seek to serve
MVNU's many Community and Service Ministry Opportunities (CoSMO) groups encourage students to engage in service in the local and surrounding communities and discover their passion and ways they can give back.
CoSMO groups are student lead, and student initiated. We live in a community with a lot of needs & these groups were created over the years to address the various needs or Knox and surrounding counties.
Below are the groups for the current academic year. Please note these groups will be modified in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.
Where: Creative Foundations (downtown)
Partner: Creative Foundations
What: MVNU Students spend time with adults with developmental disabilities, forming relationships and doing fun activities together!
Where: Escape Zone, 1 Old Mansfield Rd
Partner: The Escape Zone
What: Spending time with the youth of Knox County through providing a safe place to hang out on Friday nights! Rooms are full of ping pong tables, pool, board games & basketball!
Where: Campus Center (classroom 300)
Partner: Linus Project
What: Making blankets for children in the foster care and adoption systems as well as children in long term hospital care so that they have something to call their own during the many different transitions they will go through in their lives.
Where: Bailey Conference Room
Partner: Local nursing homes
What: A crafting and knitting group that makes and donates items to local nursing homes.
Where: Local elementary schools
Partner: Mount Vernon Local Schools
What: MVNU students are partnered with a local elementary school student to have lunch and play at recess together weekly. This is a great way to be a role model and impact a child’s life.
Partner: Knox County Starting Point
What: GROW is dedicated to empowering young girls to reach their full potential by becoming confident & effective leaders in their communities.
Where: Various cities
Partner: Various non-profits and Churches
What: An urban ministry focused group that partners with ministries and organizations through weekend trips and service.
Where: Vernon Ridge Apartment Complex
Partner: Vernon Ridge Apartment Complex
What: Assembles bagged lunches & travels to the apartment complex to build solid relationships, teach bible lessons, play games, make crafts & eat the prepared PB&J lunches with the children that live there!
Where: Birch Lobby E
Partner: Various Partners
What: Nursing students coordinate various community events throughout the year, including screenings, first aid stations, blood drives, etc. The group also visits a local nursing home each week.
Where: Country Club Retirement Campus
Partner: Country Club Retirement
What: This group ministers to the elderly community through fellowship and various activities, bringing joy to them.
Baillie Bryan, '19“I am so thankful for the friendships I've made and for the transformation God has made in me.”