“I wanted people to get their hands dirty and their feet muddy.”
-- Father Ralph Beiting (1924-2012), Founder of Christian Appalachian Project
Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), a nonprofit human services organization serving the poor and marginalized in Appalachia, is seeking home repair volunteers for several projects we have underway in Eastern Kentucky this fall, including a new home for a family in need.
Though the number of homes without electricity or running water in Eastern Kentucky has largely decreased in the past 50 years, the region still has a disproportionate number of families living in substandard housing: homes with more people than rooms, leaky roofs, no insulation, inadequate heat, and unstable floors. Our goal at CAP is to make homes warm, safe, and dry for low-income families with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Homeowners are full participants in all CAP home repair projects. Participants provide "sweat equity," which can come in the form of work on the home or providing coffee and meals for volunteers and crew leaders. Participants also contribute 1/3 of the materials costs, and CAP works with participants to design a no-interest payback plan that fits in the homeowners' budget. For major projects and new home construction, CAP helps the participant secure no- or low-interest financing. CAP provides 2/3 of the materials costs and labor, which is where volunteers come in.
Home repair volunteers do not necessarily have to be skilled in carpentry, but they do have to be willing to get their hands dirty, serve outside in hot and cold weather, climb up on ladders and get on roofs, and be a fast learner. Volunteers serve under the direction of a skilled CAP employee crew leader.
Short-term CAP Volunteers serve 3 weeks - several months and receive room and board. Long-term volunteers make a commitment of 12 months and receive room and board, a modest monthly stipend, health insurance, potential student loan deferment, and a potential AmeriCorps Education Award for those who qualify. All CAP Volunteers are invited to make a commitment to Service, Community, and Spirituality: volunteers serve 40 or more hours a week, live in intentional community, and eat and pray with their housemates four times a week.
If the values of Service, Community, and Spirituality resonate with you, we hope you will apply to serve with us a home repair volunteer. Our application process is thorough, but if you have what it takes to join our mission, it will be an experience that will change your life forever.
Appalachia needs your service. Apply today to serve God and make a difference in the lives of the poor and marginalized. We are currently accepting applications for both short-term and long-term home repair volunteers. We also have volunteer opportunities serving children, the elderly, and the hungry in our food pantry.
