It’s heartbreaking to hear stories about parents unable to care for the needs of themselves and their little ones, having no choice but to depend on their families for assistance. Often the responsibility falls to the grandparents of the young children. Due to hardship falling on their parents, Alex, Cody & Katelyn are in this situation. We thank God for the providence of so many of these grandparents when faced with tough situations. But, often, the grandparents still struggle to provide for their grandchildren. The cycle of poverty is rough in the mountains of Appalachia. Jobs aren’t easy to come by, income is slim, and food is expensive. Home conditions are poor and poverty of the spirit overwhelms. Christian Appalachian Project works each day to offer a glimmer of hope to those who need it most.
Katelyn is one year old and has two older brothers, Cody and Alex. Until recently, they had been placed in the custody of their grandparents, Jack and Darlene. During this time, Katelyn and Cody were enrolled in CAP’s Parents Are Teachers program, while Alex attended the Child and Family Development Center preschool program.
Parents Are Teachers is a home-based, early intervention program for infants and children with defined disabilities, developmental delays or who are considered ‘at risk’ for delays. With the philosophy that ‘the parent is the child’s most important teacher,’ the staff focuses on providing education to the parents on ways to actively engage their child in social, cognitive, sensory and motor development skills.
Alex began going to the Child and Family Development Center where he was able to interact with children his age, learn basic skills, and eat a wholesome meal each day. Jack and Darlene were appreciative of the help received from these programs, but as days went by, Jack and Darlene realized they needed more help with the day to day essentials. They knew they had to face some tough decisions. Should their limited income go toward diapers for Katelyn, food for the boys, or medical care for themselves?

Having nowhere else to turn, Jack contacted Suzann Fenton, Parents Are Teachers Developmental Interventionist, to ask if CAP could help. Suzann brought the concern to Becky Kana, Child and Family Development Center Program Manager and Becky kindly referred them to several of CAP’s programs. Through her referral, they began their visits to Grateful Bread Food Pantry and Grateful Threadz Clothing.
Jack and Darlene were given food for their family, baby food for Katelyn, diapers, clothing, and other essential commodities. During Christmas, the family was part of the Christmas Basket distribution in which each of them were sponsored by a donor to have Christmas presents and a meal provided for their holiday. Jack and Darlene don’t know how they would have made it without CAP. They are so thankful and want others to know of the lifeline that CAP provides in difficult times.

Alex at the Child and Family Development Center