Our new volunteers (not pictured: Nancy Tabor)
On Thursday, February 11, 2010, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Volunteer Program officially welcomed 13 new long-term volunteers at its winter Commissioning Service. Although some have been serving since October, many are just beginning their CAP journey.
One of those new arrivals is Ed Riehl, 64, from New York City. Ed is experienced in both long-term service and non-profit administration: before joining CAP he volunteered for Peace Corps in Ukraine and then worked for the organization as a recruiter. Because Ed was looking for a domestic program with a spiritual component, he joined CAP in February to volunteer in the President’s Office. His administrative role in CAP makes him one of several nontraditional volunteers: retirees or baby boomers who are using their extensive work experience to benefit Appalachia. When asked why he chose to volunteer again, Ed explained, "I believe everyone should use his or her time responsibly serving the human community." Ed lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
New volunteer Nancy Tabor
Ed is joined in Johnson House by Molly and Kyle Lueken, 25 and 26, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Kyle and Molly began their journey at CAP in October 2009, taking a break from their careers to serve Appalachia. Kyle volunteers in Housing while Molly teaches G.E.D. classes at on of CAP's partner agencies in West Virginia.
Though some married volunteers choose CAP’s Independent Living option, Molly and Kyle jumped at the opportunity to live at the Johnson House. “I wanted to live in a Christian community and experience that with my husband,” Molly said. "God led us here!"
Living in Christian community was also a deciding factor for new volunteer Bridget McCormack, 22, from Islandia, New York. “I chose CAP over AmeriCorp NCCC because of the spirituality component,” Bridget explains. “Only CAP could surround me with a community of prayerful support as I went on my personal journey.” The 2009 St. Joseph’s College grad lives in Jackson Volunteer House and volunteers in Elderly Services.
After a week of orientation to learn about CAP, Appalachian culture, and to grow together as an orientation class, this diverse group of volunteers was formally welcomed in a Commissioning Service at Mountain Community Fellowship in Paintsville, Kentucky.
To learn more about Ed, Molly and Kyle and Bridget, visit our Meet Our Volunteers page.
