Christian Appalachian Project

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CAP Volunteer E-News - October 2007

Baby boomer volunteers

According to a recent report by the National Corporation for Community Service “baby boomers” (persons born between the years 1946 and 1964) are volunteering at much higher rates than previous generations. With many boomers approaching or already in retirement, volunteer programs are preparing for a surge in older long-term volunteers.

CAP has enjoyed the service of older volunteers for many years, but recently the Volunteer Program has made strides to further accommodate the needs of boomer volunteers and to take advantage of the specialized skills more experienced volunteers have to offer that may not fit into traditional volunteer placements. Two such volunteers are Martha and Larry Cowles, former senior officers for a major financial group who now volunteer their talents to CAP’s Substance Abuse Recovery Center. The couple spent several months developing programming for the center, and now Martha serves as the program’s manager.

Though volunteers of all ages are encouraged to live in one of CAP’s six volunteer communities throughout eastern Kentucky, CAP also offers an Independent Living option in which older and/or married volunteers may choose to live on their own during their volunteer time. Currently 11 of CAP’s 54 long-term volunteers, including 3 married couples, live independently.

Whatever a prospective volunteer’s age, CAP actively works with applicants to match their specific talents and experience to the needs of Appalachia.

Volunteer spotlight

"We began praying and asking God what He wanted for us and it soon became apparent that it would be the perfect time for us to do some volunteering before we began the second phase of our lives." --Rita and Randy Beckham, Human Services

Rita and Randy at a glance...

Hometown: Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Life before CAP: Bank president and CEO (Randy), retired secretary and homemaker (Rita)
Service placement: Human Services
Volunteer community: Independent living, Magoffin Volunteer House

Rita and Randy Beckham were familiar with CAP's work in eastern Kentucky long before becoming long-term volunteers in March 2007. Rita's father served on CAP's Board of Directors for many years, so she knew of the ample opportunities available to people of all ages. When she and her husband Randy decided to retire early and volunteer full-time for several months, CAP was the obvious choice.

Because both Rita and Randy possess a wealth of specialized experience and knowledge, CAP has asked them to serve on special projects rather than in one CAP's traditional volunteer placements such as home repair or elderly services. "I love that CAP tapped into what I really enjoy doing," Rita says of her volunteer placement in the president's office. An experienced secretary, Rita says she does not have a "typical" day, but is active in several administrative projects for CAP's president including drafting letters and creating presentations.

CAP is also blessed to have Randy's experience as a bank president and CEO. Randy has helped spearhead the initial phases of programs that aim to increase partnerships between CAP and local businesses and churches in Kentucky and around the country.

Check out CAP's Facebook page

For those who are not quite boomers (and maybe a few who are!) CAP has a Facebook group for current, former and prospective volunteers. View pictures from our projects and volunteer communities and have your questions answered by current volunteers. You can also join our Cause page!

Volunteer retreat offers opportunity for relaxation
and reflection

This month the Volunteer Program hosted a weekend retreat for CAP's long-term and short-term volunteers at Camp Andrew Jackson. Volunteers from CAP's six communities gathered to relax and reflect on their service. One highlight of the retreat was Friday night's contra dance (pictured above), a traditional folk dance popular among volunteers. The next volunteer retreat will be in May 2008.

Upcoming recruitment events

After visits to D.C., Baltimore, and Boston in October, CAP reps are headed to Minnesota and Pennsylvania in November. Check out our travel schedule to see if we will be visiting your college.

Urgent Volunteer Needs
application process required

CAP has immediate openings in the following programs:

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

Outreach Services: Provide 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.

Interested? Apply or request an information packet today! Click here to view descriptions for all CAP service programs.

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