Volunteer Voices

I was placed in Mount Vernon House this year, located in Rockcastle County right across the street from Rockcastle House. Once pandemic precautions went into place at CAP, I started serving from within the volunteer house (instead of in the usual office), and proceeded to move to my own apartment afterwards (while continuing to serve remotely). This is not typically an option for volunteers who have elected to live in community, but CAP made it an option for volunteers living in community in these extraordinary times.

When I joined Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)'s Camp Shawnee for a service year, I knew that I would be tutoring children in local schools. I expected certain challenges. What I didn't plan on was the schools closing completely due to COVID-19.

As a Housing volunteer and AmeriCorps member, my last day out on the jobsite was the final Wednesday in March, the 25^th. That's about two weeks after March Madness was canceled and all the craziness with the coronavirus flared up.

What's so special about 8:13 p.m?

Every day, my watch alarm buzzes at 8:13pm—a reminder of community. McCreary House has just three volunteers—Julia, Kody, and myself—and while some may think that community living as a volunteer would benefit from a larger group, my experience here has been nothing short of special and memorable.

In "Hills and Valleys," Tauren Wells sings about high points (mountains) and low points (valleys) in the life of faith:

"Would anyone like a cup of coffee?" has become a common question at the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Johnson Volunteer House.

My housemate Lenore, a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, always seems to know when I most need a caffeine boost. And it is needed often. On early mornings when even getting out of bed seems an insurmountable task, the question is more than just a kind offer. It is an encouragement that I can accomplish my goals for the day. It's a reminder that I am not alone in service.

Why CAP?

If you could wake up tomorrow and change the world for the better, would you do it? What price would you be willing to pay? Would you give up the chance to go on a vacation? A job promotion? How about dedicating a year of your life to the cause?

As the traditional cheer of the 2019 holiday season settles into our memories, many find hope in 2020, not only as the beginning of a new year but also as the start of a whole new decade. Of course, not everyone agrees that 2020 is actually the start of a new decade; since there was no "year 0," 2021 would mark the 201st ten-year increment since the beginning of the Common Era. Nevertheless, I remain firmly committed to the view that 1/1/2020 is the proper date to mark the new decade.

We asked Long-term Volunteer and AmeriCorps Member Tim Fasano to share a little about the Christian Appalachian Project Volunteer Program pillars of Community and Spirituality. See what he had to say!