working to serve Creighton at the intersection of sustainability, community living, and service to our town.
WHAT is ReNest?
In 2021, Jays for Dignity, organized by NuRhoPsi, initiated the first ever Creighton Spring Move-out furniture collection campaign. Rebranded Jays ReNest to (hopefully) be more obvious to the goal from the name, ReNest volunteers collect gently used furniture, small appliances, and clean linens. Dumpster after dumpster is filled every Spring as Creighton dorms and apartments decamp for the summer. While some stuff (for real!) needs to be thrown out, much COULD be repurposed if we had a way to do so easily. ReNest is the way. With campus drop off locations staffed every day after final exams, it could not be easier to live the Creighton mission.
Does this really do anything?
In 2023 we sent ~5 box trucks (and a Uhaul from the Creighton retreat center) of goods from Creighton move out to our community partners.
When everyone does a little, we are able to do a lot.
What does it mean? Well, futons donated in 2022 were in homes the same day they arrived at the warehouse. Members of our community, our neighbors, were not sleeping on the floor because one by one, Creighton undergraduates, faculty, and staff took the time to donate rather than destroy.
Our Community Partners:
Have you ever met a dude and thought “I hope I grow up to be like him?” If not, you need to meet Drew Gerken, the entire team at the Furniture Project, and their partner organization Restoring Dignity.
These people aren’t talk, they are walk. Day in and day out, the hard work of service, teaching, and community empowerment. When you visit their website, take some time to watch the video and story posted there, it will make you proud to live in Omaha!
Both organizations also accept donations and come to pick up materials year round. You can wait for us or contact them RIGHT NOW.
AND new in 2024 we are excited to partner with Together Omaha and assist in their work helping our neighbors move away from homelessness.
How do I get involved?
Its not much! All we need you to do is plan ahead. Make a collection of what you can donate. Make sure its clean. Make sure its a priority to drop it off … parents may be antsy to pack you out but they can wait or help you carry!
OR donate 2 hours. That’s right, only two hours. Our sites are open strategically to make it EASY to donate but also to serve without it affecting your studying. You will see the call for volunteers in April and the signs everywhere in May.
Who’s crazy idea is this anyway?
The original idea was born out of the Nu Rho Psi Neuroscience Honors Society in 2021. That Spring, Omaha was receiving Afghan refugees literally running for their lives during our military withdrawal. Knowing that Omaha receives a huge number of refugees each year, but 2021 was extra, we wanted to do something. While NRP continues to be involved, this project is too big for any single group, we are Creighton-wide!
As of the Jays ReNest rebranding, ReNest is organized by Dr. King and the CCAS Mission Catalysts (Dr. Murray point of contact) in partnership with Creighton Housing and Auxiliary Services. Support and advertising support comes from Creighton Sustainability, SCSJ, and basically every Department and student group we can beg to help distribute our call for volunteers and donations!
King Lab at Creighton University 