2020 Christian Appalachian Project Annual Report

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CONTENTS

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President’s Letter

Financial Statement

By the Numbers

Area of Service

Building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love through service in Appalachia. christianapp.org

Our Donors

Total Expenses

Board of Directors

LETTER from the President

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AP’s 56th year of building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia was challenging, yet incredible.

In the fiscal year (September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020), all was normal in the first half, but halfway through, like the rest of the United States, things changed dramatically as we confronted, adjusted, then responded to the global pandemic, COVID-19.

In the second half of the year, we were required to work and serve in new ways, which we did, and in ways that were cautious, yet inspiring and effective. In reflecting on the fiscal year recently completed, I’ve come to believe it was CAP’s finest year.

Because of you and the generous prayer and charitable support you provide, our employees and volunteers were able to rise above the challenges of a global pandemic to serve people in need in Appalachia, in safe, creative, and effective ways. I have never been prouder of my incredible colleagues. I have never been more grateful to you for your faithfulness. Most important, God has provided for CAP and for our participants, through you, like never before. Thank you!

In addition to your prayers and gifts, key in sustaining CAP and me through this challenging time, was the Scripture in Psalm 27:1 (NIV), “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

This past fiscal year brought to mind a wonderful quote by James Lane Allen (1849 – 1925), a novelist from Kentucky, who wrote, “Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.” During CAP’s 2020-21 fiscal year, adversity revealed the character of CAP’s employees and volunteers – and adversity revealed your character, as you sustained CAP through your prayers, your encouraging words, and your charitable gifts. My heart overflows with gratitude for you and for your faithfulness to CAP’s mission of building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.

In Gratitude, Guy Adams President/CEO

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FINANCIAL Statement Statement of Financial Position as of Aug. 31, 2020

Assets

$ 29,265,782

Liabilities $4,009,667 Net Assests $20,695,638 Revenues, gains, and other support $135,105,903 Expenses $119,024,777 Actuarial adjustment on annuity obligations Total expenses and losses $135,053,720 Change in net assets $52,183 Net assets, beginning of year $25,203,932 Net assets, end of year $25,256,115 The financial summaries presented here were compiled by management. A copy of the FY20 Audited Financial Statements can be obtained by contacting Guy Adams, president or Brian Stiefel, controller. Christian Appalachian Project is a 501 c(3) not-for-profit corporation qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

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VOICE OF IMPACT

Betty Jones, Ph.D., Donor

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t. John’s Episcopal Church (SJEC) in Midland, Michigan, has a history of helping in developing countries, but has come to see that poverty has no boundaries. Therefore, the church has grown its partnership with Christian Appalachian Project through financial support and volunteer service.

“Generally, families in Midland are educated professionals who are economically secure.

That doesn’t mean there are not needs in the community. However, very few of our church are aware of poverty like that which exists in Appalachia,” said Betty Jones, Ph.D., a member of SJEC and team coordinator of their trip to YouthFest, CAP’s alternative spring break program.

“Our partnership with CAP has broadened our perspectives of what poverty and need can look like; and sensitized us to see that poverty exists in our own country, and may be even near our own homes. Our Christian faith should lead us to respond as caring neighbors to those in need wherever they may live.”

Since 2017, SJEC’s Endowment Committee has awarded two grants totaling $40,000 for CAP’s work in our Housing Program. In addition, the SJEC team presented a gift of $5,000 to CAP to help in expanding home repair projects in Appalachia. Betty, age 85, and her husband Preston, married for 62 years, are also personal donors to CAP. As the team prepared to leave, a closing devotional given asked the volunteers to reflect on three imperatives illustrated in the Bible which can also serve as a guide for Christian life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it. Jones said her team paid attention to human need and joined with CAP and other partners to reach out to improve housing conditions in Appalachia; were astonished at the enormity of the need in Eastern Kentucky and the enormous response of Christian volunteers who annually participate in CAP’s housing projects, and have continued to share their experience from volunteering with CAP.

Our Christian faith should lead us to respond as caring neighbors to those in need wherever they may live.

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This year, CAP’s Operation Sharing celebrated 35 years of service. This program received nearly $106 million in giftsin-kind donations this fiscal year and saw a 21.5 percent increase in donations since the start of the pandemic, including toys, mattresses, food, and even 50-gallon drums of hand sanitizer.

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VOICE OF IMPACT

Cornelius Arms, Volunteer

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he thing that Cornelius Arms remembers most about his first year at Camp Shawnee is wanting to quit. As a camper, there is a certain satisfaction in conquering the steep Overlook Trail, but he wasn’t certain that he could make it to the top. Arms has Cerebral Palsy which impacts his stride, and he tires out easily. His counselors saw him struggling and helped him with the physical part of the climb, but also helped him overcome his belief that it was impossible.

“This may be my only chance to do stuff like this so I’m going at it full throttle,” he said. “CAP showed me a love that I didn’t even know

existed. I want to spread that love to others that was shown to me.”

Later, he came to see Christian Appalachian Project Teen Leadership Program as a way to give back to the camp that had meant so much. His experience inspired him to commit to serve as a one-year volunteer and AmeriCorps Member.

“I would tell others to take the opportunity because they will learn more about compassion and independence here than anywhere else that I can think of,” Arms added. “I find joy in helping others, no matter what I'm doing. I hope to be able to show people that all it takes is the will and the spirit to do good, no matter if you are disabled or not.”

CAP showed me a love that I didn’t even know existed. I want to spread that love to others that was shown to me.

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By the

NUMBERS 12,928

participants received direct service through 16 human service programs in Eastern Kentucky.

1,448

people received critical, emergency, and family-oriented community service through the Family Advocacy Program.

8,723

transactions recorded at the Grateful Threadz Thrift Store for clothing and other essential items.

6,437

participants served at the Grateful Bread Food Pantry and partner pantry, Water Into Wine.

229

homes repaired and/or rebuilt.

511

low-income or at-risk family members received professional counseling services.

3,362

students received in-school curriculum, tutoring, mentoring, and leadership training.

96

at-risk children received educational support through pre-school, infant/toddler, parents are teachers, and after-school programs.

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218

participants received home visits, transports, and in-home respite in our Elderly Services Program.

247

children and adults trained in disaster relief preparedness.

552

people volunteered their time and talents to the mission of Christian Appalachian Project.

1.5 million

individuals impacted by corporate gifts-in-kind donations valued at nearly $106 million and distributed by CAP's Operation Sharing warehouse to 1,173+ partners in 13 Appalachian states, plus Missouri and Arkansas.

VOICE OF IMPACT

Shirray Burnside, Volunteer

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t the beginning of 2020, Shirray Burnside was putting her journalism degree to good use, but something was missing. It took a leap of faith for her to leave all that she knew to live with complete strangers. However, that distinct opportunity drew her to Appalachia to commit to a year of service with Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) through AmeriCorps.

Burnside joined CAP in August 2020 and had just begun to settle in when a complicated year became even more difficult. Her mother died of cancer. She left CAP temporarily, but came back to Kentucky soon after the funeral. Although she wanted to stay with her siblings, she said, “Dad raised me to finish what I start.”

Returning to CAP allowed her the space to process her mother’s death. She received support from housemates and CAP’s counseling services which are available to volunteers. This has helped her sort through her grief as well as the stress of volunteering during a pandemic and the lack of diversity that compounds the difficulty of being away from home.

Interacting with participants has also helped with the healing process. At the pantry, Burnside met Brenda who was undergoing chemo for stage 4 cancer and was beginning to lose her hair. “It felt good to encourage somebody even though I’m going through something,” she explained. “I know God put this together for me to meet somebody and for me to see that He still does miracles.”

I know God put this together for me to meet somebody and for me to see that He still does miracles.

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WorkFest is CAP's alternative spring break program for college students. We were one week into WorkFest when schools began cancelling due to COVID-19 shutdowns. YouthFest had to be completely called off.

CAP Housing staff in all primary counties worked to address critical repairs that needed immediate attention.

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WORKFEST GROUPS

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MISSION GROUPS

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VOICE OF IMPACT

Lowe’s, Corporate Partner

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uring a 15-year partnership, Lowe’s has ensured Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has the materials it needs to take on housing projects in the area.

Candy Bates, Lowe’s store manager in Paintsville, Kentucky, has continued to grow that partnership by sending teams of employees to work on Elderly Housing Program projects. The teams spend three to four days on jobsites building ramps for participants to have easier access to their homes. During the week, Bates brings different employees to participate in the build to get as much of her staff involved as possible.

“Our relationship with CAP has helped us learn what our community is going through,” Bates said. “It is rewarding to see the impact CAP makes on the community and knowing that through our

relationship and partnership with them we are helping with that. It’s also good to know that we are helping someone and making their life easier.

Even after we are gone, we have made a lasting impact on their life.”

Through the partnership with CAP, Lowe’s has been able to also connect to the community and build a personal relationship with its residents.

“Whenever people think about Lowe’s, they think we’re a corporate company made up of corporate people, but we’re not,” Bates said. “People forget that even though we work for Lowe’s we live here, we shop here, we work here, and our kids go to school here. Having the opportunity to serve in the community with CAP gives us the opportunity to connect to local people.”

It is rewarding to see the impact CAP makes on the community and knowing that through our relationship and partnership with them we are helping with that.

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Area of

SERVICE

12,928 people were served through 16 direct human service programs in Eastern Kentucky.

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 Primary County  Secondary County  Gap County

Magoffin E

Wolfe OP

Johnson

H OP D E R C FC V OS FA

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Rockcastle

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H G R

Knott

Owsley

OP E FC H C

S OP C

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Laurel OP C

Knox OS C OP I

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McCreary H OP FC C FA

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Pike

FC C OP

Clay

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Floyd

Breathitt OP

Jackson

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Lee

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Martin

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Whitley OP C

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Grateful Bread Food Pantry

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Grateful Threadz Thrift Store

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Water Into Wine Food Pantry Partner

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Camp Service Area

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Housing Program

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Disaster Relief Offices and Warehouse

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In-Home Respite Services

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Operation Sharing Warehouse

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Child and Family Development Center

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Operation Sharing Community Partner

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In-Home Infant/Toddler Services

In-School Services Volunteer Housing Elderly Services

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Family Advocacy

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Family Life Counseling Services

Our 9th Annual Hunger Walk was virtual due to the pandemic.

A symbolic walk was held with representatives from Grateful Bread Food Pantry, community leaders, and God’s Pantry Food Bank CEO Mike Halligan. Each walker represented 100 walkers who would have attended the in-person event.

Operation Sharing and Grateful Bread Food Pantry staff worked to distribute 14,976 USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Each box contained locally-sourced fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy and meat products.

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Our Elderly Services staff worked hard to make everyone feel extra special this holiday season. This included delivering 38 hot meals from Bob Evans, 34 cold meals, and 60 hams. An additional 152 Christmas gifts were also delivered. CAP’s Camp Shawnee and Camp AJ staff packed and mailed 56 teens Christmas boxes for a virtual party to remind our youth in the Teen Leadership Program that they are special.

Family Advocacy also served 712 children and 594 adults in our annual Christmas distribution.

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VOICE OF IMPACT

Wayne Riley, Board Member

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hristian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Board of Directors work to expand CAP’s impact while providing opportunities for members to grow as leaders and to influence the direction of the organization. One of CAP’s newest board members, Wayne Riley, is doing just that.

“As a community partner, CAP helped us grow the Laurel County African American Heritage Center by providing essential items for the community and increasing our volunteer base,” said Riley, who was first introduced to CAP through Operation Sharing. “We were also able to remodel our museum and community kitchen in a way that would not have been possible without the donated materials and resources from CAP.”

Riley lives in the community and is committed to creating educational programs that change the trajectory of generational impact. As a board member, he is building on those successes to help CAP create a level playing field for partner agencies, staff, as well as participants.

“Community partners are important because they allow CAP to continue to grow and be visible.

It allows us to connect with new people,” Riley added. “I want to become more involved with employees so their voice and needs can inform our work on the board. Because I have firsthand experience with how healthy foods can transform a community, I want to continue to expand my work with Operation Sharing and Grateful Bread Food Pantry. I am excited to be a part of the growth as CAP moves forward.”

Community partners are important because they allow CAP to continue to grow and be visible.

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Our DONORS

248,217

DONORS CONTRIBUTED TO CAP IN FY20

87,395

FIRST-TIME DONORS IN FY20

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS OF CAP’S DONORS ALL 50 U.S. STATES, 7 U.S. TERRITORIES, 3 CANADIAN PROVINCES

Total EXPENSES 88.12% OF FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO CAP PROGRAMS

12.01% FAMILY SERVICES

3.43% MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL

8.46% FUND DEVELOPMENT

12.30% EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

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63.81% COMMUNITY SERVICES

VOICE OF IMPACT

Danny Purcell, Employee

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anny Purcell has been with CAP for 34 years. He now leads the Facility/ Vehicle Management Program which manages 51 buildings and 115 vehicles including five semi trucks and five mini school buses. “We don’t have daily interaction with participants, but we work hard to keep these assets in good shape because that means more money can be budgeted for program participants instead of repairs,” Purcell said.

Whether directly or indirectly, CAP staff are committed to fulfilling CAP’s mission while serving one another and the community. “In my time at CAP, I have seen the impact of our work.

I have witnessed young kids in our Child and Family Development Program gain confidence in themselves and their ability to learn,” Purcell said. “But I have also seen participants in our adult education programs earn their GED when

they didn’t think they could. I have seen families receive respite from being a caregiver to the disabled or elderly.”

Because of his longevity, Purcell has witnessed a number of programs grow and change as CAP has continued to serve people in need in Appalachia. “Operation Sharing has grown and touched so many lives by providing other nonprofits the ability to help people. And CAP has grown our partnerships and support of other food pantries in the region which has been a blessing to many families.”

He concluded, “I am always amazed when you meet someone and they find out you work for CAP. They eagerly give you a testimonial about how CAP affected their life or a family member’s life. That is what stays with you. That is what you never forget.”

I am always amazed when you meet someone and they find out you work for CAP. They eagerly give you a testimonial about how CAP affected their life or a family member’s life.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Each member of Christian Appalachian Project's Board of Directors contributes significant amounts of time, talent, energy, and insight to ensure we stay focused on our mission of building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. We are grateful for their service.

Jackie Collier Chair Berea, KY Jon Lett Vice Chair Ashland, KY Guy Adams President/CEO Lexington, KY

Darren Gillespie Paintsville, KY Frank P. Heaberlin Prestonsburg, KY Bob M. Hutchison Staffordsville, KY Holly James Georgetown, KY

Deann Stivers Allen Manchester, KY

Rob Lawson Lexington, KY

Mona Baker Lexington, KY

Wayne Riley London, KY

Nancy Horn Barker Winchester, KY

Tina Terry Pikeville, KY

Mark Barrens Louisville, KY

Liz Toombs Lexington, KY

Alan Cornett Lexington, KY

Andrew Wegrzyn Des Peres, MO

Joyce Taylor Cummins Stanford, KY

Judge B. Wilson, II Berea, KY

CAP Legal Counsel John Rhorer Lexington, KY Corporate Officers Anita Seals VP of Human Services Mt. Vernon. KY Phyllis Caudill VP of Philanthropy Lexington, KY Gloria Jordan VP of Administration Paintsville, KY Brian Stiefel Controller Mt. Vernon, KY Recording Secretary Carolyn Marks Schlappi Mt. Vernon, KY

Lula Bowling Ford Pikeville, KY

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID 485 PONDEROSA DRIVE PAINTSVILLE, KY 41240

CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT

DONATIONS OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY Christian Appalachian Project P.O. Box 55911 Lexington, KY 40555 1.866.270.4CAP (4227) capinfo@chrisapp.org

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MISSION GROUPS Christian Appalachian Project 310 Beiting Lane Mt. Vernon, KY 40456 1.800.755.5322 volunteer@chrisapp.org groups@chrisapp.org

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