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| Get Involved > General Info |
CAP Volunteer E-News - September 2007 |
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Disaster Relief
CAP's Disaster Relief program was originally formed in 2004, when unprecedented flash floods in far eastern Kentucky prompted CAP to send volunteers and employees to assist in clean up and recovery in this already poverty-stricken region. This initial experience led CAP to create a program to more effectively respond to future disasters. Since 2004, CAP has mobilized relief teams for natural disasters in the Appalachian states of Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, as well as beyond Appalachia in tornado-ravaged Florida. When CAP is unable to send volunteers, Operation Relief delivers much-needed supplies to devastated areas. CAP's most sustained response came in 2005 when CAP sent 147 responders over the course of nearly five months to assist Katrina victims in Mississippi. Disaster relief responds to Ohio flooding
In just a few short days, CAP volunteers performed needs assessment, cleaned out several damaged homes, and assisted in running a Red Cross shelter. Read more about CAP's response in Ohio. Now volunteers can be "on-call" for disaster relief
CAP welcomes 25 new long-term volunteers
This month CAP welcomed 25 new long-term volunteers, our largest orientation class since 2000. Representing 12 different states and ranging in age from 18 to 75, the newest crop of CAP volunteers are a diverse group committed to 9 months or longer of service to Appalachia. Rau'l Rodriguez, a three-time WorkFest veteran, came to CAP afer graduating from the University of Florida because he hopes to learn about "giving yourself to Christ in many ways." Rau'l is joined by 5 other new volunteers who previously volunteered with CAP's alternative spring break or summer camp before deciding to apply as long-term volunteers. After their week-long orientation, the new volunteers were formally welcomed at a commissioning ceremony that recognized each volunteers' new commitment to service, community and spirituality. More than 50 CAP employees and volunteers attended the service to welcome these dynamic men and women to the CAP family.
Volunteer Spotlight "I am volunteering because I want to serve God and grow spiritually and emotionally. I want to share my blessings with others"--Ross Peters
Hometown:Salem, Ohio At age 27, Ross Peters was already a success by most standards. He owned a small remodeling business with his brother, was pursuing an MBA at Youngstown State University, and still found time to volunteer with various organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in New Orleans. Still, Ross was searching for more, and he found what he was looking for at CAP. "I chose to look into volunteer organizations after I finished my time as the assistant director of Camp Frederick, an outdoor ministry camp located just outside of the Appalachian region," Ross said. "At that time, I needed a change of pace from construction and many individuals had suggested that I pursue some form of full-time ministry." Ross was looking for a Christian organization in Appalachia and found CAP through a web search. He joined CAP and Outreach Services as a long-term volunteer in May. Ross finds that meeting people "in so many different capacities - from home visits to emergency home improvements to emergency assistance to commodities [distribution for senior citizens] to Christmas baskets and even school readiness is the most rewarding aspect of Outreach." In August, Ross had a a chance to use his disaster relief experience to aid the CAP team in their Ohio response.
On the road again CAP Volunteer Program reps are back on the road visiting colleges in Ohio, Nebraska, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and more. Check out our travel schedule to see if we will be visiting your area. Urgent Volunteer Needs 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. Know someone who might be interested in CAP? Let us know and we’ll add them to our email list!
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When natural disaster strikes, people of all incomes are affected, but as Hurricane Katrina so devastatingly demonstrated, people who are already economically vulnerable often suffer the most.
In late August, Disaster Relief received a call from the Red Cross in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, asking for flood relief assistance. Within 24 hours, a team of CAP responders was on the way to respond in Upper Sandusky and other flooded Ohio communities.
If you want to help CAP but are unable to make a long-term commitment in Kentucky, CAP's Disaster Relief program now offers a new way to volunteer on a short-term, periodic basis.
Ross at a glance...
