News

Christian Appalachian Project understands that full-time volunteers do not have to be twentysomething to make a difference. On the contrary, we recognize that second-career volunteers offer experience and expertise that Appalachia needs. About a third of CAP’s long-term volunteers are 55 or older, and CAP welcomes single and maried retirees to apply for any of our individual volunteer opportunities.

With the Fall semester coming to a close, many high school and college seniors are eager to have a set answer to the question, "What are you doing after graduation?" While some are scrambling for jobs or wading through a mountain of college or grad school applications, a small but growing group of young people are listening to that still small voice that is calling them to something more.

For more than 20 years, CAP and its volunteers have had a commitment to serving persons with developmental and physical disabilities. Sometimes that means caring for a participant’s basic needs. Sometimes that means educating the community about persons with disabilities and their inherent dignity. Sometimes that means dancing.

Fox Valley Mission, a group of nearly 50 skilled construction workers from the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, have become accustomed to taking on CAP projects that needed to get done…fast. Last year, the group built a house from the ground up for a family in McCreary County during their short week’s stay. When CAP made the decision that Camp Andrew Jackson needed major renovations over the next year, they knew the right group for Phase One.

Three times a year, Christian Appalachian Project welcomes new long-term volunteers at a week-long orientation. While the September orientation is always the largest, this orientation class exceeded all expectations with a record 27 volunteers. The number was impressive, but even more notable was the caliber of people who gathered at Camp Andrew Jackson last week.

Even as CAP expects to welcome another record-breaking number of long-term volunteers at our upcoming September orientation, our volunteers needs have expanded greatly in the past several years. As a result, we are still in need of dedicated, faith-driven volunteers to serve in several key positions, including Child and Family Development, Elderly Services and in our warehouse.

Most of the families CAP serves live on a limited fixed income, so budgeting for school supplies and new clothing can be difficult when paying regular monthly bills is already a struggle. To ensure that the children of Eastern Kentucky start school off on a level playing field, regardless of their parents' income, CAP volunteers in Family Advocacy help to distribute grade-appropriate school supplies and clothing each July.

For Shawn we had a tremendous out pouring of support. Many of you were willing to take this young man into your lives and your homes. His story of nearly making it, on his own only to be thrust back into the clutches of poverty and despair was truly a heart wrenching ordeal for all who were watching. We are so pleased now to ease your worries about Shawn.

For Jeremy, CAP was able to host a baby shower on Sunday, March 22. With your kind donations we were able to get two large items; a high chair and an infant car seat, leaving only a double stroller yet to be bought. CAP was also able to provide many small items such as bottles, diapers, lotions, pacifiers, clothing and other necessities.

For Courtney and her family we received an anonymous gift intended to purchase a used car that will allow her mother Angel to put her GED to good use by accepting a new job; no more walking 8 miles to town, either. Also we delivered the many clothes, personal hygiene items, school supplies and toys to her whole family that were so kindly delivered to our door from many of you.