Buckeye Funder

"The Access Fund made it possible for me to participate in Buck-I-SERV, an experience that I wouldn’t have been able to afford on my own. Thanks to this support, I had the opportunity to travel to Bangladesh, where I visited a tea garden and learned firsthand about the economic and educational struggles faced by workers there. It was eye-opening to see how something as simple as access to education could change lives, and it reinforced my passion for service.

Beyond the trip itself, the impact of the Access Fund extended into my experience at Ohio State. The lessons I learned—about resilience, adaptability, and the power of community—have shaped the way I approach leadership and service on campus. As a Resident Advisor, I’ve become more understanding and patient when working with students from different backgrounds. I’ve also been more intentional about finding ways to give back, whether through volunteering or mentoring others.

Without the Access Fund, I wouldn’t have had this transformative experience. It not only allowed me to engage in meaningful service but also shaped my mindset in ways that will stay with me far beyond my time at Ohio State." -Ana

"The assistance provided by the Access Fund has been instrumental in making my Buck-I-Serv experience possible, allowing me to fully engage in service without financial barriers. By covering essential costs, the fund enabled me to participate in the Special Olympics Baltimore service trip, where I contributed to creating inclusive sports experiences and fostering meaningful connections with athletes, students, and educators.

During the trip, I helped organize and execute Unified Physical Education classes at Northeast High School and Glen Burnie High School, where students of all abilities engaged in activities that emphasized teamwork and inclusion. I also took part in packing and cleanup efforts, ensuring that event spaces were properly set up for impactful programming. These moments reinforced my belief in the power of service and strengthened my commitment to working with nonprofits that promote accessibility and equity.

Beyond Buck-I-Serv, the Access Fund has enhanced my overall Ohio State experience by enabling me to immerse myself in leadership and service initiatives. This support has not only removed financial obstacles but has also reaffirmed my passion for service and advocacy. The lessons and relationships formed through Buck-I-Serv will continue to shape my commitment to public service, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities made possible by the Access Fund." -Xavier

"Without the access fund, I would not have been able to go on any of the Buck-I-Serv trips that I have been on. I am grateful to the donors who selflessly give so that people like me can have such a rewarding experience. The ability to go on not just one, but three international trips is something that I don’t take lightly. These trips have been very impactful to me as well as our community partners which we serve alongside. The access fund is a great resource that breaks the financial barrier for these experiences for me and for many.

Buck-I-Serv has given me a broader perspective on social issues across the globe as well as here on Ohio State’s campus. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone as I had never traveled internationally prior to my first Buck-I-Serv trip. The trips have made me a better communicator as I have learned to communicate past language barriers and work with people I have never met before. I have also grown as a leader through my experiences leading Buck-I-Serv trips. Buck-I-Serv has pushed me to grow in many facets of my life, and they all translate back to my Ohio State experience. I also feel more connected on campus as I have gained valuable friendships and relationships with mentors. I feel a sense of belonging to the Buck-I-Serv community and know that they are there to support me. The desire to travel and serve alongside communities will be with me during my time at Ohio State and beyond." -Harlee

"Buck-I-Serve was an amazing experience for me but the reality for me was that I applied without knowing for sure I would be able to go. Neither me nor my family was or is in the financial position to be able to afford a trip such as Buck-I-Serve but the financial aid I got took a weight off my shoulders and reassured me that was going to be able to have this experience.

I have never had an experience quite as impactful as my Buck-I-Serve trip, so much so I just applied for another. I met so many people and built so many relationships with people who I would never have met if I didn't have this opportunity. I got the chance to serve a beautiful community that I grew to love by the end of the trip. Additionally, I made friendships with my group members that are still intact today. Buck-I-Serve gave me a lot of skills in leadership and problem-solving as I was a co-lead of the group. These skills have been applicable to a lot of other involvements I have on campus." -Aeris

"The assistance provided by the Access Fund has been instrumental in my ability to participate in Buck-I-Serv, ensuring that financial barriers did not prevent me from engaging in meaningful service experiences. Without this support, I may not have been able to take part in the trip, which has significantly shaped my Ohio State journey.

Through Buck-I-Serv, I have gained firsthand experience working with communities affected by issues such as homelessness and poverty. These experiences have directly connected to my academic focus on gentrification and recidivism, deepening my understanding of the systemic challenges marginalized communities face. The Access Fund made it possible for me to step outside the classroom and immerse myself in service, reinforcing my commitment to advocacy and social justice.

Beyond the service itself, Buck-I-Serv has helped me grow as a leader and team member. Collaborating with diverse peers in unfamiliar settings has strengthened my problem-solving, communication, and adaptability skills. These lessons extend far beyond the trips themselves, influencing how I approach leadership and teamwork in my academic and professional pursuits. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the lasting impact it has had on my college experience." -Kristoffer

Over winter break 2024, Buck-I-SERV facilitated 9 trips to 3 states, Washington DC, and 2 international locations for over 90 participants. Together, they collectively completed over 250 hours of service. Our alternative break participants supported community-based efforts focused on access to housing and resources, survivors of human trafficking, youth experiencing incarceration, individuals with special needs, food-insecurity and accessibility, and more. Specifically, students helped to construct homes for families from under-resourced communities, built meaningful relationships with men experiencing homelessness in DC and youth experiencing incarceration in Atlanta and much more all while reflecting on their experiences and learning how issues impact our communities. Over 97% of respondents to our post-trip feedback survey indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their Buck-I-SERV experience.

“Buck-I-SERV has been such a consistent partner for us at RATL. My first year working with a student team was 2019 when they came in and flipped an old storage room into a functional computer lab for the students in our program. As a small organization with limited resources and a small staff team, we simply did not have the manpower to complete a project like this! We still use this space and I am always reminded of the team that came to RATL to "Be With" the families we serve and to create new, bright spaces for our families to grow and thrive! We are excited for more memories ahead. Thank you, Buck-I-SERV!” ~ Restoration Atlanta / Solomon’s Temple | Atlanta, Georgia (Community Partner)

“I have worked with Buck-I-SERV as both a teacher and Volunteer Coordinator. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with all the different students over the past 10 years. Being from Ohio myself, I always loved [when] OSU came to visit. While in the classroom, the students were really able to connect to our students and our community. Now as the Volunteer Coordinator, I get to facilitate their visits! Our Winter group came and helped at our Christmas warehouse and I'm proud to say they helped get Christmas [presents] out to 3,500 children in the Kansas City area in 2022! Unfortunately, a blizzard rolled in and cut their trip short by a day. The last group spent their mornings in our preschool classrooms helping close the educational gaps caused by COVID. Their afternoons were spent putting together 1,000 STEM kits for our School-Aged students! We are very grateful to OSU for sending their students to us!” ~ Operation Breakthrough | Kansas City, Missouri (Community Partner)

“Service can look like many different things to different people. Given individuals' unique strengths and talents, there is always something we can be doing to better our community and to work towards addressing various social justice issues. From my Buck-I-SERV experience, I have a greater appreciation for the privileges I hold and the positions of power these put me in. After learning more about various social justice topics, I now understand how this puts me in a unique role to serve others.” ~ Minnesota: One Heartland Trip Leader

“I learned a lot about a demographic that I was not previously familiar with. It was an amazing experience getting to know so many people and hearing their stories. I bonded with the kids we worked with so much quicker than I ever thought possible and hope that they feel as satisfied as I am with the experience. I never really thought about what it meant to be incarcerated as a young kid or what that is like for them mentally and emotionally. However, I’m so grateful that we got to talk to them and show that there are people who care about them and want them to be successful regardless of what they did in their past. I want to get more involved in juvenile justice in the Columbus area and tell people I know about my experience so they can also realize what it’s like from a different perspective and hopefully learn from it. I absolutely loved my trip and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in volunteering and working directly with others.” ~ Georgia: Medici Project Juvenile Justice Trip Participant

“My biggest takeaway is that there are many misconceptions about the homeless population and how much they have to deal with. I hope to bring awareness to the true challenges that the homeless population faces to both my community and on campus. I plan to look for opportunities to volunteer at homeless shelters in Columbus, as well as set up donation drives for necessities that educate the student body on the realities of living homeless. I think that the Father McKenna Center is a great choice to have for these trips and hope OSU students continue to serve there for years to come.” ~ Washington DC: Father McKenna Center Trip Participant

“This experience allowed me to not only do service for a site that reflects my own identities, but learn something new, as well as hopefully assisting students also get takeaways from the experience. I've gained a deeper knowledge about the camp environment as well as the importance of having a safe space for students. My goal is to bring back some of the ideas of safety and how I can create that environment in my own workspace.” ~ Minnesota: One Heartland Trip Advisor

“Buck-I-SERV continues to be an amazing program that I'm proud to be a part of. The experiences it provides to our students are truly transformational and impactful, and it is wonderful to be able to be a part of it and watch the growth that occurs on the trips." ~ Guatemala: Constru Casa Trip Advisor