Christian Appalachian Project is currently accepting applications for our August 2014 long-term volunteer orientation class. Long-term CAP Volunteers make a commitment of one year to Service, Community, and Spirituality in eastern Kentucky. These volunteers offer their education, experiences, skills, and compassion in fighting some of the region's most persistent challenges, including substandard housing, hunger, chronic poverty, domestic violence, and lack of education. While serving full-time, CAP Volunteers have the option to live in intentional communities that offer opportunities for faith formation and reflection.
In addition to a life-changing experience, long-term CAP Volunteers receive room and board, a modest stipend, limited travel reimbursement, vacation time, potential student loan deferment, and are eligible to receive health insurance. Most long-term CAP Volunteers also serve as AmeriCorps Members and are eligible to receive an education award of up to $5,550 for use toward student loans or tuition. The positions marked “AmeriCorps” below are AmeriCorps-eligible, dependent on the availability of AmeriCorps Education Awards.
Ideal candidates are compassionate, flexible, self-motivated, have great interpersonal and leadership skills, and are eligible to drive CAP vehicles (21 or older with a good driving record). Please see below for descriptions of our available positions. See our admissions timeline for application deadlines and interview schedules.
AmeriCorps Home Repair Crew Member: Substandard housing is the most visible sign of poverty in Appalachia. AmeriCorps Home Repair Crew Members serve in teams of 2-3 and assist the employee or volunteer crew leader in home repairs and new construction. Must be able to climb roofs, lift heavy objects, and serve outside in all seasons. Previous construction experience is preferred but not necessary. If not experienced, members will be expected to be quick learners and eventually act as assistant crew leaders for groups of 3-10 people. AmeriCorps Members are needed for both our Housing and Elderly Housing programs.
AmeriCorps Home Repair Crew Leader: Members skilled in construction and leadership are needed to serve as crew leaders for Elderly Housing work crews. Leaders serve with other long-term CAP Volunteers and short-term volunteer groups.
AmeriCorps Food Pantry Caseworker: Hunger is an often overlooked issue that many low-income families in Appalachia face. The Grateful Bread food pantry serves families and the elderly in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Caseworkers serve in teams with other CAP Volunteers, employees, participants, and volunteers from the local community to serve the walk-in food needs of families and organize monthly government commodities distributions to the elderly. Caseworkers also pick up food donations from local food banks and businesses and help to unload and organize food shipments. Requires heavy lifting.
AmeriCorps Elderly Services Caseworker: CAP’s Elderly Services caseworkers help seniors without other sources of support access the services, medical care, and human connection that would otherwise be absent. By providing services such as home visitation, transportation, social activities, and prescription assistance, caseworkers ease the effects of rural isolation and allow homebound seniors citizens to remain in their homes longer. Requires extensive travel by car; must be able to help elderly participants in and out of vehicles. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
AmeriCorps Early Childhood Educator: Early Childhood Educators serve preschoolers ages 3-4 in one of two Child and Family Development centers operated by CAP. Child development programs include teaching reasoning, communication, social, physical and emotional development as well as creative expression. Members serve with paid staff and other CAP Volunteers. Experience and/or a degree in early childhood education preferred.
AmeriCorps Disaster Relief Caseworker: Our Disaster Relief caseworker plays a key administrative role in the program by serving on local disaster relief committees, attending trainings, and training others. When disaster strikes, the Member will be involved in all stages of disaster response within Kentucky and other Appalachian states: preparation and loading of materials, relief work (mucking houses, distributing supplies), volunteer coordination, and clean-up and unloading of supplies and materials. This position requires a volunteer who is independent, self-starting, energetic, organized, likes to travel and has superior communication skills. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record. Experience in construction and/or disaster relief response a plus.
AmeriCorps Resident Support Specialist: Serves in one of CAP’s Domestic Abuse Centers for female domestic violence survivors and their children. Responsibilities include monitoring shelter activities and staffing the crisis line, conducting life skills classes, accompanying residents to court or social services offices, assisting staff in community awareness (speaking engagements, domestic violence awareness month activities), and providing activities, tutoring, and childcare for children living at the center.
AmeriCorps Camp Educator/Summer Camp Counselor: These Members are based out of Camp Shawnee and Camp Andrew Jackson. Educators serve in elementary and middle schools during the academic year to tutor students in academic subjects and teach a practical living curriculum, addressing topics such as anti-bullying, conflict resolution, nutrition, consumer awareness, and budgeting. Members also plan teen retreats at the camp and other events in the community, help camp staff maintain the facilities, and recruit campers in the schools and community. When summer camp is in session, members serve as camp counselors. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record. Teaching experience and/or education degree preferred.
AmeriCorps Family Advocacy Caseworker: Caseworkers in Family Advocacy program provide short-term emergency assistance, including food, utility assistance, household goods, and clothing. Family Advocacy caseworkers are often a participant’s first contact with CAP—they assess the needs, provide any necessary short-term assistance, and then make appropriate referrals to other CAP programs or community agencies. Caseworkers also help to organize CAP’s School Readiness, Christmas Basket, and Small Farms and Gardens initiatives. Caseworkers must be self-motivated and able to serve with limited supervision, as well as be comfortable communicating with other agencies and churches within the local communities. Some heavy lifting required. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
AmeriCorps Elderly Services/Housing Caseworker: This Member will spend roughly half his/her time as an Elderly Services caseworker and the other half taking home repair applications and helping to guide participants in CAP’s Housing or Elderly Housing programs through the home repair process. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
Thrift Store Associate: The Grateful Threadz Thrift Store provides the community with a place where individuals can find clean, high-quality new or gently used clothing at affordable prices in an environment that respects their dignity. All profits from the store help to fund other CAP programs. The volunteer at Grateful Threadz collaborates with employees and participants to keep the store clean and organized, sort donations, and perform retail functions.
Human Resources Trainer: Our Human Resources volunteer helps to research, plan, and coordinate training programs for CAP employees and volunteers. This volunteer will keep abreast of best practices and new advancements in the field and discover new training opportunities. They will also keep CAP informed of training opportunities by creating newsletters, flyers, and email blasts. This volunteer must have a degree in Human Resources or a related subject, 2-4 years of experience in the field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
Group Host/Cook: The Groups host works with church and college groups who serve in CAP’s home repair programs for a week. Hosts plan and prepare meals for groups, and may provide orientation to CAP. This member will serve out of multiple locations, so travel is required. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record. This position is ideal for people who love to cook and meet new people.
Foley Mission Center Group Host: The FMC Group Host acts as a liaison between the volunteer group and CAP’s Groups program. The Host welcomes groups on Sunday and orients them to CAP and the Mission Center, presents a “Perceptions of Poverty” program and facilitates a discussion on poverty in Appalachia, serves with the group at least one day on the Housing of Elderly Housing jobsite, takes jobsite pictures and produces a slideshow for the group to take home, and leads the group closing program on Thursday. Although cooking is not the primary responsibility of this volunteer, the position may occasionally require assisting the FMC Cook. This volunteer will also play a significant role in assisting with the hosting of college and high school alternative spring break groups during March and April. Position requires serving nights and weekends during group season (March-November). During non-group season, this volunteer may have the opportunity to serve in other CAP programs. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
Foley Mission Center Cook: The FMC Group Cook meal plans, shops, and cooks for groups serving out of the Foley Mission Center, including during WorkFest and YouthFest. Serves with the Groups Coordinator and under the supervision of the Volunteer Life Manager. Position will require serving nights and weekends during group season (March-November). During non-group season, this volunteer may have the opportunity to serve in other CAP programs. Must be 21 or older with a good driving record.
Questions? Contact us at 606-256-0973 or volunteer@chrisapp.org.
