About

In 1950s, Fr. Ralph Beiting–a young Catholic priest and soon to be CAP’s founder–became the pastor of churches in three rural counties in eastern Kentucky. He didn’t find many Catholics, but he did find an incredible amount of need, a need to which he knew God was calling him to respond. He in turn called on his friends and family to help provide goods and support. It was through Fr. Beiting’s determination and the continuing enthusiasm of those first volunteers that Christian Appalachian Project came to be. Today, CAP is an interdenominational organization serving all 13 Appalachian states. The CAP Volunteer Program remains focused on our core service region of eastern Kentucky, and over the past 50 years 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.

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.

Why We Serve
Eastern Kentucky has some of the highest poverty rates in the United States.

What We Do
CAP volunteers serve mission-critical functions in a variety of programs targeting the poor and marginalized.

Volunteer Program Staff
We are happy to answer your questions about volunteer service.

E-News
Read our monthly Volunteer Program newsletter.