Kesem was founded in 2000 as the vision of five college students at Stanford University. Innovation, empathy, and leadership are in our DNA. That’s why we continue to center our work through the volunteer efforts of empathetic and enterprising college student volunteers.
When you join a Kesem chapter, you’ll make an immediate and transformative impact on the lives of children affected by a parent’s cancer - a population of more than 5 million. You’ll also build friendships that will last for years. While your experience with Kesem will grow and challenge you in new ways, it will also create genuinely rewarding moments. For everything you put into this volunteer experience, you’ll get even more back.
Our supportive community is invested in your leadership development through and beyond college. As a member of our network of more than 5,300 students across the country, you’ll learn the ins and outs of hands-on nonprofit management, including fundraising, programming, and marketing. After college, you’ll join more than 13,000 alumni that share your experience and are eager to help you grow and develop along the way.
Regardless of your role as a student volunteer, we’ll provide you with ongoing training and guidance to help you be successful at Kesem and your professional life after college.
You will work alongside highly motivated peers to help organize and lead all aspects of the local chapters. Student leaders primarily receive training through Fall Training, which occurs at the start of the academic year. Additional year-round support is then provided and determined based on your student leader role.
Students who take on leadership positions also have the opportunity to attend our National Leadership Summit, where over 700 student volunteers come together annually to network and attend tailored training tracks.
