Meet Our Volunteers
Christian Appalachian Project is blessed to have more than 50 long-term volunteers who have made a commitment of 12 months or longer to serve in eastern Kentucky. Motivated by a faith that demands action, these volunteers come from all walks of life, but are united by a desire to be the hands and feet of Christ in Appalachia. Many of these volunteers are available to speak to potential long-term volunteers. If you would like to talk to a current volunteer about long-term service at CAP, email us at volunteer@chrisapp.org.
Liz P.
Liz serves in the Volunteer Program office. She came to CAP from Illinois in September 2008 to join her husband, who is a CAP employee. The couple lives independent of a volunteer house.
Jennifer Z.
Jennifer is a 2009 graduate of Stonehill College in her home state of Massachusetts. Jennifer serves in Child and Family Development and lives in Johnson Volunteer House. She is volunteering because she wants to “make a difference and help others.”
Mary J.
Mary is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She came to CAP as a long-term volunteer in September 2009, having previously volunteered on a short-term basis. Mary lives independent of a volunteer house and serves in CAP’s Groups program, hosting and preparing meals for volunteer groups that serve with CAP for a week.
Tom R.
Tom came to CAP in March 2009 to help repair homes for CAP’s elderly participants. He is from Arizona and lives in Magoffin Volunteer House.
Sarah E.
Sarah graduated from Georgetown College in Kentucky before joining CAP in June 2010. She first came to CAP with her college for WorkFest. Sarah is serving at Grateful Threadz Thrift Store and is volunteering because “CAP sees the value in people for being people, human beings made in G-d’s image deserving of respect.” Sarah lives at Mt. Vernon Volunteer House.
Tamara F.
Tamara is from St. Petersburg, Florida. CAP was very excited to welcome this perennial Camp AJ volunteer as a long-term volunteer in September 2010. Tamara now lives just a short walk from camp at Jackson Volunteer House. She serves in the Housing program. Tamara says she is volunteering because “God called us to share the word and help those who can’t help themselves. I want to be a light and share God’s love to those who don’t know God.”
Kristi S.
Kristi, from Des Moines, Washington, was living in community with a group of sisters in Pittsburgh before joining the CAP volunteer community in August 2010. She lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House and serves as a caseworker in the Elderly Services program. Kristi hopes to “see Christ in everyone I meet” during her time with CAP. “I want to serve God’s people and this is where God has led me to be.”
Jim O.
Jim, originally from Wichita, Kansas, did volunteer disaster relief work in New Orleans for several years before joining CAP in August 2010. Jim is now living in Floyd Volunteer House and serves in the Housing program. He enjoys sharing his talents and abilities with others and hopes to “continue to give back” during his volunteer time with CAP.
Patrick K.
Patrick is a recent graduate of Keene State College in New Hampshire. He volunteers in Child an Family Development and lives in Floyd Volunteer House. “I am volunteering with CAP because I want to use my skills and abilities in any way possible to help others,” Patrick says. “I hope to learn more about myself and my connection with God.”
Kerri W.
Kerri began her long-term commitment with CAP in November 2010. She volunteered at WorkFest and summer camp before returning to fill one of Camp AJ’s year-long positions. Kerri lives in Jackson Volunteer House. Originally from Abington, Pennsylvania, Kerri chose to volunteer in Kentucky largely because of her previous experience with CAP. “I was hooked once I attended WorkFest when I was a sophomore,” she says. “I knew this area was special and this organization really made me feel appreciated.” Kerri is now in her second year of volunteering and serves in the Housing program.
Carrie H.
Carrie, a Smith graduate from Belchertown, Massachusetts, was working full-time when she heard about CAP from a couple of volunteer alumni. She says she quit her job and came to Kentucky because “God brought me here and I want to serve.” Carrie is hoping to use her time at CAP to further discern God’s plan for her. Carrie began her service at Healing Rain Substance Abuse Recovery Center in January 2011. She lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House.
Brian and Staci V.
Brian and Staci met as camp counselors at Camp Shawnee. Now they are married and back at CAP to volunteer full-time at the camp. Brian is originally from Martin, Kentucky, and Staci comes from Atlanta, Georgia. Brian has been around CAP his entire life, and after spending several summers as a camp counselor at Shawnee, he feels called to be a long-term volunteer there. Staci, who previously served as a long-term volunteer in Housing, feels the same way. “God has moved deeply in my heart for the children of eastern Kentucky, and continues to lead me back.” The couple lives at Camp Shawnee.
Jason S.
Jason, a Michigander, came to CAP in April 2011. Jason serves in the Grateful Bread Food pantry, a change of pace from his former occupation as a home health aid. His faith led him to leave Michigan for his new home in the Rockcastle Volunteer House: “God has predestined for me to be here for such a time as this.”
Debe P.
Debe joined CAP in April 2011 from Phoenix. She switched things up from her previous work as a legal secretary to volunteer full-time as an Elderly Services caseworker, providing visitation and transportation to homebound senior citizens. For Debe, moving to Johnson Volunteer House and serving in eastern Kentucky was a long time coming. “I have wanted to serve in the Appalachian region since I was a child,” she says. “The information I obtained showed CAP to be fiscally responsible, as well as totally interested in serving the poor of Appalachia.”
Judy S.
Originally from Indianapolis, Judy has also called Tennessee and Texas home before moving to Kentucky in July 2011. She lives independent of a volunteer house and serves in Family Advocacy.
Therese C.
“I want to serve and grow in community,” says Therese, who joined CAP in August 2011 from New York. Therese is a 2011 graduate of St. Joseph’s College New York, which is also the alma mater of Bridget McCormack, ’10-’11, who first told Therese about CAP. Therese now lives in Johnson Volunteer House and serves at Martin County Child and Family Development Center.
Leah C.
Leah is the fourth Stonehill College graduate we’ve had at CAP in the last three years, and we’re so happy to have her serving in the Family Advocacy program. Originally from Massachusetts, Leah now lives in Jackson Volunteer House. Leah chose CAP because she was drawn to the Appalachian region and because she hopes to discern “God’s calling for what He wants me to do in my life.”
Erin C.
From Ohio, Erin earned her degree in Psychology and English from Loyola University Chicago in May before joining CAP in August 2011. Erin now lives in Jackson Volunteer House and serves at Camp Andrew Jackson. Erin was attracted to CAP in part of because of the Volunteer Program’s commitment to Service, Community and Spirituality. “I believe that all three pillars are extremely important,” says Erin. “I want to make a difference in the lives of the people of Appalachia. I felt extremely welcome when I came to visit and I love the spirit of hospitality everyone at CAP shares.”
Kelsey D.
Kelsey arrived at CAP in August 2011 after earning her degree in business administration from James Madison University. Originally from New Jersey, Kelsey now lives in Johnson Volunteer House and serves in the Housing program. When asked why she chose CAP over other service programs, Kelsey emphasizes “the way they are committed to, and truly care for, their volunteers and the experience they will have. This was the #1 thing that made CAP stand out.”
Nicholas G.
Nick was working at a college in his home state of Illinois before joining CAP’s Housing program in July 2011. He plans to continue working in the non-profit sector after completing his volunteer year with CAP. “I am hoping that I will learn as much as possible about every aspect of non-profit work, so that my time here may segue into working for a non-profit.” Nick lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Chris G.
Chris volunteered at WorkFest three times with St. Peter’s College. A Staten Island native, Chris now lives at Johnson Volunteer House and serves in the Elderly Housing program. “I am hoping to learn how to be a more Christ-centered person,” says Chris. “I hope to become more able to discern God’s will in my life and how to best serve others.” Chris arrived at CAP in July 2011.
Colleen G.
Colleen, from Modesto, California, arrived as a long-term volunteer in September 2011, but she has volunteered in eastern Kentucky before with Loras College. Colleen now lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House and serves in Elderly Housing.
Tim H.
Who knew Facebook could changes one’s life? Tim discovered CAP through an ad on the social networking site. After exploring CAP a little more, he decided to choose CAP for a year of post-graduate service after earning his degree from the University of North Dakota in May 2011. This summer, Tim served as the lead counselor at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp, an experience that will serve him well as a long-term volunteer with CAP’s Camp Andrew Jackson. Tim plans to enter seminary after his time at CAP, and is volunteering in part “to learn how to incorporate practical community service into a church ministry.” Tim lives in Jackson Volunteer House.
Whitney H.
Whitney, originally from Winslow, Indiana, graduated from Hanover College before joining CAP in August 2011. She serves at the Family Life Child and Family Development Center and lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House. When asked why she is volunteering, Whitney says, “I want to serve God, help others and grow in my relationship with the Lord!”
Elizabeth L.
Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in secondary education. The Michigan native now calls the McCreary Volunteer House home and serves in the afterschool program at Eagle Child and Family Development Center. Elizabeth began her service in September 2011 and says she’s volunteering for CAP because “it’s a great opportunity for personal growth. I have been blessed with so many wonderful things in my life that I want to be able to help those who are less fortunate.”
David M.
David arrived at CAP in September 2011 to serve in the Housing program. David, who grew up in New Hampshire, decided to take a break from college to volunteer full-time. “I have been blessed with the life I have been given, and want to give back.” David lives in McCreary Volunteer House.
Julianna O.
Julianna first volunteered with CAP at Camp Andrew Jackson for several summers before becoming a long-term volunteer in June 2011. She serves in the Family Advocacy program and lives independent of a volunteer house with her husband Mike, ’08-’09, who is a CAP employee. “CAP has become part of my life,” Julianna says, “I wouldn’t feel right being anywhere else right now.”
Jimmy O.
Jimmy came to CAP in July 2011 all the way from Nevada, where he recently completed his studies at the University of Nevada–Reno. Jimmy teaches GED preparation at ABLE Familes, a CAP partner organization in West Virginia. When asked what he is hoping to learn from his service, Jimmy explained he wanted to learn “how to be more human, more loving, more faithful and more well-equipped for building God’s kingdom.” Jimmy lives in Floyd Volunteer House.
Katelyn P.
A 2011 graduate of SUNY Oswego, Katelyn joined CAP in August 2011. Katelyn is helping start the Elderly Housing program in Rockcastle County, where she will do minor home repair jobs for participants in CAP’s Elderly Services program. “I have been so blessed in my life,” Katelyn says, “and I want to give to those who are currently having a rough time and need some help.” Katelyn lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House.
Joe S.
Joe worked for the post office for more than 30 years before joining CAP’s Elderly Housing program in September 2011. He came all the way from California and now lives independent of a volunteer house. Joe hopes to grow personally and spiritually from his time at CAP.
Sarah S.
“This is where God wants me to be,” says Sarah, a 2011 graduate of Bethel University. We can’t think of a better reason to volunteer. Sarah, originally from Minnesota, lives in Jackson Volunteer House and serves as an Elderly Services caseworker. She’s volunteering not far from Beattyville, Kentucky, where she first volunteered in Appalachia on a mission trip with Cumberland Mountain Outreach. Sarah came to CAP in August 2011.
Kate T.
Kate, a 2011 MIT grad, arrived at CAP in September 2011 to serve in the Housing program. Originally from Maine, Kate now lives at McCreary Volunteer House. Kate, who is Catholic, is excited about learning from her housemates who come from different Christian backgrounds. “I want to live in an intentional Christian community and learn more about myself and my calling,” she says.
Eric W.
Eric graduated from Rhodes State University in Lima, Ohio, before joining CAP in August 2011. Eric lives in Floyd Volunteer House and serves in the Housing program. He hopes to walk deeper in his faith while at CAP.
Karen B.
Karen, originally from California, is now living in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House and serves at Rainbow Respite Center. She previously volunteered for a year at CAP’s Family Life Child and Family Development Center. She arrived for her second term in August 2011.
Janet F.
She’s back! Janet has served several terms with CAP over the past 10 years, serving as an Elderly caseworker in several different counties. This time she’s in McCreary County and lives in the volunteer house there. Janet began her latest term in September 2011.
Janet T.
Janet, whose background is in Human Resources, came to CAP from Virginia in January 2012 to volunteer in the Elderly Housing program. “I want to make an immediate, tangible difference in someone else’s life and to grow in my faith as a Christian,” Janet says. She lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Josh L.
Stonehill College strikes again! Josh is the fifth Stonehill College grad to serve with CAP since 2009, and we’re so glad he’s here. He arrived in January 2012 and serves at Grateful Bread Food Pantry. Josh hopes to learn “how to build relationships and impact people’s lives through loving others. ” He would also like to grow in his faith, and chose CAP in part because of the emphasis on daily devotions. Josh is originally from Massachusetts and now lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House.
Tricia B.
Tricia came to CAP from Texarkana, Texas, in January 2012. “I am called to missions, and I prayed to God about what I should do with that calling,” Tricia says. “He directed me to volunteer for this program, because people tend to overlook the poor in their own country.” Tricia serves in Eagle Child and Family Development Center and lives in McCreary Volunteer House.
Daniel L.
Daniel, from Salinas, California, came to CAP in January 2012. He is a recent graduate of Occidental College and now serves in the Housing Program. Daniel lives in Magoffin Volunteer House.
Greg S.
“It’s where I feel I am called to be right now,” says Greg of his service with CAP. Greg is a Louisville, Kentucky, native, though he is very clear that he “bleeds” Kentucky Wildcat Blue. He began his service term in Housing in January 2012 and lives in Floyd Volunteer House.
Don P.
Don, a retired school administrator and pastor, began his service with CAP in January 2012. From Apalachin, New York, Don now lives in Magoffin Volunteer House and serves in Elderly Services as a caseworker. Don hopes to “grow closer to Christ and better serve His people.”
