This essay was written by Shannon Alford, a long-term volunteer in CAP's Substance Abuse Recovery program.
My decision to volunteer lasted about seven years. When I was a freshman in college I had set my sights towards getting a business degree and moving to New York, but in the back of my mind a much stronger desire was lingering, my call to serve. I was unsure how I was going to survive (financially, emotionally, physically) simple living. I knew I wanted it, but I wasn’t convinced it would be worth the risk in the long-run. Inevitably, I would be proving myself wrong.
I finally started listening to my call to serve my junior year in college. I went on a mission trip to Camden, NJ. I was blown away by the poverty that was surrounding me. After the mission ended I wanted more, but once again that little voice was saying, “How are you going to survive?” Upon graduating from college, I began working for my Alma Mater. Two years into my career at the college I was asked by our campus minister to chaperon a trip to Eastern Kentucky. At this point I had planned on going back home to Indianapolis for a week, but once again that voice in my head was calling me to go to Eastern Kentucky. I agreed to go and unbeknownst to me this would be the moment that would change my life forever.
The week spent at WorkFest was filled with genuine love, compassion and change. We would wake up early in the morning, eat breakfast and be on our way to the building site. I wasn’t just blown away by the volunteers and employees at CAP, but by the people of Appalachia. After that week I knew I had found where I was supposed to be.
My personality is not made for building houses, but I would eventually learn about the other wonderful programs CAP has to offer. When they mentioned they had a substance abuse recovery center, I could feel my mind and my heart finally agreeing on something. That feeling was God calling me to this place and for once I finally listened. I came to CAP in January 2009. I have experienced more life-changing moments in one year than I have in the rest of my life. My faith in God has grown in a mature and loving way. For that I am thankful.
