On September 15, 2011, Christian Appalachian Project commissioned the 22 long-term volunteers who have joined the program since July. These new volunteers spent the week in orientation at Camp Andrew Jackson learning CAP rules and guidelines (boring, but necessary) and also attending workshops on cooking in community--which means working with a limited budget and being attentive to dietary needs of 4-14 other people--leading devotions in an interdenominational setting, and handling conflict. The volunteers also had the opportunity to spend time in prayer and reflection and get to know the people with whom they will be sharing the next year of their lives.
The Commissioning ceremony is an opportunity for long-term volunteers to publicly declare their commitment to the three core values of CAP volunteer life: Service, Community and Spirituality. After hearing a reflection on each value, each volunteer signs a covenant representing their intent to live these values at CAP. Volunteers who have extended for another term of service also had the opportunity to recommit themselves to CAP.
Though all CAP volunteers are essential to our mission, we do recognize our long-term volunteers as a people set apart, singularly dedicated to being the hands and feet of Christ and making eastern Kentucky their home for the next year. Please take a moment to learn more about some of these 22 outstanding men and women.
Vickie Citter
Vickie arrived at CAP in September 2011 from Nashville, Tennessee, where she was working as an elderly care provider. She is continuing her service to the elderly as an Elderly Service caseworker with CAP. "I've looked at volunteer programs for over two years," says Vickie. "CAP called to me because of being Christian based, community focused and having a wide range of activities and programs to participate in." Vickie lives in Jackson Volunteer House.
Therese Costello
"I want to serve and grow in community," says Therese, who joined CAP in August 2011 from New York. Therese is a 2011 graduate of St. Joseph's College New York, which is also the alma mater of Bridget McCormack, '10-'11, who first told Therese about CAP. Therese now lives in Johnson Volunteer House and serves at Martin County Child and Family Development Center.
Leah Coughlan
Leah is the fourth Stonehill College graduate we've had at CAP in the last three years, and we're so happy to have her serving in the Family Advocacy program. Originally from Massachusetts, Leah now lives in Jackson Volunteer House. Leah chose CAP because she was drawn to the Appalachian region and because she hopes to discern "God's calling for what He wants me to do in my life."
Erin Cusick
From Ohio, Erin earned her degree in Psychology and English from Loyola University Chicago in May before joining CAP in August 2011. Erin now lives in Jackson Volunteer House and serves at Camp Andrew Jackson. Erin was attracted to CAP in part of because of the Volunteer Program's commitment to Service, Community and Spirituality. "I believe that all three pillars are extremely important," says Erin. "I want to make a difference in the lives of the people of Appalachia. I felt extremely welcome when I came to visit and I love the spirit of hospitality everyone at CAP shares."
Kelsey DeVesty
Kelsey arrived at CAP in August 2011 after earning her degree in business administration from James Madison University. Originally from New Jersey, Kelsey now lives in Johnson Volunteer House and serves in the Housing program. When asked why she chose CAP over other service programs, Kelsey emphasizes "the way they are committed to, and truly care for, their volunteers and the experience they will have. This was the #1 thing that made CAP stand out."
Nicholas Galiardo
Nick was working at a college in his home state of Illinois before joining CAP's Housing program in July 2011. He plans to continue working in the non-profit sector after completing his volunteer year with CAP. "I am hoping that I will learn as much as possible about every aspect of non-profit work, so that my time here may segue into working for a non-profit." Nick lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Chris Giorlando
Chris volunteer at WorkFest three times with St. Peter's College. A Staten Island native, Chris now lives at Magoffin Volunteer House and serves in the Elderly Housing program. "I am hoping to learn how to be a more Christ-centered person," says Chris. "I hope to become more able to discern God's will in my life and how to best serve others." Chris arrived at CAP in July 2011.
Colleen Greene
Colleen, from Modesto, California, arrived as a long-term volunteer in September 2011, but she has volunteered in eastern Kentucky before with Loras College. Colleen now lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House and serves in the children's program at one of CAP's domestic violence centers.
Tim Haas
Who knew Facebook could change one's life? Tim discovered CAP through an ad on the social networking site. After exploring CAP a little more, he decided to choose CAP for a year of post-graduate service after earning his degree from the University of North Dakota in May 2011. This summer, Tim served as the lead counselor at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp, an experience that will serve him well as a long-term volunteer with CAP's Camp Andrew Jackson. Tim plans to enter seminary after his time at CAP, and is volunteering in part "to learn how to incorporate practical community service into a church ministry." Tim lives in Jackson Volunteer House.
Whitney Helton
Whitney, originally from Winslow, Indiana, graduated from Hanover College before joining CAP in August 2011. She serves at the Family Life Child and Family Development Center and lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House. When asked why she is volunteering, Whitney says, "I want to serve God, help others and grow in my relationship with the Lord!"
Lois Lockhart
Lois, who began her service with CAP in September 2011, is certainly no stranger to service. Before beginning her year with CAP's Disaster Relief program, Lois served as a missionary in China teaching ESL. Lois originally applied to be a CAP volunteer more than 10 years ago when she decided to go back to school instead to earn her M.Div. We're so glad the timing is finally right for Lois to serve with us. She lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Elizabeth Longcore
Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in secondary education. The Michigan native now calls the McCreary Volunteer House home and serves in the afterschool program at Eagle Child and Family Development Center. Elizabeth began her service in September 2011 and says she's volunteering for CAP because "it's a great opportunity for personal growth. I have been blessed with so many wonderful things in my life that I want to be able to help those who are less fortunate."
David McCarthy
David arrived at CAP in September 2011 to serve in the Housing program. He grew up in New Hampshire and decided to take a break from college to volunteer full time. "I have been blessed with the life I have been given, and want to give back." David lives in McCreary Volunteer House.
Julianna O'Brien
Julianna first volunteered with CAP at Camp Andrew Jackson for several summers before becoming a long-term volunteer in June 2011. She serves in the Family Advoacy program and lives independent of a volunteer house with her husband Mike O'Brien, '08-'09, who is a CAP employee. "CAP has become part of my life," Julianna says, "I wouldn't feel right being anywhere else right now."
Jimmy Owsley
Jimmy came to CAP in July 2011 all the way from Nevada, where he recently completed his studies at the University of Nevada--Reno. Jimmy teaches GED preparation at ABLE Familes, a CAP partner organization in West Virginia. When asked what he is hoping to learn from his service, Jimmy explained he wanted to learn "how to be more human, more loving, more faithful and more well-equipped for building God's kingdom." Jimmy lives in Floyd Volunteer House.
Katelyn Phillips
A 2011 graduate of SUNY Oswego, Katelyn joined CAP in August 2011. Katelyn is helping start the Elderly Housing program in Rockcastle County, where she will do minor home repair jobs for participants in CAP's Elderly Services program. "I have been so blessed in my life," Katelyn says, "and I want to give to those who are currently having a rough time and need some help." Katelyn lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House.
Joe Sellner
Joe worked for the post office for more than 30 years before joining CAP's Elderly Housing program in September 2011. He came all the way from California and now lives in Magoffin Volunteer House. Joe hopes to grow personally and spiritually from his time at CAP.
Sarah Smith
"This is where God wants me to be," says Sarah, a 2011 graduate of Bethel University. We can't think of a better reason to volunteer. Sarah, originally from Minnesota, lives in Jackson Volunteer House and serves as an Elderly Services caseworker. She's volunteering not far from Beattyvile, Kentucky, where she first volunteered in Appalachia on a mission trip with Cumberland Mountain Outreach. Sarah came to CAP in August 2011.
Kate Turner
Kate, a 2011 MIT grad, arrived at CAP September 2011 to serve in the Housing program. Originally from Maine, Kate now lives at McCreary Volunteer House. Kate, who is Catholic, is excited about learning from her housemates who come from different Christian backgrounds. "I want to live in an intentional Christian community and learn more about myself and my calling," she says.
Eric Wenning
Eric graduated from Rhodes State University in Lima, Ohio, before joining CAP in August 2011. Eric lives in Floyd Volunteer House and serves at the Martin County Child and Family Development Center, a change of pace from his previous experience with CAP as a WorkFest participant. He hopes to walk deeper in his faith while at CAP.
Olga Zeglinksa
Olga, who recently graduated from the University of Chicago, is a WorkFest veteran, and her experience with the alternative spring break program led her to apply to be a long-term volunteer. Olga now lives in McCreary Volunteer House and serves at the Eagle Child and Family Development Center. "CAP feels like home," says Olga, who also cites her campus minister at U of C, Laura LeCompte, '07-'08, as a big influence on why she came to CAP. She arrived at her new home July 2011.
