire spectrum of colors in between, college
students will proudly display their school colors. However, school pride
will not be the primary objective of this day. Instead, these volunteers
will unite in Melvern to build area hiking and biking trails.
Transcending rivalry and geographic boundaries approximately 80 college
students from K-State, KU, WSU, FHSU, Butler Community College, Allen
County Community College, Flint Hills Technical School and others will
align as Kansans to support “Friends of the Trail” as part of a new
statewide initiative, the Kansas Corps.
This initiative will link all types of higher education community service
programs together to serve the public good, enhancing the quality of life
in Kansas communities. The opportunity for Kansas college students to work together with “Friends of the Trail” will test the concept of the Kansas Corps. “The opportunities created for the state of Kansas by an
initiative such as Kansas Corps are exponential,” said Christine
Downey-Schmidt, former State senator and current Chair of the Kansas Board
of Regents. “College student volunteers are a great untapped resource and
this program will create a windfall of benefits for all involved,
including all Kansas communities.”
Kansas Corps will network college and university programs across the
state, promoting service and volunteerism. The vision of Kansas Corps is
to improve lives, strengthen neighborhoods and foster civic
responsibility. Program benefits will be enjoyed by volunteers as well as
those served. With a single phone call, this group of college student volunteers from multiple campuses will be mobilized to provide disaster recovery, social services and/or community development assistance to any region of the state.
“In the course of this landmark day; Kansas Corps will embark on an
unprecedented journey with the community of Melvern: we will foster rural
economic gain, while building a community that is sustaining their own
future. This project is the perfect union of community and college
volunteers- each expanding through a sense of community, responsibility
and volunteerism,” explained Dr. Curt Brungardt, director of FHSU’s Center
for Civic Leadership and one of the program developers.
Hallmark to this effort is the alignment of many groups: “Friends
of the Trail”, Westar Electric Green Team, Kansas Trails Council and PRIDE
organization. Kansas Corps will complement these efforts linking Kansas’
College and University volunteer programs.
Many Kansas higher learning institutions have public service/volunteerism
programs designed to match college students with local communities. Kansas
Corp does not focus on creating a new public service and volunteer
program, but rather links and builds upon established programs. A full
proposal is under development for presentation to the Kansas Board of
Regents.
To obtain more information or to get involved with this project, Kansas
colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and state and
governmental agencies can visit www.kansascorps.org or contact Dr. Curt
Brungardt, Executive Director, Center for Civic Leadership, FHSU,
cbrungar@fhsu.edu, 785-628-5592.
April 3, 2008
Kansas Corps Tests Concept in Melvern, Kansas
Topeka, KS. – On April 19 the city of Melvern, Kansas, will be
transformed. Vibrantly painted in black and gold, “power cat” purple,
crimson and blue and the entire spectrum of colors in between, college
students will proudly display their school colors. However, school pride
will not be the primary objective of this day. Instead, these volunteers
will unite in Melvern to build area hiking and biking trails.
Transcending rivalry and geographic boundaries approximately 80 college
students from K-State, KU, WSU, FHSU, Butler Community College, Allen
County Community College, Flint Hills Technical School and others will
align as Kansans to support “Friends of the Trail” as part of a new
statewide initiative, the Kansas Corps.
This initiative will link all types of higher education community service
programs together to serve the public good, enhancing the quality of life
in Kansas communities. The opportunity for Kansas college students to work together with “Friends of the Trail” will test the concept of the Kansas Corps. “The opportunities created for the state of Kansas by an
initiative such as Kansas Corps are exponential,” said Christine
Downey-Schmidt, former State senator and current Chair of the Kansas Board
of Regents. “College student volunteers are a great untapped resource and
this program will create a windfall of benefits for all involved,
including all Kansas communities.”
Kansas Corps will network college and university programs across the
state, promoting service and volunteerism. The vision of Kansas Corps is
to improve lives, strengthen neighborhoods and foster civic
responsibility. Program benefits will be enjoyed by volunteers as well as
those served. With a single phone call, this group of college student volunteers from multiple campuses will be mobilized to provide disaster recovery, social services and/or community development assistance to any region of the state.
“In the course of this landmark day; Kansas Corps will embark on an
unprecedented journey with the community of Melvern: we will foster rural
economic gain, while building a community that is sustaining their own
future. This project is the perfect union of community and college
volunteers- each expanding through a sense of community, responsibility
and volunteerism,” explained Dr. Curt Brungardt, director of FHSU’s Center
for Civic Leadership and one of the program developers.
Hallmark to this effort is the alignment of many groups: “Friends
of the Trail”, Westar Electric Green Team, Kansas Trails Council and PRIDE
organization. Kansas Corps will complement these efforts linking Kansas’
College and University volunteer programs.
Many Kansas higher learning institutions have public service/volunteerism
programs designed to match college students with local communities. Kansas
Corp does not focus on creating a new public service and volunteer
program, but rather links and builds upon established programs. A full
proposal is under development for presentation to the Kansas Board of
Regents.
To obtain more information or to get involved with this project, Kansas
colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and state and
governmental agencies can visit www.kansascorps.org or contact Dr. Curt
Brungardt, Executive Director, Center for Civic Leadership, FHSU,
cbrungar@fhsu.edu, 785-628-5592.
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