Christian Appalachian Project

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CAP Volunteer E-News - April 2008

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also
excel in this grace of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:7

More than 40 groups from colleges and universities around the country
converged upon eastern Kentucky in March for WorkFest, CAP's
alternative spring break program. For the 17th year, WorkFest provided
a strong cultural, spiritual and service-learning experience for more
than 400 students. College volunteers teamed up with CAP's long-term
and short-term Housing volunteers and homeowners to repair 21 homes
for families in need. Pictures of the jobsites will be available soon
at www.christianapp.org. For now, Facebook users can view them here.
Thanks to all of our awesome WorkFest volunteers!

View this year's participating schools

The most tiring summer you'll ever love

by Amblyn Allen, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator

Ambyln (left) taking a break with other counselors at Camp Andrew Jackson
As a CAP employee I am lucky to be able to occasionally take a break
from my usual work to spend a week serving where there is a special
need. So this summer I will once again "escape" from the Volunteer
Program to spend a week as a camp counselor. I will take a break from
my air conditioned office, eight hour work days, and comfortable home
to spend a week getting chigger bites, working 15 hour days, and
sleeping on a creaky bunk bed.

Why I choose to do this is hard to explain. Why volunteers come back
year after year to serve for no money is even harder to explain. There
are camps all over the country that will pay their counselors, but
these people do it for free.

Once I get to camp I quickly remember why it is a special place. I
don't love camp because I am particularly fond of canoeing, or because
I love to make up skits (I, in fact, avoid skits like the plague), or
because I just can't get enough tater tots. What makes camp special is
when the toughest kid in your group asks you to sing to him before he
goes to sleep or when the carnival games on the field deteriorate into
a giant shaving cream and water fight. What I remember is the
counselors throwing each other in the lake on Friday after the kids
leave. It is hard to explain the "vortex of energy"--as one counselor
calls it--that camp is, but I promise it is an experience that will
not be forgotten.

So, if you have a few free weeks this summer and are looking for a
challenge, come join us at camp. I guarantee total exhaustion,
inexplicable itchiness and the sweet satisfaction of knowing you have
spent your time doing something truly worthwhile.

Join Amblyn at camp this summer. Request an application today!

Deadly tornadoes hit Appalachia, CAP volunteers respond

Tornadoes and strong storms in early February killed 54 people and
destroyed thousands of homes and churches in parts of Appalachia. When
news of the severity of the destruction hit CAP, Operation Relief
immediately sprung into action, sending truckloads of water, clothing
and other essentials to the effected areas. These supplies are donated
to CAP by generous corporations throughout the country.

Along with supplies, CAP also sent a team of volunteers and employees
to Macon County, Tennessee. Disaster Relief volunteers partnered with
local organizations to provide any needed assistance, from mudouts to
case management.

CAP's Disaster Relief teams include not only CAP employees and
long-term volunteers, but also individuals who are in a position to
volunteer part-time and join a CAP team when disaster strikes. If you
would like to be notified of when CAP is putting a Disaster Relief
team together, contact Disaster Relief Director Sherry Buresh at
sburesh@chrisapp.org.

Volunteer Spotlight

"I am volunteering with CAP because I believe can use what God has "

--David Hegstrom, Housing

David at a glance...

Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Current College: University of Illinois at Chicago
Service placement: Housing
Volunteer Community: McCreary Volunteer House

When David Hegstrom came to eastern Kentucky last summer to volunteer
at Camp Shawnee, he expected to return to college at the end of the
summer. After experiencing CAP service and volunteer life, he realized
God had other plans for him.

David began his volunteer time at CAP as a camp counselor, a position
he found both challenging and rewarding. "Summer camp consists of
being like a kid (playing games, splashing around in the pool, etc.)
and being an adult," David says. "[You have to be] an authority that
can be respected and keep at least a reasonable degree of order among
a group of children. It is also a time of having great friendships
with fellow counselors."

David credits the friendships he made at camp for his decision to take
a year off from school to volunteer in the Housing program. "The
experience of so quickly becoming a part of a great group of Christian
friends--living, playing, and working together in community--provided
encouragement for me when considering the prospect of staying on as a
long-term volunteer." David also describes the fellowship he has
experienced with other volunteers as the most rewarding part of his
volunteer time.

After his volunteer time is complete in June, David will return to
Illinois to finish his engineering studies. He may have started out as
a short-term volunteer, but his service is certain to have a long-term
impact.

Urgent volunteer opportunities
application process required

Summer Camp: Counselors, lifeguards and medical personnel (registered
nurses, EMTs, etc.) are needed to serve 2-9 weeks in one of CAP's two
summer camps serving children from low-income families in eastern
Kentucky. Because our camps are staffed primarily by volunteers,
campers' families are charged just $10 for a week of hiking, swimming,
games, arts & crafts and much more. Camp volunteers receive full room
and board, and those serving the week of June 9-14 will have the
opportunity to volunteer at and receive free admission to the Ichthus
Festival in Wilmore, Kentucky. Camp dates are June 1 - August 1.
Urgent long-term volunteer opportunities
application process required

Though CAP accepts applications year-round for all service positions,
we have immediate openings for long-term (serving 9 months or longer)
volunteers in the following programs

Family Advocates (formerly Outreach Services): Provides emergency
assistance (utilities, household goods, materials for emergency home
repairs) and on-going needs assessment for a large caseload of
families facing financial crisis and long-term poverty. Outreach
caseworkers also organize School Readiness and Christmas Basket
programs for one or more counties. Must be able to work independently.
Great position for someone with an interest or background in social
work.

Housing: Assists the lead person with the work activities of the
housing workers, volunteers and homeowners to perform home repairs/new
construction on houses/property. Provides services to persons wanting
to improve their living conditions. Must be able to climb to roof and
endure outside weather.

Elderly Services: Provides services such as home visitation,
transportation, social activities, prescription assistance and various
other services which decrease isolation and increase socialization of
homebound senior citizens.

Child and Family Development: Offers birth to five-year-old children
experiences in all areas of child development: cognition,
communication, social, physical and emotional development, as well as
creative expression. Encourages participation of the whole family
through home visits, parenting classes, and involvement in the center.
Program also includes a family literacy program called "Families
Growing Together" which includes both parents and children. Components
cover early childhood education, adult education, parent-child
interaction, and parent groups. Must be energetic and flexible, as
well as love children. Some Child and Family Development centers also
offer programs for middle and high school children.

Adult Education: Provides educational services for adults, both in a
classroom setting and in students' homes. The program focuses on
increasing/improving academic, vocational and computer literacy
skills, as well as enhancing the student's opportunity for
employment/career relation and/or advancement through improving
employability skills.

Interested? Apply or request an information packet today!
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