About
Called to the Mountains
CAP Volunteers is the full-time service corps of Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), the largest human service organization serving the poor and marginalized in Eastern Kentucky. CAP was founded by Fr. Ralph W. Beiting (1924-2012)–a Roman Catholic priest–in 1964. Father Beiting created CAP as an interdenominational Christian organization, welcoming of staff and volunteers from a variety of faith traditions. CAP Volunteers may be long-term (one year), short-term (3 weeks-11 months), summer camp (3-9 weeks), or group (one week; 3 or more people) volunteers. We also have a need for part-time volunteers from the local community and occasional volunteers for our Disaster Relief program.
Our Mission and Guiding Principles
The Christian Appalachian Project is an interdenominational, non-profit Christian organization committed to serving people in need in Appalachia by providing physical, spiritual and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services.
Guiding Principles:
I. To promote the dignity and self-worth of individuals by promoting self-help.
II. To practice and encourage good stewardship of and accountability for all of the resources entrusted to us.
III. To foster individual growth among staff, volunteers, donors and program participants.
IV. To live out and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all of our actions.
V. To foster open, honest and effective communication both inside and outside the organization.
VI. To involve the Appalachian people at all social and economic levels in developing solutions to poverty.
The Pillars
CAP Volunteers are committed to CAP’s mission and Guiding Principles, and also to three essential and equally important pillars: Service, Community, and Spirituality. Each day CAP Volunteers arise early to engage in hands-on Service on construction job sites, in preschools and grade schools, in food pantries and domestic violence shelters, and in the homes of the elderly. Though some volunteers choose to live on their own, most CAP Volunteers live in intentional Community, making a commitment to eating dinner together four nights a week, sharing in household chores, and supporting one another. CAP is interdenominational, and our volunteer communities are a vibrant collection of individuals from diverse faith backgrounds. Four nights a week after community dinner, volunteers gather for devotion to reflect on the day’s service. For many CAP Volunteers, making a commitment to the pillar of Spirituality means growing closer in their relationship with God. For others, this pillar is about personal reflection and growth.
If you are seeking an organization where you can simply volunteer and receive room and board, CAP Volunteers may not be for you. But if you’re looking for a place to not only serve, but also live in community with mission-minded people and experience spiritual and/or personal growth, we want you as a CAP Volunteer. Over the past 50 years, tens of thousands of volunteers have served with CAP for a week, a summer, or a year. God continues to call committed individuals to serve Appalachia, and we hope you will answer that call.
Recruitment Events
We want to meet you! See if a CAP Volunteers representative is coming to an event near you.
Meet Our Volunteers
CAP has a corps of more than 50 long-term volunteers serving Eastern Kentucky.
Where We Serve
CAP Volunteers serve in eight Eastern Kentucky counties.
Poverty in Appalachia
Eastern Kentucky has some of the highest poverty rates in the United States. The challenges are many, and the opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ are plentiful.
What We Do
CAP Volunteers serve mission-critical functions in a variety of programs targeting the poor and marginalized. Our programs focus on self-help and uplifting young people. We don’t have “clients,” but we do have participants who not only receive service, but are also actively engaged in our ministry alongside volunteers and staff.
Staff
Made up of CAP Volunteers, alumni and lifelong Kentucky residents, the CAP Volunteers staff are passionate about recruiting compassionate volunteers and supporting them during their service. Shoot us an email or give us a call–we are happy to answer your questions.
E-News
Read our monthly CAP Volunteers newsletter.
