CAP Volunteer Program E-News a monthly newsletter of Christian Appalachian Project
Pic of the Month
Volunteers show their school spirit jack-o-lantern style at a Halloween party hosted by the Rockcastle Volunteer House. Current volunteer alma maters include University of Notre Dame, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Boston College, Aquinas College, University of Georgia, Loyola University-Chicago, Bellarmine University, and Xavier University.
On the Road...Again
CAP finishes up its fall travel season by visting several universities in Pennsylvania. Be sure to check our schedule often to see if we're coming your way!
Volunteers Enjoy Rest, Reflection at Fall Retreat
Last month, more than 30 CAP volunteers gathered at Camp Andrew Jackson for their fall retreat. The Volunteer Program sponsors two retreats a year to give volunteers time to relax, reflect on their service experience, and spend time with their fellow volunteers. This fall's retreat featured a spiritual speaker, performances by a local praise band, and plenty of free time for hiking, canoeing, and other leisure activities.
Volunteers, Donors Team Up for Christmas Basket Program
Though many volunteers are still recovering from Halloween-candy induced stupors or preparing to go home for Thanksgiving, volunteers in CAP's Christmas Basket Program are gearing up for another big holiday. The Christmas Basket Program, which was started by a CAP volunteer, matches sponsors from around the country with low-income families in Eastern Kentucky. Sponsors buy gifts for the families, and CAP volunteers and staff distribute the gifts along with a grocery voucher to more than a thousand families in the region.
The process begins in early November when the first packages start arriving in the Christmas Basket warehouse. Richard and Barbara Layer from Tallahassee, Florida, have been coming each November as Christmas Basket volunteers since 2003. Previously, Rich and Barb served as long-term volunteers in Outreach Services and Child and Family Development. Each day, new packages arrive for Barb to check in and Rich to help organize and transport to the various distribution sites throughout Eastern Kentucky. The season culminates in mid-December with a prayer service that precedes each distribution. The long-term volunteers who plan the services often enlist Rich to recite the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, which he has known by heart since he was a boy.
"The volunteers we've met and the particpants we've met keep us coming back," Rich said. "They've been a real blessing to us."
"And it keeps him out of trouble," said Barb lovingly.
Short-term (3 weeks-8 months) volunteers make valuable contributions to CAP programs. Request an information packet or call 1-800-755-5322 to find out how you can make a difference!
Volunteer Spotlight
“I love being a part of something larger than myself.”
—Amblyn Allen, Jackson Volunteer House
Amblyn at a glance...
Hometown: Big Bear, California Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame Majors: Environmental Sciences, Theology Fun Fact: Former "Miss Big Bear"
Amblyn Allen first came to CAP as a college freshman in 2002 to participate in WorkFest, CAP's alternative spring break program. Though she was here only a week, the experience made a lasting impact. In 2004, Amblyn returned to WorkFest, this time as her group's leader. By the time graduation arrived in 2005, Amblyn realized she was called to make a longer commitment to serve in Appalachia.
Now in her second year as a long-term volunteer, Amblyn makes a difference every day in her service to Owsley County, a small community in Eastern Kentucky with a population of fewer than 5,000 but a poverty rate of 45%. Amblyn's primary responsibilities include providing emergency utility assistance for families in need, organizing the county's Christmas Basket, School Readiness and commodities programs, and providing a listening ear during home visits with the families she serves. During the evenings and weekends, Amblyn finds support in her volunteer community, the Jackson House. "The most rewarding part of volunteering has been being able to live in the volunteer house," Amblyn reflected. "You become part of a family that will help you grow and challenge you, but also keep you laughing and remind you that you are blessed."
Ready to be challenged? Request an information packet on how you can become a CAP volunteer.
Urgent Volunteer Needs application process required
CAP has immediate openings in the following programs:
Child and Family Development: Serve children ages 3 and 4 as a teaching assistant in one of CAP's Child Development Centers. Encourage participation of the whole family through home visits, parenting classes and involvement in the center. Must be energetic, flexible and love children.
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.
Educational and Recreational Programming: Assist Camp staff in teaching character education in local schools and developing after-school programming. Serve as a camp counselor in summer months. Must enjoy the outdoors and working with children.
Respite Services: Provide therapeutic, social, and recreational activities for children and adults with disabilities. Respite Services provides both in-home and center-based care.
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“I have shown you all things, how that your laboring ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Though many volunteers are still recovering from Halloween-candy induced stupors or preparing to go home for Thanksgiving, volunteers in CAP's 
Richard and Barbara Layer from Tallahassee, Florida, have been coming each November as Christmas Basket volunteers since 2003. Previously, Rich and Barb served as long-term volunteers in Outreach Services and Child and Family Development. Each day, new packages arrive for Barb to check in and Rich to help organize and transport to the various distribution sites throughout Eastern Kentucky. The season culminates in mid-December with a prayer service that precedes each distribution. The long-term volunteers who plan the services often enlist Rich to recite the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, which he has known by heart since he was a boy.
“I love being a part of something larger than myself.”
