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Post-graduate service with Christian Appalachian Project


Photo: Seth Willard

“I have never been this blessed in my life. No, I’m not making my millions, but I have a nice house to live in with everything I could possibly need provided for me. I live in a community that challenges and prospers me both personally and spiritually. I serve a humble, gracious, and generous group of people who are not only helping me grow and become a stronger Christian, but are also introducing me to their culture, their history, and their life.”–CAP Volunteer

More than just a job–a chance to make a difference

Each year, thousands of recent college and high school graduates dedicate a year to post-graduate service. These individuals are not “taking a year off;” they are dedicating their time to enriching communities, growing in faith, and serving the poor as Christ taught us.

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) relies on these young men and women to help us serve the poor and marginalized in Eastern Kentucky, which has some of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Though CAP does not set an upper age limit on long-term (12 months) volunteers, a significant percentage of our volunteers are recent high school or college graduates. A post-graduate volunteer with CAP can apply to a number of service programs tackling the issues of poverty, substandard housing, hunger, education, and more. In addition to serving 40 hours a week, long-term volunteers are invited to make a commitment to intentional Community and Spirituality through shared meals and devotions.

Benefits

Long-term volunteers receive a multitude of benefits from their service time, including

  • Immersion into the communities they serve
  • Intentional Christian community
  • Valuable job-related experience
  • Two retreats per year, one of which focuses on vocation (i.e. “Life after CAP”)

Even though volunteers receive many intangible benefits, it is important to note that making a long-term commitment can be a significant financial sacrifice. CAP offers the following benefits to long-term volunteers to help make volunteering more affordable:

  • Room and board
  • Monthly stipend
  • Health insurance
  • Potential student loan deferment
  • Potential AmeriCorps Education Award to repay eligible student loans and/or pay tuition expenses
  • Participation in the Volunteers Exploring Vocation program and the opportunity to apply for a $10,000  fellowship for first year seminarians in a Master of Divinity or eligible Masters program oriented toward ministerial leadership (Must be 35 or younger to apply for the fellowship)

Join us

Photo: Christina Amenta

We’re looking for people passionate about serving God by serving the least among us. To become a long-term CAP Volunteer, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum age of 18 years old (21 for positions requiring driving)
  • Complete a volunteer application, including a complete driving records check, three personal references, and a national background check
  • Be personally interviewed by CAP Volunteers staff and service program managers
  • Pass a drug screening upon arriving at CAP to begin your service
  • Driver’s license and a good driving record for most positions

We are looking for volunteers who are dependable, flexible, mature, self-starting, fast learners, sensitive to other cultures, religions, etc., able to live in community, have a sense of humor, and have a desire to serve others. For most programs, we can teach the particular skills needed to perform in your service position, what we can’t teach is a compassionate heart and a passion for serving the poor and marginalized.

Want to learn more? Request an application packet or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter today!