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One-year Christian Appalachian Project volunteers make a commitment of one-year to our volunteer program pillars of Service, Community, and Spirituality, with an option to apply for an additional year. Volunteers are eligible to receive a modest stipend, room and board (or living allowance), health insurance, and travel reimbursement. Individuals enrolling in AmeriCorps are also eligible for an Education Award for qualifying federal student loans and education expenses, and may qualify for federal student loan forbearance.
Learn about the experience firsthand from one-year volunteers in this video and scroll down the page for examples of different placements that are available. Don't see a placement that you are interested in? Contact us to see what other opportunities can be found at CAP. You can also read some reflections on vocation from Jimmy Owsley '11-'30 here.
How to Join Us
We are looking for volunteers who are dependable, resilient, mature, self-starting, fast learners, compassionate, open to diverse faith expressions, and mission-minded. If that's you, apply today or contact us to learn more. We'd love to tell you more about our mission and how you can make an impact!
CAP welcomes one-year volunteers in January and August. Our admissions process includes an application, criminal background check, and personal interview. Admitted volunteers must complete a drug screening upon arrival. To apply, follow the link at the top of this page.
Service Placements
Service placements include education, hunger and poverty relief, and volunteer hospitality. Contact us for complete position descriptions of any of our service placements.
Early Childhood Educator: Serving in one of CAP's two Child and Family Development centers, our Educators help teach reasoning, communication, and creative expression while promoting preschoolers' social, physical, and emotional development.
Camp Educator/Summer Camp Counselor: Based out of CAP's two Summer Camps, these volunteers teach a practical living curriculum and tutor reading as well as other academic subjects in elementary and middle schools. Educators also help facilitate a Teen Leadership program, help camp staff maintain the facilities, and recruit campers in the schools and community. When summer camp is in session, they serve as camp counselors or other camp staff.
Youth Worker: Serving children ages five and older, the Youth Worker designs presentations and after-school activities to engage students in academics, the arts, and recreational activities, and assists children and teens with homework in all subject areas. In the summer, the Youth Worker leads activities such as field trips or day camps.
Hunger and Poverty Relief
Home Repair Crew Members/Team Leaders: Substandard housing is the most visible sign of poverty in Appalachia. Home Repair Crew Members assist the crew leader in home repairs and new construction and help to lead the many mission groups who serve with us throughout the year.
Food Pantry Associate: Associates serve on a team to provide supplemental food assistance to low-income families and the elderly.
Elderly Services Caseworker: These volunteers help seniors without other sources of support access the services, medical care, and human connection that would otherwise be absent.
Family Advocacy Caseworker: Caseworkers provide short-term emergency assistance, including food, utility assistance, household goods, and clothing. Family Advocacy caseworkers are often a participant’s first contact with CAP—they assess the needs, provide any necessary short-term assistance, and make appropriate referrals to other CAP programs or community agencies. In some instances, this will include referrals to CAP's Housing program.
In-Home Respite Assistant: The Respite Assistant provides respite services in the family’s home/community to children/adults/elderly who are developmentally, physically, and/or mentally challenged. Responsible for providing daily care to participants according to specific training and participants’ individualized care needs, including bathing, feeding, nurturing and implementing activities that encourage recreation, socialization, and independence.
Thrift Store Associate: Our thrift store is a community gathering place and provides much need clothing and household good to people in need. Volunteers sort donations, steam clothing, help keep the store clean and organized, help organize community events and perform retail functions.
Volunteer Hospitality
Mission Groups Facilitator: These volunteers serve with church and college groups who serve with CAP for a week. Facilitators plan and prepare meals for groups, and may provide orientation to CAP.
One year volunteers are part of CAP's Volunteer Corps, individuals serving three weeks or longer who make a special commitment to the program pillars of Service, Community, and Spirituality.
Service
Volunteers serve in programs that work in conjunction with one another to bring timely assistance to people in need and strengthen struggling communities. We call the individuals and families we serve “participants” rather than clients–all who receive services from CAP are also full participants in the mission through program involvement, volunteering, or monetary payback for building materials or other services received. Appalachia is a region of many assets, and our programs seek to respect and promote the dignity and self-worth of all involved.
Community
We believe that service cannot be performed in isolation–volunteers must engage with each other, with the larger CAP community of employees, with participants, and with the broader local community. Our hope is that in a small way, our volunteer communities serve as a microcosm for the larger Body of Christ, challenging people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to support one another and grow together. Most Corps members live in one of our intentional volunteer communities with other one-year and short-term volunteers, sharing in dinner and devotion several nights a week. Members who choose to find their own housing are invited to participate in community at least once a month.
Spirituality
Christian Appalachian Project is interdenominational, meaning we welcome volunteers from many different denominations and traditions. We invite each volunteer to make a commitment to personal spirituality and community prayer and reflection during their service with CAP, strengthening their own faith while learning from the perspectives of others. Though we do not require volunteers to be Christian, most CAP volunteers feel called to service because of their faith, and are seeking a community in which they can grow in faith while serving others.
