Our 21 new long-term volunteers come from 11 different states
This fall, Christian Appalachian Project welcomed 21 new long-term volunteers eager to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in Eastern Kentucky. They will tackle the issues of poverty, education, substandard housing, hunger, community engagement, domestic violence, and aging in Appalachia. Read below to meet some of these outstanding individuals who will spend the next year in service to the poor and marginalized. To join these men and women and become part of our January orientation class, apply today.
Katherine B.
Kate recently earned her degree in Psychology from Assumption College in Massachusetts, her home state. In August 2012, Kate began a year of service with Eagle Child and Family Development Center and joined the McCreary Volunteer Community. “I want to experience a new part of the country and challenge myself to explore what it means to practice the Christian way of living,” Kate says. “I’ve gone to Catholic school my whole life, and the fact that CAP is a kind of multi-denominational, ecumenical approach is appealing. I’m hoping to open up my own faith life, learn about different approaches, and understand how we all can work better together to fight poverty and isolation.”
Christine B.
Christine arrived in August 2012 from Litchfield, Ohio. A graduate of Hiram College with a degree in Accounting and Financial Management, Christine lives in the Jackson Volunteer Community and serves in Elderly Services. She heard about CAP from Catholic Volunteer Network.
Erin G.
Also arriving in August 2012, Erin serves in the Family Life Child and Family Development Center and is a member of the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Community. She recently earned her degree in Early Childhood Studies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. ”I am hoping to learn more about God, and his heart for poverty and justice through serving with CAP,” Erin says. She was attracted to CAP in part because of the emphasis on community living.
Kirby G.
Kirby recently graduated from Bellarmine University with a degree in Psychology. From Cincinnati, Kirby served with CAP three times through Bellarmine’s alternative spring break program. She looks forward to serving with Family Advocacy and living in the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Community. “I enjoy helping others and want to grow deeper in my faith,” Kirby says. “CAP stood out because its volunteers served in community in a rural part of the country that doesn’t get much attention.” Kirby joined CAP in July 2012.
Christina L.
Christina joined CAP from Hamilton, Ohio, in August 2012, fresh off of earning her degree in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio. Christina is a member of the Jackson Volunteer Community and serves in Elderly Services. She learned of CAP through an internet search. “I want to make a difference in Appalachia and grow in community with others,” says Christina. “I am hoping to learn more about living in community and to grow closer with God.”
Lauren M.
Lauren first came to CAP for WorkFest (CAP’s alternative spring break program) in 2011, and then served with us as a short-term volunteer that summer. Lauren returned in July 2012 as a long-term volunteer advocating for domestic violence survivors. She is a member of the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Community. Lauren is from Rhode Island and recently graduated from American University, majoring in Law and Society. “I’m hoping to learn more about God’s presence in people’s lives during hardship,” Lauren says. “Serving in a domestic violence shelter, I am constantly surrounded by poverty greater than a lack of resources or income, but a poverty of betrayal, of feeling unloved, of being alone. We have the opportunity to fight poverty in this form each and every day by establishing a community of survivors to support one another throughout their healing process and help them to become safe and get back on their feet.”
Pamela D.
Pam began her service in July 2012 as an Elderly Services caseworker. From Salem, Oregon, Pam says she made the move to Kentucky because ”I am hoping to grow in my relationship with the Lord and my understanding of loving service to and fellowship with others, be they participants or other CAP Volunteers/staff. I want to learn to be vulnerable with others and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit. I am hoping to learn how to care less about my own comforts and more about the comfort of others.” Pam is a member of the Johnson Volunteer Community.
Cindy F.
Cindy, who began her service in September 2012, is from Ohio but has family in the area. She recently retired from teaching and writes that she was attracted to CAP in part because “I have always wanted to be a missionary. I want to honor God in a more real way than I felt I was doing before.” Cindy serves in CAP’s Human Resources office, taking on special projects and helping to coordinate CAP’s Wellness initiative for employees and volunteers. Cindy lives independent of a volunteer house.
Bev H.
Bev, who comes to CAP from Portland, Oregon, came out of retirement to volunteer for a year as an Elderly Services caseworker. She began her service in September 2012 and says she is volunteering because “it has given me the most amazing opportunity to serve others and volunteer without the need of being employed to make money to live on.” Bev lives independent of a volunteer house.
Samantha A.
Sam comes to CAP from Arizona and is a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Applied Science. She joined CAP Volunteers in August 2012 and serves in the Grateful Bread Food Pantry. Sam chose CAP primarily because of its location. “I’m from a place the size of Lexington but have always been drawn to small town living,” she says. “CAP was an amazing opportunity.” Sam is a member of the Rockcastle Volunteer Community.
Jessica V.
Jess began her service in September 2012 as a Housing crew member. From Milford, Pennsylvania, Jess decided to put her studies at East Stroudsburg University on hold to do a year of service. “I am volunteering with CAP because I want to contribute to making others’ quality of life a little bit better,” Jess says. “It’s a hands-on project with the people you are helping and a tighter community you are embraced in.” Jess is a member of the Jackson Volunteer Community.
Emily B.
Emily is a recent high school graduate from Yorktown Heights, New York. She arrived at CAP in August 2012 for a year of service with domestic violence survivors. Emily is a member of the Rockcastle Volunteer Community.
Emily B.
Emily joined CAP as a Camp Shawnee volunteer and realized that long-term service was for her. She began her year-long commitment as an Elderly Services caseworker in September 2012. Originally from St. Louis, Emily now calls the Floyd Volunteer House home. “I am volunteering with CAP because I love serving the Lord and all His people,” Emily says. “I love the mountains and all the precious people who call Kentucky home. I am so blessed to serve with CAP in doing the Lord’s work. It is encouraging to be in an organization full of people committed to investing in these people and sharing the love of Christ. CAP is a great display of the Body of Christ in action, with each person using their God-given talents and gifts, working together for God’s greater plan.”
Burnell (Bunny) C.
Bunny recently retired from teaching to volunteer with CAP as a Family Advocacy caseworker, arriving in September 2012. From the state of Washington, Bunny will call McCreary House home for the next year. ”I am volunteering with CAP because as I looked into the program I felt drawn to it,” Bunny says. “I wanted to serve God in this way and it just seemed to fit me.”
Bryan L.
Bryan is taking a hiatus from his studies at College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University to volunteer for a year in CAP’s Housing program. The Minnesota native began his service early as a camp counselor at Camp Shawnee and began his year in Housing in August 2012. ”I would like to learn how to better serve others,” Bryan says. “I want to learn about my participants and how I can be of help to them both while I am at CAP and after CAP for people also in need.” Bryan is a member of the Johnson Volunteer Community.
Allison W.
Allison, from Lebanon, Ohio, was studying at Xavier University when she heard the call to volunteer for a year. She began her service at Grateful Bread Food Pantry in August 2012. She chose CAP in part because of its “Christ-centeredness.” Allison is a member of the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Community.
Molly B.
Molly volunteered at Camp AJ for two summers, and is now a one-year volunteer at Camp, teaching practical living in elementary schools and serving at a community center. Prior to becoming a long-term CAP Volunteer, Molly served two years in Micronesia with Jesuit Volunteers International. Molly is from Woburn, Massachusetts and is now a member of the Jackson Volunteer Community.
