FAQ

Questions & answers for prospective short-term and long-term volunteers:

Contact info/About CAP
How can I reach someone in the Volunteer Program office if I have questions?

You can reach us by phone at 606-256-0973 or 1-800-755-5322 (toll free), or by email at volunteer@chrisapp.org. Our mailing address is 4192 North Wilderness Road, Mt. Vernon, KY 40456.

Are you affiliated with any particular Christian denomination or church?

CAP is an independent nonprofit primarily funded by individual donors and churches rather than a particular denomination. We are an interdenominational Christian organization, and our volunteers come from a variety of faith traditions and participate in daily prayer led by one another. Openness to diversity is necessary for community life.

Does CAP foster a “simple” lifestyle?

CAP strives to practice good stewardship in the houses and programs, and encourages volunteers to be conscientious about their use of CAP resources. All volunteers are asked to make a special commitment to environmental stewardship and care of creation, which may include recycling, conscientious energy consumption and gardening.

About volunteering with CAP

Who volunteers for CAP?

We are blessed to have volunteers from all age groups, from young people just out of high school, to people in mid-career, to retirees and everyone in between. Our volunteers come from all over the United States and from many different backgrounds, professions and diverse faith experiences. Their commonality is that they feel called to serve in Appalachia and want to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. Meet our long-term volunteers.

How long is the commitment?

We ask short-term volunteers to commit a minimum of three weeks of service. Long-term volunteers serve 12 months initially, with an opportunity to request additional terms, reviewed annually. Our summer camp volunteers typically make a minimum commitment of two weeks.

I can’t serve for three weeks. Can I come for one week?

In most circumstances, our programs require volunteers who can make a commitment of at least three weeks. Nurses with a Kentucky or compact state license who are available for summer camp or skilled construction volunteers who can serve as WorkFest crew leaders in March may be eligible for a 1-2 week commitment. Some programs may have special events in the summer requiring extra help, so shorter opportunities may be available during certain weeks in the summer. Additionally, 1-2 week opportunities may be available for volunteer alumni, space permitting. Prospective volunteers desiring a one week commitment should contact the office about the opportunities above or consider forming a group.

I am retired. Am I too old to volunteer?

No! CAP recognizes the unique gifts, knowledge and experience that “encore career” volunteers have to offer, and about a fourth of our long-term volunteers are 50 or older. Though volunteers are encouraged to live in community when possible, many retired volunteers have found that the Independent Living option better suits their needs.

Can I volunteer with my spouse? My significant other? My children?

We encourage married couples to serve with us. Both individuals must complete separate applications and be accepted. Unmarried or engaged couples are welcome to apply and serve with us, but they may not live in the same volunteer house. We cannot accommodate short-term, summer camp or long-term volunteers with dependent children. Families with children age 14 or older may serve for a week as a group.

Can I bring my pet with me?

Unfortunately, volunteers cannot bring their pet with them out of consideration for housemates who may have allergies. If you must bring your pet with you to Kentucky, you will need to find your own housing.

Applying to be a CAP volunteer

What are you looking for in a volunteer?

We are seeking compassionate, mission-driven individuals who possess an exceptional amount of flexibility, maturity and openness to people who may be very different from themselves. Moreover, we’re looking for volunteers who are passionate about serving the poor and marginalized and ready to fully immerse themselves in their service and community. You don’t necessarily have to be a master carpenter or have a wealth of nonprofit experience–we can teach the particular skills necessary to perform in your service position; what we’re really looking for when we evaluate applicants are the qualities that we can’t teach.

Our ideal candidate is 21 or older, though we will consider exceptional applicants ages 18-20. Keep in mind that not all service positions are available to applicants younger than 21. Also, applicants age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license and a good driving record will have a wider range of placements available to them, but we do accept non-drivers for certain programs.

Do I have to apply by a certain date? How long does the application process take?

Although CAP accepts short-term volunteer applications year-round, we typically have just two admissions cycles for long-term volunteers.

Fall 2012 Admissions

Applications currently being accepted and reviewed. Apply today!
With three weeks of application submission:  Coordinator of Admissions will contact applicants and schedule interviews as necessary.
May-August: Applicants are interviewed on-site (preferred) or by phone/Skype. Interviewees will be notified of acceptance within two weeks of the interview.
August 1–September 16: Volunteers arrive to begin their service.
September 16-20: Volunteer orientation.

Winter 2013 Admissions

November 2, 2012: Application due (with references to follow soon afterward).*
Within three weeks of application submission: Coordinator of Admissions will contact applicants and schedule interviews as necessary.
November 2012-January 2013: Applicants are interviewed on-site (preferred) or by phone/Skype. Interviewees will be notified of acceptance within two weeks of the interview.**
January 2013: Volunteers arrive to begin their service.
Late January/Early February (dates TBD): Volunteer Orientation.

* Although we strongly prefer to receive applications by November 2, we will continue to accept applications until positions are filled.

** Applicants who submit their applications prior to November 2 may be interviewed earlier.

Short-term and Summer Camp applicants can expect to hear from the Coordinator of Admissions three weeks after we receive a completed (including references) application.

The application is a little long, isn’t it?

You bet it is! Applying to be a CAP volunteer is more thorough than applying for a job because volunteers not only serve in our programs, but also live in our facilities and with our volunteers. We work with some of the most vulnerable members of society, so we want to make sure we know you and you know us before welcoming you aboard. Making a commitment to full-time service, even if just for a few weeks, isn’t something to be taken lightly, and we see the application as part of your discernment process. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that all the volunteers you live and work with at CAP have gone through the same thorough process. If you have any questions or concerns about the application, please do not hesitate to contact us.

May I submit my resume?

A resume can be a wonderful supplement to the application, but you may not submit a resume in lieu of an application.

My pastor does not know me very well. Whom else may I use as a reference?
We offer several suggestions for individuals to choose as references, but we’re really looking for anyone who can recommend you for service and speak to your suitability to serve in an organization that values service, community and spirituality. We prefer that you do not ask immediate family to serve as references, and we would have questions about applicants who only chose friends as references and did not have any supervisors, professors, ministers, etc. Other than that, we are open to whomever you choose to recommend you.

Credit check? Why do you need to know my credit history?

We don’t! The Fair Credit Authorization forms that you sign and return with your application simply allow us to obtain your criminal background check and driving records. We will not see any financial information. Confusing name, simple process.

How likely is it that I will be accepted?

The CAP Volunteer Program has a thorough application process, which includes a national background check and input from three references. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Once the Volunteer Program office and the appropriate program manager(s) review your application, our admissions coordinator will contact you to discuss your application and the program placement you are most interested in. Promising long-term applicants will be invited to interview with our staff in the Volunteer Program office as well as with several program managers. We feel that it is for your benefit so that you can make the right decision about your service. Following your return home, you and CAP will reflect upon your visit to ensure a mutual match. We are not a competitive program, but we are selective. In other words, we will attempt to find placements for all qualified applicants, but we do not select all who apply.

Financial concerns

How can I afford to volunteer?

Volunteering for an extended period of time is a significant sacrifice for many people, but CAP is able to provide some resources to make volunteering more affordable. We offer room and board to all individual volunteers, and for long-term volunteers, health insurance benefits and a monthly stipend of $150. While volunteers are welcome to bring their personal vehicles, CAP provides transportation to and from service sites.

****  Important Tax Information****  Any long-term volunteer receiving a stipend or other benefit(s) such as health insurance, room and board and any other monies that are paid on the volunteer’s behalf by CAP will receive an IRS form 1099 from CAP by January 31 of the following year.

Even though you may not directly receive any money for some of these benefits, they are paid on your behalf by CAP. They will be reported to the IRS as non-employee taxable income.  This generally can amount to several hundred dollars or more in income tax and/or social security tax, which is the volunteer’s responsibility to pay. CAP is not able to help with this added tax liability and recommends that all applicants consult a professional tax advisor about the impact this may have on their personal taxes.  In many cases it may be advisable that quarterly tax estimate payments be paid.

Can I defer my student loans?

In most cases, yes. Volunteers need to request deferment forms from their lending agency and then turn them in to the Volunteer Program office for validation. Deferment is the choice of the provider, but most CAP volunteers are able to defer federal student loans. Volunteers with federal loans should also explore the option of income-based repayment, which could be as little as $0/month while you are volunteering. When available, the AmeriCorps Education Award qualifies volunteers for mandatory loan forbearance and up to $5,350 for student loan repayment or future tuition expenses.

Do you offer health insurance for volunteers?

Long-term CAP volunteers are eligible for health benefits. Volunteers who elect to keep existing insurance are eligible for reimbursement of their premium costs of up to $147.51 a month. For questions about health insurance benefits please contact Amy Schill at the Volunteer Program office at 606-256-0973 or 1-800-755-5322.

Life at CAP

What exactly is community living?

Currently, CAP has seven volunteer houses located throughout eastern Kentucky. All houses have a shared living room space, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Living in community means more than simply sharing living space: it is an intentional commitment to sharing time together as members of the Body of Christ. All volunteer houses share dinner and prayer four nights a week, and this time is an indispensable part of living in a CAP community.

Most CAP volunteers live in community at the volunteer houses, although some volunteers choose to find their own housing near their service site. CAP offers an Independent Living option for volunteers who are 50 years old or older and/or are married who prefer to live on their own. This option includes an increased stipend, in addition to all other benefits offered to long-term volunteers.  Independent Living volunteers still participate in community living by attending dinner and devotion at their assigned volunteer house at least twice a month. Please call the Volunteer Program office to learn more.

What do volunteers do for fun?

In their free time, many volunteers go hiking, attend local concerts and festivals, explore nearby towns, relax, read, etc. CAP is surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, which offer plenty of opportunities for camping and other outdoor activities. Also, there are two volunteer retreats and several social gatherings throughout the year. CAP’s volunteer communities are relatively close to one another, so houses often plan their own social activities together.

What should I bring with me?

All volunteer houses are fully furnished, including bedding and towels. Though space is limited, volunteers are encouraged to bring books, music and other personal items. A complete list of items to bring will be sent to all volunteers upon acceptance into the program.

Life after CAP

What do volunteers do after serving with CAP?

Because CAP volunteers are diverse in terms of age and background, their paths after their term of service vary. Some go to grad school, some join or reenter the workforce, while others begin or continue their retirement. CAP alumni work in a wide variety of career fields, the most popular being education (29%), human services (18%) and health science (10%).

What kind of support does CAP offer to former volunteers?

The CAP Volunteer Alumni Network seeks to connect our more than 2,000 active former volunteers to CAP and to each other through a tri-annual newsletter and networking groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.  We also maintain a database of alumni willing to serve as networking contacts for other former volunteers and current volunteers. Click the “alumni” link above to see all of the services available to volunteer alumni.

More questions? Give us a call at 606-256-0973 or click the “Contact Us” link above. We’d love to hear from you.