The Mountain Spirit Fall/Winter 2021

IN THIS ISSUE n Light in the Darkness n Feeding the Multitude n The Miracle of Hope n Heart of Service

Spirit VOL. 40, NO. 2 | FALL/WINTER 2021

A BIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Most days you’ll find me at my computer writing or editing. That entails trying to find the right words to convey an emotion, to animate an experience, or to illustrate a place. This issue of the magazine presented a challenge to find the words that would do justice to my recent interactions at CAP. How to describe kneeling in mud to fill a trash bag with insulation that had been soaked with days-old flood water, critter Tina V. Bryson carcasses, and droppings? Day after day, tbryson@chrisapp.org volunteers, like me, from the community and out-of-state perform labor that many homeowners cannot. Many of those same homeowners stand in prayer circles thanking God for His presence and provision, expressing faith in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. One of those volunteers is Vic Byrd, read his story on page 24.

On another day I witness CAP programs working together to meet needs months after two natural disasters. The first photo I had seen of CAP’s response was of a staffer lending a hand to assess the damage to a home layered with mud, furniture upended, a refrigerator on its side.

But this day, standing next to an Operation Sharing tractor trailer filled with necessities, I get to meet the homeowner. It is months later but she is still struggling to put her life back together, to rebuild a home for her four children. Read her story on page 12.

Upon reflection, I think of the word “forward.” Many families that CAP comes alongside are facing daunting challenges, and yet, they still find a way to be grateful. They see God’s grace and are able to move forward.

Our participants move forward because of our dedicated volunteers who balance their own challenges to also move their spiritual lives forward through their service. Likewise, even in the middle of a global pandemic and an economic downturn, our generous donors, like you, continue to support CAP. In your forward motion, you enable CAP to continue to advance our mission.

Perhaps the most striking embodiment of forward motion is Pearlie Ridener. She grew up farming on the side of a mountain, literally. And even at 91 years old, having grown up in poverty, she still gives thanks to God for the life she has been given. Meet Ms. Pearlie on page 16. She sent me home with some homemade grape jelly, a little taste of Appalachia.

Second Corinthians 4:8-9 conveys the thoughts that I’m reaching for.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” This is the spirit evident in the people that live in these mountains. These are not stories of despair, but resilience. I am grateful that I get to witness it.

Spirit

Building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tina V. Bryson COPY EDITORS Dennis Jacobs, Amy Schill

PHOTO CREDITS Lisa Collins, Patricia Griffith, Dean Hall, Shawna Hall Mink, Becky Neuenschwander, Will Pinhak, Josh Ratliff, Linda Shepherd, Rachel Wheeler

CONTACT US By phone: 859.269.0635 Toll-free: 866.270.4227 Email: capinfo@chrisapp.org Website: christianapp.org

SUBSCRIPTIONS The Mountain Spirit is published twice a year. The suggested donation is $20.00. Subscription requests and other correspondence should be sent to: Christian Appalachian Project The Mountain Spirit P.O. Box 55911 Lexington, KY 40555-5911 Copyright 2021. Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Christian Appalachian Project is a nonprofit Christian service organization operating throughout Appalachia.

Christian Appalachian Project is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

ON THE COVER: Haley Thacker, a senior at Rockcastle County High School, is also president of both the student council and the Honors Club. She spoke at the Hunger Walk to spotlight food insecurity.

Contents Meet the Writers

Faith

6 One Step at a Time

This year marks 10 years of CAP's Hunger Walk and expansion of efforts to address food insecurity.

8 A Call to Action

A historic flood nearly destroys the food bank in Lawrence County, but the community rallies to rebuild.

12 Light in the Darkness

Disaster Relief, Housing, and Operation Sharing work together to meet needs in the community following back-to-back natural disasters.

Brianna Stephens Brianna is a CAP staff writer.

Service

14 Feeding the Multitude

CAP opens a new pantry in McCreary County where nearly 22 percent of the population is food insecure.

1 6 To God Be the Glory

Elderly Services participant, Pearlie Ridener, shares about her faith, growing up in poverty, and the impact CAP has made in McCreary County.

20 The Miracle of Hope

Josh Ratliff coordinates Family Advocacy programs and services for CAP and is also a volunteer firefighter, chaplain, pastor, and coach.

Shannon Holbrook Shannon is a freelance writer based in Central Kentucky.

Compassion

22 Louder Than Words

CAP celebrates 2021 Champions of Appalachia: Eula Hall and Big Sandy Healthcare and MEI Total Elevator Solutions.

2 4 Family Ties

Vic and Ginny Byrd are staples at CAP. They have been serving at WorkFest and supporting Disaster Relief efforts for 15 years.

2 7 Heart of Service

Will Pinhak travels to Appalachia for the first time to serve as a one-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member.

Kim Kobersmith Kim is a freelance writer and journalist in Berea, Kentucky.

Arts + Culture

28 Kindness with Universal Appeal

Area youth receive much more than a science education through the East Kentucky Science Center, an Operation Sharing partner.

3 2 Kentucky Proud

The Market on Main evolves from a farmers market to help smaller artisans/ craftsmen bring their Kentucky-made products to a larger marketplace.

Find BONUS stories in the digital version of the magazine at issuu.com/themountainspirit.

Spirit News That Sounds Fun live podcast tour features CAP This summer, CAP joined New York Times bestselling author and podcast host Annie F. Downs for her first That Sounds Fun live podcast tour. As a charity sponsor of the tour, CAP’s mission and programming were featured by Downs during her show in 12 cities across the Midwest and Southeast. Downs is a partner of CAP and has a passion for helping people in need in Appalachia. She has visited CAP’s service areas to experience programs and to serve. During her tour, Downs raised $2,932 to help support CAP’s programs.

Grateful Bread Food Pantry hosts first fresh produce distribution CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry partnered with God’s Pantry Food Bank to host its first fresh produce distribution at First Baptist Church Mt. Vernon in July.

God’s Pantry delivered 12,019 pounds of food for the distribution to residents of Rockcastle County. This included Kentucky grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash provided by the Farms to Food Banks program; corn, cabbage, and potatoes purchased by God’s Pantry; and bread items that came from God’s Pantry’s retail donation partners through food rescue.

CAP partners with Toys for Tots and Good360 for second year After two pandemic-impacted years of school, CAP joined Toys for Tots and Good360 for a second consecutive year in the distribution of toys, books, games, and snacks to children in Appalachia this summer. While Toys for Tots is the nation’s flagship children’s Christmas charity, the organization has expanded to meet additional needs of children and their families. Through this partnership, CAP was able to bring smiles to 6,097 children.

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Camp In A Box promotes literacy in Appalachia With in-person camp on hold again this year because of COVID-19, CAP’s Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Program still brought the magic of camp to children in need in Appalachia through another round of Camp In A Box. The boxes were given to campers with supplies and instructions for camp activities to do at home. In addition to the activities, YES also hosted a book drive so youth books could be added to each box. One mother thanked Camp AJ staff for the books her children received. She said her son was excited to have a copy of “Eli the Good.” He started the book in school but was afraid he wouldn’t be able to finish it before summer break.

Her daughter was excited with her copy of “Where the Wild Things Are” and asked to have it read to her three times when they got home from Camp In A Box distribution.

“We wanted to encourage summer reading, get children away from computer screens, and provide opportunities to connect with regional authors by fostering an appreciation for artists from Appalachia,” said Liz Phelps, manager of CAP’s Camp AJ. “We were thrilled at the response from our donors and friends who sent books.”

Camp Shawnee completes facility projects Several facility projects have been completed at Camp Shawnee over the past year. The Camp Shawnee road project was completed in fall 2020, restoring safe access to the camp. The road was closed in spring 2019 after heavy rains caused the mountainside to slip and the access road to the camp to buckle. This year a new bathroom facility for the camp’s pool was added, and a dorm for campers received new windows, doors, siding, and stain.

Camp Shawnee staff are in the process of adding a new playground after receiving a private donation.

Staff hope to have the playground installed before next summer.

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Faith

One Step at a Time

BY TINA V. BRYSON

G

od is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) This could not have been more evident than at this year’s Hunger Walk, sponsored

by Texas Roadhouse. Ten years ago, staff at Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Grateful Bread Food Pantry wanted to create a community event for Hunger Awareness Month to spotlight food insecurity in the counties that CAP serves.

“In Rockcastle County and surrounding communities, about 1 in 4 children don’t know where their next meal might come from. And many of our vulnerable seniors also struggle to have enough food for the month,” said Sherri Barnett, manager of Grateful Bread. “You never know who is battling hunger because it is an issue people face every day. We have had astonishing support from our local community, and we are glad to see this event grow so that we can make an even bigger impact on fighting hunger in Appalachia.”

The business community in Rockcastle County was an early supporter, but this is the first year that CAP had a corporate sponsor for this event.

“I can’t think of anything that would align better with Texas Roadhouse than feeding people,” said Heather Spurlock, the Vice President of Accounting and Controller for Texas Roadhouse. “When the pandemic first hit, our CEO and founder was very clear with us: our mission is to feed America and make sure that no one goes hungry. Thank you CAP for partnering with us in that mission of hope.”

But the backbone of this event is the support of local students who have embraced the call to make a difference so that no child goes hungry. The students of Rockcastle County for 10 years helped grow this event from 100 walkers the first year to nearly 1,300 before

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(above) A student at Lexington Christian Academy takes food to fill an empty refrigerator while learning how to help people in need. (left) Hunger Walk 2021 was a huge success in multiple locations.

COVID-19. They continue to do amazing work to collect food, promote educational initiatives, and volunteer at the pantry to serve their neighbors.

Through a partnership with Lexington Christian Academy (LCA), CAP was able to expand the event this year to Lexington, Kentucky. Both campuses of LCA participated in this year’s Hunger Walk. More than 1,300 students and staff collected over 10,000 nonperishable food items for CAP’s pantry efforts through Grateful Bread, Eagle Food Pantry, and Water Into Wine.

With additional food collected from CAP employees and volunteers, as well as Rockcastle County Schools, many families will be able to receive pantry boxes and weekend food backpacks for children.

“When it comes to food insecurity, I had always had it in my mind that it was never here. That it couldn’t possibly have reached us,” said Tia Alchureiqi, LCA Senior Student Body Chaplain. “Food insecurity happens right here in Kentucky every single day and just being able to bring awareness to that is so important.

CAP is going to be able to use the food we collected for the most good. They take those loaves and fish and make the best of it.” n

Faith

“The partnership we have with Christian Appalachian Project doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because there are a lot of dedicated people that are committed to fighting food insecurity, not only in our county, but across the whole region.”

Carrie Ballinger, Superintendent Rockcastle County Schools

“The community here in Rockcastle County is a small one, but one that steps up to help others when necessary. That is what this Hunger Walk campaign demonstrates: helping others when they may not have the means to help themselves.”

A.J. Martin, Student Council President Mt. Vernon Elementary School

“The Hunger Walk is an opportunity to teach our students that a life of service is a life worth living. If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, nothing else really matters.”

Dr. Scott Wells, Head of School Lexington Christian Academy

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Faith

A CALL TO ACTION

BY TINA V. BRYSON

8 The Mountain SPIRIT

Faith

“The need in the county is tremendous,” Wheeler noted. “We have so many grandparents on fixed incomes raising grandchildren.

Plus, we live so far out in the county.

In our community, we have just a little country store. Most families do not have the money or the means to buy at the store. That means that they have to make choices between medicine, utilities, or food.”

Wheeler knew Aaron Thoms, the manager of Operation Sharing in Paintsville, Kentucky, from when they both previously worked at Lowe’s. The church they attended was also a community partner.

“I kept my monthly appointment to pick up items, but as soon as we would pick it up, it would be gone real fast. There was such a great need,” she explained. “They asked if I could do a tractor trailer load and that went just as quickly.

Without our volunteers, the work would not happen. They are the hands and feet of this ministry.”

R

achel Wheeler had to do something. She discovered a child at the church had been eating dog food because that’s all they had at his house. His parents were on drugs and he was now being raised by his grandparents. So Wheeler and her husband prayed about what to do.

“To think that a child in my community would have to eat dog food if he was hungry just broke my heart. Then the opportunity to open a food pantry

just came from out of nowhere and we just jumped at it,” said Wheeler, the president of God’s Hands Ministry Lawrence County Food Bank.

They started out in a small Sunday School classroom in the basement of a church, but they grew so quickly that soon they took over the entire basement. They eventually outgrew the space and now have three buildings where they store and distribute nutritious food to approximately 800 to 1,000 people every month.

During the winter storms earlier in the year, Wheeler and her team faced the hardest challenge. It was in the middle of the ice storm and they were coordinating the delivery of nonperishable food items and water, plus had been doing door-to-door checks for nearly five straight days to make sure people had what they needed to survive.

“The National Guard was here and we were putting food from the pantry in the back of their Humvees to deliver,” Wheeler recalled. “They called for rain and potential flooding. The next day we put items up on stacked pallets to make sure we could save everything. That night it just rained so hard, and it just kept raining and raining.”

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Faith

Make a Difference

VOLUNTEER

Whether a person is 18 or 108, steaming clothing or climbing onto roofs, committing to a year of full-time service or devoting a few hours a week to serving our communities – each volunteer is necessary to the mission and ministry of CAP. We firmly believe that volunteers who serve with CAP are called by God to do so. We know that each of them and all of their gifts are exceedingly valuable.

Opportunities are available for people of all backgrounds, experiences, ages, and availabilities.

Christian Appalachian Project

christianapp.org volunteer@chrisapp.org 800.755.5322

10 The Mountain SPIRIT

"It was just devastation.

I’ve worked Red Cross Disaster Relief, but it hits you different when it’s your stuff. You feel the emotion: the hurt, the loss, the devastation."

— Rachel Wheeler

Faith

(above) Operation Sharing provided essential items in order for the food bank to continue to serve the community. (left) Staff felt the hurt, loss, and devastation following historic floods that left more than 5 feet of water in their building. They lost 78 tons of product that had to be taken to the dump as well as refrigerators and freezers.

The Wheelers tried to make it to the pantry, but the water was too high.

They had no choice but to wait two days for the water to recede.

ing was more than 5 feet of water. We were able to save the building, three plastic tables, and a bathtub,” she recalled with a wry laugh.

“It was just devastation,” she recalled.

“I’ve worked Red Cross Disaster Relief, but it hits you different when it’s your stuff. You feel the emotion: the hurt, the loss, the devastation.

We worked 12 years to lose everything. I thought we’d be able to salvage something. I opened the door and immediately saw the refrigerators flipped over. I just stood there and cried. In the back of our build-

They lost 78 tons of product that had to be taken to the dump.

People just showed up and started helping. Thoms had already reached out to make sure they were all okay, and to schedule a load of items that the community would need.

“Aaron made sure that we had items to give out,” Wheeler said.

“We were still in the middle of the clean up from the ice storm. It was just nonstop.”

She added, “Unless you’ve been in a line and needed to ask for assistance, it’s very humbling. I tell them, ‘Don’t be afraid to get in this line and ask for help. It’s not something to be ashamed of.’ We might be standing outside in 100 degree heat and it seems like the line never ends. We pray over what we have, but we always have enough. God always provides. We just want to be there to fulfill that need.” n

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Faith

Light in the Darkness

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

A

fter the challenges brought on by 2020, the world hoped for positive changes in 2021. But for the people of Appalachia, devastation and hardships only continued in February when a damaging ice storm and historic flooding slammed into Eastern Kentucky.

“The ice storm and flooding happened within a week, and, with it also being right here in our service area, it happened to our neighbors, friends, and family,” said Robyn Renner, director of Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Disaster Relief Program and a Housing Program manager.

Disaster Relief partnered with Rockcastle County Schools to open a warming shelter during the ice

storm, which served 30 people. Then immediately following the flood, CAP completed 160 home assessments, and more than 100 employees, volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and community members clocked over 3,900 hours to help remove mud and flood waters from inside homes.

As the need for flooding assistance grew, and thanks to the generosity of donors, CAP’s leadership team was able to direct $400,000 to help purchase building materials for families in devastated homes. CAP is partnering with and providing materials to local churches, contractors, and families who are able to do the work needed to provide critical home repairs as soon as possible. Otherwise, families and individuals would have to remain displaced from their homes or live

In June, Wanda Ridener (right) assisted Paulina Jackson (left) who attended a distribution hosted by CAP to help flood victims in ongoing recovery efforts. Families were offered clothes, cleaning supplies, furniture, and household items.

12 The Mountain SPIRIT

in unsafe conditions. With the help of the funding and partnerships, CAP had completed 36 home projects by July with 15 more homes still on the waiting list. Renner said she believed more families would reach out to CAP for assistance as they struggle to find help repairing their homes.

Paulina Jackson said God answered her prayer for help with CAP. In February, Jackson and her four children escaped from the rising flood waters in their home by canoe. After the water receded, her home was filled with mud, the walls were waterlogged, and a sour smell assaulted her senses when she walked through the door. Her warm and welcoming home of 15 years was unrecognizable as it stood wet, cold, and desolate.

Faith “It has been devastating. A lot of tears, a lot of hard days, a lot of days you don’t understand why,” Jackson said. “I think the most devastating thing was I felt like I was failing as a parent because I didn’t have a roof to put over my children,” she added, wiping tears from her eyes.

On top of the worries of getting her home repaired, Jackson faced the deaths of her father and uncle and the intensified challenge of taking care of her children, as well as the struggles they faced while the family was displaced and living in a hotel.

CAP’s Disaster Relief and Housing Programs have helped Jackson clean up and repair her home. She also received a donation of plumbing materials from CAP, which a local plumber installed.

“I am grateful for CAP. They have been so good to me,” Jackson said.

“If the people at CAP hadn’t come, I think I would have fallen apart.

They were my strength. They were supportive of me when I was at the bottom. They were there to hug me when I just wanted to cry. I think they were a Godsend. They stayed right there to help me, they volunteered when they didn’t have to, and they gave of themselves.”

Through additional partnerships, CAP’s Operation Sharing Program was able to distribute 20 semitruck loads of essential items (food, cleaning supplies, paper goods, etc.) to 14 Kentucky counties and Wayne County, West Virginia, for two weeks following the flood.

Distributions have continued to these devastated communities. In June, CAP programs came together to host a distribution in Rockcastle County to provide furniture, clothing, cleaning supplies, and other household items to families impacted by the flood. Jackson attended the distribution and took home a new chair along with other

Historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky earlier this year engulfed Paulina Jackson's home (left). As a result, her home was devastated. (above) Lauren Kirby, CAP Risk Management coordinator, helps assess the devastation of the Jackson home.

ing to recover from the devastation they have faced. For some it could even take years before they can get back to their normal way of life.

furniture and household items as work on her home continued months after the flood.

Families in Appalachia are still displaced from their homes and try-

“Rebuilding and repairs do not happen overnight,” said Renner, who has helped with CAP's Disaster Relief Program since its inception in 2005. “Building materials are triple the cost and more difficult to get, and you can’t replace appliances overnight. Because this happened in our service areas, we are able to serve these communities on a much longer response with not only clean up but recovery efforts.

We are in it for the long haul.” n

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Service

Feeding the Multitude

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

A

young girl peers around the backseat as Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) employees load the trunk of the car with food boxes and bags of potatoes. Her eyes twinkle with excitement and a grin sneaks across her face at the sight of the food she will soon get to have. When the trunk is closed and the family of five drive away, the silhouette of the girl’s hand eagerly waves goodbye out the back window of the car.

By its grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration in June, Eagle Food Pantry had 61 households

14 The Mountain SPIRIT

signed up for assistance. The pantry is CAP’s third pantry program and aims to reduce physical and spiritual hunger in McCreary County, Kentucky.

Eagle Food Pantry works alongside two other pantries in the county to provide nutritious food for children, their families, and seniors.

“CAP always looks to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Joseph Beaudoin, pantry manager. “We want to listen to the people we serve, take their ideas, and find programming that best suits their needs. We listened to our community, and we saw that another pantry was needed.”

Service

“We listened to our community, and we saw that another pantry was needed.”

— Joseph Beaudoin

McCreary County has one of the highest food insecurity rates in the state. The overall food insecurity rate for the county during 2019 was 21.8 percent, while the rate for children was 27.9 percent, according to Feeding America. Around 91 percent of households and 95 percent of children in McCreary County were eligible for income-based nutrition programs, according to Feeding America’s 2019 report.

Even with that support, many people in the county are unsure of where their next meal will come from. CAP anticipates nearly 800 families in the area may need pantry assistance. The pantry is working to develop partnerships in the community to reach as many households in need as possible.

“There are a lot of people struggling in Appalachia,” said Mike Higginbotham, CAP Facility Management, during the grand opening ceremony. He led the effort to convert a thrift store at the Eagle campus to a fully-stocked and functional food pantry. “It makes me proud to be a part of this mission by driving the nails, putting the windows and flooring in, and doing all the work that was needed to get the pantry ready.”

In the Parkers Lake community, where the pantry serves, there is not a grocery store. Adequate transportation can be a barrier to traveling to grocery stores in nearby cities or to the other pantries in the county, leaving residents to rely on the prepackaged foods or fast-food style meals in Parkers Lake.

(left) Eagle Food Pantry Manager Joseph Beaudoin loads food into a participant’s car. A child in the backseat smiles as she watches him. (above) In June, CAP’s Cumberland Valley Human Services Director Mike Loiacono and the staff of Eagle Food Pantry cut the ribbon on the new facility.

Beaudoin and his team distribute pantry boxes which include rice, pasta or cereal, nonperishable items, shelf stable milk, canned proteins, and, when available, snacks, such as granola bars. As the pantry continues to grow, it will begin to provide frozen and refrigerated items, including meats, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. The pantry is working closely with the local extension office to also provide recipe cards to households for the foods they receive.

In the months to come, Eagle Food Pantry’s staff look to assist local

schools with the weekend backpack program, much like CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry in Rockcastle County. The staff are also working with CAP’s Elderly Services Program to distribute commodity boxes to seniors in the community.

“We are happy to celebrate this addition to CAP’s services in Appalachia,” said CAP President/CEO Guy Adams.

“For nearly 60 years, CAP has continued to listen to and meet the needs of our participants, all while building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.” n

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Service

Pearlie Ridener, 91, has been a CAP Elderly Services Program participant for nearly 30 years.

“The Lord blesses us every way we turn.

He has blessed me all through my life.”

— Pearlie Ridener

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Service

To God Be the Glory

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

P

earlie Ridener gently rocks in her chair next to a table with a lovingly-worn Bible. The colorful pattern on her handstitched skirt mimics the summer wildflowers on the mountain outside her window. “The Lord blesses us every way we turn,” she said to Karen Mulder, a one-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member with Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Elderly Services Program, sitting in a chair across the room. “He has blessed me all through my life.”

Ridener, 91, was born and raised in McCreary County, Kentucky, and has been a participant in CAP’s Elderly Services Program for nearly 30 years. Mulder visits Ridener often and enjoys listening to her stories of growing up in Appalachia and her love for God. “I’ve been coming to see Pearlie since January, but it seems like she and I have been together for a long time,” Mulder said. “Pearlie loves to talk about the Lord and relishes quoting Bible verses and discussing the meanings.”

Ridener grew up in poverty on a farm, not far from where she lives now, with her parents and eight siblings. They lived without electricity, used a wagon to travel, and relied on a mule to plow the steep hillsides of their farm. They grew their own crops and raised animals to have what they needed. Nothing on the farm went to waste. Her mother made their clothing, sheets, towels, and underclothes from cattle feed sacks after they were emptied of the food.

“Back then we was poor and didn’t know it. The whole community was the same way,” Ridener recalled. “Soon as we were big enough to hold a hoe handle, we was off to work. It was a lot of hard work, but we had to do it to live.”

When she had five children of her own and a farm to manage, Ridener passed on the skills and value of hard work she learned from her parents along with her faith.

Her husband also shared his woodcarving skills, which the family has used to craft and sell furniture and decorations. One of her prized possessions is a grandfather clock handmade by her son.

Pearlie Ridener and her family are skilled woodworkers and can make anything from small figurines to furniture.

This grandfather clock was made by Ridener’s son and is one of her prized possessions.

CAP reached out to Ridener shortly after her husband died when she found herself living alone and without adequate resources to meet her own needs.

Through the Elderly Services Program, CAP provides friendships and support to seniors in Appalachia and necessary transportation to the store or doctor appointments. Ridener has received food services, made close friends, and enjoyed day trips to surrounding counties as a participant in the program.

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Service

(above) Pearlie Ridener (right) shows off her chickens to Karen Mulder (left) a one-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member with CAP. They enjoy their visits through CAP's Elderly Services Program. (left) Ridener has also enjoyed day trips and gatherings through the program and made friends like Alice Banks (right). This was the first in-person gathering this summer, after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, that brought together participants from Jackson, Rockcastle, and McCreary Counties.

“I believe with all my heart the Lord sent CAP to this community. It has been such a great help to me, and I know it has to others,” Ridener noted. “They bring my commodities to me, and I wouldn’t be getting them if they didn’t because I do not drive and I live alone.”

While CAP’s programs make an impact on the communities we serve, the staff and volunteers create life-long friendships and bonds with our participants.

“Pearlie and the rest of our participants provide us with insight into life,” Mulder said. “There is a lot of humor and laughter, sometimes there is sadness, but we have become family.” n

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CORPORATE RELATIONS PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Tax-Deductible Gifts • Gifts-In-Kind Donations • Sponsorships Matching Gift Programs • Employee Volunteers To learn more about how your company can become involved as a corporate partner, please contact Bryce Haneline at 859.286.3025 or email bhaneline@chrisapp.org.

CHURCH RELATIONS “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 Whether your church is on the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between, it can help make a difference to those in need in Appalachia. By volunteering, giving monetary contributions, or donations of gift-in-kind items, your church can help us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ for years to come.

To learn more about how your church can become involved as a church partner, please contact Lauren McCoart at 859.270.2131 or email churches@chrisapp.org.

Service

The Miracle of Hope

BY TINA V. BRYSON

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Service

T

he lights twinkled on Christmas Eve as the house filled with chatter and laughter of family from near and far gathered together after many years apart. The phone rang. Josh Ratliff answered. He had been a volunteer firefighter since he was 16 hanging out at the firehouse. Now, duty called, a severe car accident with multiple fatalities. He knew he had to go, to help where he could.

“The fire chief said, ‘We're going to need you for more than just a firefighter tonight, we’re going to need you,’” recalled Ratliff who serves as captain and chaplain of his fire department. He is also a married father of four and coordinator of Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Family Advocacy Program in Johnson, Martin, and Floyd Counties. “I prioritize my family first, then opportunities to meet spiritual needs, then my community, then my job,” Ratliff added.

At CAP, he finds ways to meet the needs of families struggling to keep the lights on, to help seniors who need personal hygiene products, or to provide essential items after a family has lost their home to fire or flood. From his first response, where he comforted a woman who later died, Ratliff has been drawn to the person who needs him the most at that moment.

He was 14 when he started teaching Sunday School, and two years later was serving as a youth minister in his local church. That same year, his church began partnering with CAP. The church provided clothes and CAP provided backpacks with supplies to help children in the community be prepared for the start of school.

Ratliff has done water rescues, found people lost in the woods, and helped people after floods. “I have experienced flooding,” he said. “I know what it’s like to feel grateful that someone is there to help in your time of crisis.”

In the recent historic floods and ice storm in Eastern Kentucky, Ratliff worked through Family Advocacy to get cleaning and hygiene products, as well as furniture, clothing, and household items to the community. A lot of people didn’t have generators so the fire department served as a warming station.

“It’s been a trying year, but I look on the bright side of things,” added Ratliff, who also pastors a church. “God places people in your life for a reason. It might be a short time, but those connections are so important. It helps you see that not every person struggles in the same way. It’s hard not to take these experiences home

Pictured left to right: Jessica (wife), Steven, Anthony, Sophia, Hannah, and Josh

“I prioritize my family first, then opportunities to meet spiritual needs, then my community, then my job.”

— Josh Ratliff

with you. I try to leave it at the door, but sometimes it eats at you. I remind myself that their hope is greater than their hurt. When I see that, it’s like a miracle.”

Ratliff has served in his role at CAP for five years. He understands how difficult it can be sometimes for people to ask for help, but his goal is to reach out to additional counties to meet needs and spread more hope.

In his early 20s, he gave up on ministry. During that time, a close friend died and he took it personally for not being a better example of how to live a life for God. “One night I heard the audible voice of God. He said, ‘Josh, I forgave you the first time you asked. Do what I called you to do. You are in my rest.’ That’s when I knew I had to find a way to serve, minister, and give people hope.” n

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive 21

Compassion CHAMPIONS of Appalachia

Louder than Words

BY KIM KOBERSMITH

C

hampions fight for a cause or on behalf of someone else and this year’s Champions of Appalachia embody that sentiment. Each year, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a positive, long-term impact in the lives of people in need in Appalachia.

Eula Hall and Big Sandy Healthcare in Grethel, Kentucky, were recognized for their dedication to providing access to healthcare for all. MEI Total Elevator Solutions in Mankato, Minnesota, was recognized as a dedicated volunteer and financial partner with CAP.

(above) Eula Hall mentors a community health worker. (left) Hall stands in the rubble after the health clinic burned down in 1982.

“They have had such an impact in the region,” said Marci Hartness, a CAP philanthropy officer and coordinator of this year’s event. “The Champions of Appalachia award exists because CAP recognizes it takes so many different organizations to do this good work.”

Eula Hall was an Appalachian woman with an eighth-grade education that wouldn’t take no for an answer. She saw needless suffering and preventable death as

22 The Mountain SPIRIT

a child, and grew up with the firm belief that no one should be without basic healthcare.

Her legacy is the clinic she founded in 1973 to serve her neighbors.

Originally called Mud Creek Clinic, it became part of the nonprofit Big Sandy Healthcare in the late 1970s to provide more services and serve more people. “That clinic absolutely saved lives,” said Hall’s son, Dean Hall, reflecting on a childhood spent at the clinic. “A lot of people had basic diseases, and just needed antibiotics and tetanus shots.”

In 1982, the clinic burned down.

That would have stopped many people, but not Eula Hall. The staff saw

Compassion 20 patients that day, at a picnic table near the remains of the building, then Hall moved the clinic into her own home. The Appalachian Regional Commission grant she secured to rebuild required an $80,000 match, which she raised in six months.

In meeting the needs of her neighbors, Hall was a resource for more than medical care. She did what it took to help anyone who asked her for it, including speaking at Social Security hearings and intervening with the water board. As the clinic’s patient advocate, she often partnered with CAP’s home repair programs to get people ramps and bathrooms in their homes.

The clinic was renamed in 2011 to the Eula Hall Health Center. It carries on in her spirit, providing stateof-the-art care to anyone who needs it. A sliding fee scale makes it accessible to all. “She would have been truly honored to be recognized for her life’s work,” Dean said. “She was recognized by a lot of people, but being a Champion of Appalachia would have stood out to her.”

CAP’s other champion is MEI Total Elevator Solutions. Founder John Romnes, a dedicated hands-on philanthropist, heard about CAP’s work when he was developing a vision to build compassion and generosity in the company. MEI already had a robust donation program; Romnes wondered what the impact would be if employees could work firsthand to make a difference.

Since 2019, 46 of MEI’s 300 employees have served on a mission trip to Eastern Kentucky. The seven teams have stayed at the Foley Mission Center and worked on home building and repair. Coralyn Musser, director of outreach and engagement, served on the first team where she helped attach siding to a home.

(above) In May, MEI employees helped repair a home damaged by flooding. The husband, wife, and two young children were living in the home with water damage and no central heat or air conditioning. (left) Since 2019, MEI Total Elevator Solutions have had 46 of its 300 employees serve on a mission trip to Eastern Kentucky.

“As much as we help CAP, the blessing is ten-fold for us,” Musser explained. “So many of our employees had never done anything like this before. They have been impacted so much, by getting out of their day-to-day routines and going to love on other people. One returning volunteer said he felt like his heart grew while he was there.”

This relationship led to MEI supporting special projects on CAP’s wish list. They funded the renovation of a small shed at the Foley Center to provide much-needed storage space for supplies and donated new mattress covers that are easier to remove and clean.

“John Romnes said Jesus went about doing good without expecting things in return,” Musser added.

“Our employees have grown more compassionate and developed a new level of patience by volunteering. We are building a company culture of generosity.”

The annual Champions of Appalachia celebration is underwritten by NetGain Technologies, a leading provider of Information Technology services and solutions since 1984.

NetGain’s sponsorship supports CAP’s mission to build hope, transform lives, and share Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. n

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive 23

Compassion

Vic Byrd has been an assistant crew leader at WorkFest since 2006. This year, he also had the opportunity to lead teams during the response to dual disasters in Eastern Kentucky.

24 The Mountain SPIRIT

Compassion

Family Ties

BY TINA V. BRYSON

T

he smell of bleach wafted through the open window like a fragrant bouquet. It was a welcome scent that spoke of disinfectants and sanitization. Below the window, and under the house, lay 81-year-old Vic Byrd. A thin sheet of white plastic shielded him from the floodwater-soaked ground as he efficiently ripped out waterlogged insulation that belied its weight until you tried to lift it into a 50 gallon thick plastic bag. It was like watching Superman. He was unassuming, heroic, and humble. He was doing the work, methodically, without fanfare, to give a family a chance to save their home after historic flooding that followed an ice storm.

It all started in 2006 when Bryan Byrd came to Christian Appalachian Project's (CAP) Housing Program. His parents, Vic and Ginny Byrd, decided to get involved too.

The first program they worked with was a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Pikeville, Kentucky. Now, they return each year where Vic serves as an assistant crew leader at WorkFest and Ginny serves on the Kitchen Crew and assists with some administrative duties. They also respond when there are needs in Disaster Relief.

The couple met when Ginny, now 80, was a freshman in high school and Vic was a sophomore. This past August, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, where else, but at CAP. They count it a blessing to get to help people in Appalachia with the bonus of spending time with their son and his family.

“We had been married four years and had no children,” Ginny recalled. “I prayed that if God would give us a child, we would raise him up the way He would want. We tried to keep him in church and in mission activities. It is a blessing to be able to come to CAP and be able to help Bryan and to help the people. A lot of parents don’t get that opportunity.”

Vic added, “When Bryan was 14 years old, a group came to work on an educational addition for our church. We

In August, Vic Byrd, 81, and his wife Ginny, 80, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, where else, but volunteering with CAP.

worked continuously on that project together. I was used to working with young men, so when Bryan invited me to come to WorkFest, I was surprised to have a majority of my crew to be young ladies.”

While Vic is out leading a crew of young people on a worksite, the Kitchen Crew meet every morning and have a time of devotion. Ginny said it is a great way to start the day as they pray together. “It is something that is very meaningful for all of us,” she said.

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Compassion

Ginny Byrd serves on the Kitchen Crew and assists with some administrative duties during WorkFest.

“We tried to keep him in church and in mission activities. It is a blessing to be able to come to CAP and be able to help Bryan and to help the people.

A lot of parents don’t get that opportunity.”

— Ginny Byrd

26 The Mountain SPIRIT

They now bring clothes and other essential items to be used by Family Advocacy. The Byrds are preparing for a time when they can’t serve in the roles they do now, but they also recognize the impact that they get to witness from the students who consider Vic the type of grandfather some of them have never had.

There was silence on the end of the phone. A long pause. Quiet. Vic was recalling an interaction with a pre-med student from Ohio. She had worked with her dad and uncle on projects and told him that she was being under-utilized. He said she had an air about her that she would not be touched by the experience of working with people in need in Appalachia.

“On the last morning when we were saying goodbye, her attitude had changed considerably,” his voice cracked with emotion as he finished the recollection. “I said, you got it didn’t you? She understood what it was all about.” n

Compassion

Heart of Service

A

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

large black dog brought a chewed-up stick to Will Pinhak's feet and gave him a nudge. In between drilling sections of underpinning to a home, he gave the stick a toss for Smoky and continued helping her family recover from historic flood damage. Pinhak was a recent oneyear volunteer and AmeriCorps member with Christian Appalachian Project's (CAP) Housing Program.

Before coming to serve in Appalachia for the first time, the Philadelphia native was studying architecture and civil engineering at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and was active in community service through the university’s Office of Campus Ministry. There he acted as a service leader for four years and attended alternative spring break and summer trips to Jamaica and Philadelphia. He also served with Habitat for Humanity in Oregon and led a trip to Camden, New Jersey.

“My time there fostered in me a love of service. I realized in my third year that I wanted to continue to serve and commit to doing so for a year following my graduation in May 2020,” Pinhak said. “I knew that I wanted to serve with an organization that focused on housing and construction, because that is where my career lies, and because I am very passionate about affordable housing. God led me to CAP.” In the Housing Program, Pinhak helped make homes safe, warm, dry, and accessible for children, their families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The experience

Before coming to CAP as a volunteer, Pinhak acted as a service leader at Catholic University in Washington D.C. for four years and attended alternative spring break and summer trips. Here he is pictured with children at an elementary school during a service trip to Jamaica.

was an eye-opening one for him, and his service went beyond repairing homes. He was part of a crew that helped a woman living alone get lifesaving medical attention, he brought comfort to a grandfather raising his grandchildren, and he gave relief to families whose homes were devastated by historic floods earlier this year.

“I learned a tremendous amount about home repair and upkeep and had a lot of fun while doing it,” Pinhak said. “Being able to experience that all with a group specifically dedicated to serving God and taking spirituality seriously was such an incredible blessing.”

A memorable experience for Pinhak is the bond he made with a participant around the holidays. During the winter, he and his crew leader

worked to make interior repairs to her home. Every step of the way she stayed close by their side like she was part of the crew.

“She and I had very good rapport, and we even exchanged baked goods around Christmas time and compared favorite recipes,” Pinhak said.

“It felt like I was at a second home when I was working at that site.”

From his experience at CAP, Pinhak learned that giving of oneself goes beyond putting in a day’s service but instead putting in your whole heart and soul into every little job or interaction. “CAP does such good and important work, and it was an honor to be a part of it. I learned so much, both about myself and others, and made many great friends,” Pinhak said. “It was a truly informative and worthwhile experience.” n

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive 27

Arts + Culture

Kindness With Universal Appeal

28 The Mountain SPIRIT

Arts + Culture

orty-eight tiny eyes refuse to blink as stars unveil above them on a massive planetarium screen. Gasps of “ohs” and “wows” and “didyou-see-thats” permeate the theater as their teachers chuckle. When the show ends, an audible disappointed “awww” fills the room and the students exit. As they pass a table marked “Free” loaded with clothes, shoes, and snacks, they stop suddenly, and grab juice boxes, cookies, and sneakers with the same “ohs” and “wows” they just spent on the stars.

Here is where science meets goodwill. The East Kentucky Science Center (EKSC) and Varia Planetarium of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Kentucky is where visitors can get a stellar education and a helping hand.

The center’s educational outreach often comes with food, clothing, and household supplies through its partnership with Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Operation Sharing Program. This is only one of the many nonprofits in Eastern Kentucky where CAP provided total gifts in kind valued at over $60 million in the past fiscal year, and $105 million total across 13 Appalachian states, Missouri, and Arkansas.

“We give anything we get through the program to anyone who comes in,” said Susan Scott-Goble, EKSC’s educator. For example, a group of elementary students may come in for a planetarium show and leave with snacks or clothing they need. The small staff’s service goes beyond their walls, too.

The East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium at Big Sandy Community and Technical College serves as a hub of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in Eastern Kentucky. The facility offers an interactive exhibit hall, planetarium, and popular laser light shows. It features a 40-foot dome and the Spitz Sci-Dome projection system, one of only two dozen in the world, and the Varia Planetarium has the state's only GOTO Star Projector, which brings space exploration to life for visitors.

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive 29

Arts + Culture

“We also take things to neighboring churches and share with low-income campus students who don’t have food,” she said. “Our number one goal as a science center is to make ourselves accessible and family friendly.”

Scott-Goble stresses the fair can fit curriculum needs across the region’s 15 counties. “It covers writing, math, charts, science, presenting, oral skills, and networking. Students get to see what others are creating and it inspires them,” she explained.

The center’s staff prides themselves in customizing and presenting educational programming for a wide variety of audiences. They also host multiple events, like the annual East Kentucky Regional Science and Engineering Fair for fourth through 12th graders who win first place at their school fairs. Students can compete beyond regional to state and possibly on to an international fair, where incentives reach $75,000.

The center has partnered with NASA to host speakers and events like the Hubble Traveling Exhibit. They present space camps, a Halloween event, a weather day, and host tour groups. They hope to start evening programs like stargazing and bring more exhibits soon.

30 The Mountain SPIRIT

“We care so much about the center, and we want to build on what we do here,” she concluded. n

Arts + Culture

Bringing NASA to Eastern Kentucky

A

ccording to Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development, aerospace is one of Kentucky’s major industries.

So, it’s no surprise that foundations for higher learning, like Big Sandy Community and Technical College’s East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium, have forged relationships with NASA to attract and make aerospace education accessible to its residents.

Also, the center is a member of NASA’s Museum and Informal Education Alliance, which means it uses NASA educational products, images, visualizations, videos, and information in its educational and public programs and exhibits.

“Our number one goal as a science center is to make ourselves accessible and family friendly.”

— Susan Scott-Goble

(left) Visitors got a sneak peek of the NASA Hubble Traveling Exhibit at the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium during a VIP reception.

Photo courtesy of The Daily Independent

The center educates the community on space exploration through multiple venues, whether it’s hosting summer space camps, attracting national exhibits, or building a repertoire of diverse astronomical shows that immerse people into space, literally.

Past Space Exploration Camps have included hands-on activities like building and launching rockets, as well as making star finders, gravity defying balloons, and scale models of the solar system and comets.

The center is the only Kentucky venue to have hosted NASA’s national Hubble Traveling Exhibit. In 2019, the immersive 2,200-square-foot exhibit landed in Prestonsburg, Kentucky to share the Hubble mission and introduce the James Webb Space Telescope to regional visitors. It features a hands-on experience and images and data taken by Hubble of planets, galaxies, and regions around black holes that many people may not have access to unless they live close to a metropolitan city.

“These opportunities wouldn’t be available to us if we didn’t have a connection to NASA and the commitment to our community to bring them here,” said Susan Scott-Goble, the center's educator. “People want it, too, because we’ve had exceptional turnouts for these exhibits, like when NASA sent a representative to give a talk during the live observing session of the Great American Solar Eclipse Viewing of 2017 - there were so many people here you couldn’t move.”

Among the planetarium’s NASA-focused programming is To Space and Back, a show about space exploration and discovery; IBEX, an in-depth look at NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission and how IBEX is mapping our solar system’s boundary; and Astronaut, what it takes to become one both from science and an astronaut’s point of view.

This programming brings space exploration and education one step closer for Appalachians who may make mankind’s giant leap one day. n

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Arts + Culture

Kentucky Proud

BY SHANNON HOLBROOK

32 The Mountain SPIRIT

Arts + Culture

T

he smell of smoky bacon fills your nose right before you bite into that crusty sourdough as a juicy homegrown tomato tickles your tastebuds. This may be the best BLT you’ve had this side of your Grandma’s kitchen table. You follow it with a swig of lavender lemonade and realize you may have found a slice of heaven.

Heaven, apparently, is in Somerset, Kentucky, at The Market on Main, one of the most unique and locally impactful stores around. Owned and operated by John and Jamie Fitzwater, what began as an outdoor farmers market in 2013 has

evolved into a year-round, indoor retail store and impressive café that highlights small and exceptional producers from Kentucky and beyond.

Consider The Woodstock Lavender Company.

This local, fourth-generation family farm has found new life as a working lavender farm and sells their handmade lavender-infused products here. There’s also Rock Bottom Soap, handcrafted nearby by Amy Henson, of London, Kentucky, who milks the goats, mixes the soap, and delivers the finished goods herself. In fact, the Fitzwaters use nearly 80 local, statewide, nationwide, and fair trade worldwide suppliers.

(above) The Market on Main in Somerset, Kentucky is a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing customers with thoughtful food and gift options. What began as an outdoor farmers market in 2013 has evolved into a year-round, indoor retail store that highlights small and unique producers from Kentucky and beyond. (left) Mike Loiacono, a regular customer and a regional director of CAP human service programs, chats with owners, Jamie and John Fitzwater, after purchasing items at the store.

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive 33

Ar t s + C u l t u re

Christmas Toy Drive We are in great need of toys for our youngest children 1-5 years old, as well as our teens.

Donate new unwrapped toys

by Nov. 15.

Mail to: Christian Appalachian Project Family Advocacy Program 485 Ponderosa Drive Paintsville, KY 41240

Buy One, Give One!

A School Lunch Bento Box is one of the fun menu items at The Market on Main's Oh, Brother! Café.

“We find a lot of our producers through relationships and by visiting local markets,” Jamie explained. “We like to help those who haven’t sold before get their start and will talk to anyone to see how we can help.”

They’ve expanded into a second location at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and paid out nearly $100,000 to local producers and more than $400,000 to farmers and producers statewide. They have also created a viable community-focused space with a weekly knitting club, book clubs, workshops, and art events for all ages. Also, they provide game and block tables to encourage families to stay and play.

“We want to be a third place where people can come; a different sort of place that maybe wasn’t here before,” she said.

From Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30 - Saturday, Dec. 4, when you purchase a copy of the debut children's book from beloved New York Times bestselling author Annie F. Downs, Baker Publishing Group will donate a copy to a family that CAP serves! Help us fill stockings with this amazingly FUN book this Christmas!

Visit whatsoundsfuntoyou.com for all the details!

34 The Mountain SPIRIT

Their Oh, Brother! Café, run by son Joey, 14, uses many of the local products they sell. “We really like the energy it brings,” Fitzwater noted. The café draws locals and tourists and features fun items like PB&J bento boxes, hot and cold handhelds, salads, cookies by son James, 11, and a variety of custom drinks.

“We want to give area farmers a viable opportunity to make a living while nourishing our community,” she said. n To learn more, visit www.marketonmainky.com.

B O N U S CO N T E N T >>> n Stronger Together n The Road to Recovery n Serving Hope at Home

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Bonus

Stronger Together CAP programs team up to help young people with mental health

BY TINA V. BRYSON

Staff and volunteers with CAP’s Youth Empowerment Services and Family Life Counseling Service work together to meet challenges faced by children and teens.

36 The Mountain SPIRIT

Bonus

C

hristian Appalachian Project (CAP) works to leverage the strengths of different programs to benefit children and their families. Staff and volunteers with CAP’s Youth Empowerment Services (YES) encounter a myriad of challenges faced by the children and teens they build relationships with through in-school programs, teen leadership, and summer camp. Some of those challenges include trauma from abuse and it shows up in behaviors and interactions. Counselors from CAP’s Family Life Counseling Services are working to equip YES staff to address these issues.

“Chris Griffith and his team of trained counselors help us better recognize physical and psychological awareness and cues related to abuse,” said Pat Griffith, manager of Camp Shawnee. “Counseling staff usually come to camp to speak with our summer staff about what to look and listen for when they are with campers throughout the week. They have worked with us to create protocols for reporting suspected abuse to make sure we do all we can to provide a safe environment for the children we serve.”

YES staff and volunteers interact with more than 1,000 children a year through CAP’s Camp AJ and Camp Shawnee overnight, residential camps, as well as our day camp programs. In addition, public school students in CAP’s service counties receive in-school tutoring and other services through our YES Program.

“This training is really important so that we continue to be attentive to the whole child, whether we encounter them at camp or in school,” Griffith said. “Family Life Counseling Service is providing invaluable training that not only helps our staff and volunteers with everyday life, but it also helps them to be better leaders, role models, and teachers for young people in Appalachia.”

CAP’s professionally licensed mental health practitioners serve families, individuals, and groups in treating chronic, multi-layered problems. In addition to working with YES staff, Family Life Counseling Service equips families with the tools, skills, and healthy practices they need to eventually break free from the cycle of generational poverty.

“Our goal is to work with parents and children to identify, acknowledge, and treat previously unresolved mental health concerns that enable the family unit to function with more stability, support, and strength,” said Chris Griffith, manager of Family Life Counseling Service.

“We know that helping youth to address mental health problems will pay great dividends for their future."

— Chris Griffith

“When we can team up with another CAP program like YES, we can create a synergistic effect that works together to better serve our participants. We become “force multipliers” where several programs produce greater benefits than any of us could do independently.”

Griffith added, “We know that helping youth to address mental health problems will pay great dividends for their future. It’s an investment in them because they will use the skills and insights developed for the remainder of their lives. Problems that remain untreated harden and deepen over time. Counseling is a gift that releases young people from years of suffering.”

YES staff recognize that benefit as well and uses their time in school to provide students skills to help them apply good mental health practices in a variety of everyday settings. During the in-school program, some classes focus on leadership and the qualities of a leader such as integrity. Discussions include how you act around others and how you act when no one is looking.

“We know that these skills are very important for young people,” Griffith added. “We talk to them about self-awareness, including how we control our own emotions, how we feel, and how we can tell when we’re getting upset. But we also talk to them about solutions such as what we can do with those emotions (feelings).

We want them to be able to recognize their own triggers and how to deal with them in a positive, constructive, and productive way. Good mental health is critical.

I am grateful that we can collaborate with CAP’s counseling team in these efforts.” n

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Bonus

The Road to Recovery

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

T

hey are thankful to be safe after the flood, though their homes had up to 4 feet of water inside and 30 years' worth of belongings were destroyed. The Franklin* and Lewis* families were two of more than 80 families in Pike County, Kentucky, impacted by what the National Weather Service called “life threatening” flash flooding in late August.

“These were dangerously swift flood waters that did major damage,” said Jamie Conley, Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Housing manager for Floyd, Johnson, and Martin Counties. “Most of the homes were either washed away or beyond repair.

Around 90 percent of the homes impacted were total losses. Very few were repairable.”

38 The Mountain SPIRIT

While Disaster Relief efforts continue after historic flooding on the heels of an ice storm in Eastern Kentucky earlier this year, CAP’s Housing and Disaster Relief staff and volunteers stepped in to help the Franklin and Lewis families start their path to recovery by doing muck outs, or removing wet materials, mud, and debris from the homes and sanitizing to prevent molding.

“We did not hesitate to step up and step out to help these families in our own backyard,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief Program and the Housing manager for Rockcastle, Jackson, and McCreary Counties. “I am grateful for all of our staff and volunteers who have continued to bring comfort and hope for families who have faced devastation this year.”

Bonus

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Housing staff helped two families in Pike County, Kentucky, clean up mud and debris after flooding damaged their homes in late August. Housing crew leaders Mike Troutman (left) and Ron Morrow (right) were some of the staff who helped evaluate damages and muck out the homes.

For the Franklin and Lewis families, who live side by side, CAP staff and volunteers removed wet insulation from underneath both homes, removed 4 feet of sheetrock and insulation from the walls of one home and 2 feet of the same in the other. They also removed flooring, cabinets, furniture, and their damaged belongings. In the more than 30 years of living there, the families had never been flooded.

“The flood caused severe anxiety and depression to the homeowners,” Conley said. “They did not have flood insurance, so everything that was damaged is going to have to be replaced by them out of their pockets. Most of those are items they have worked hard for more than 30 years to have.”

Since March, CAP has mucked out 59 homes and repaired another 42, with five more in progress and one on the

waiting list. The disaster relief and recovery work that has been done throughout 2021 would not be possible without support.

“If it weren’t for our partners, volunteers, and donors, there is no way we could have helped all of those who needed help,” Conley said. “We typically do home repair but in emergency cases, such as the flooding that has taken place this year, we want to do what we can to help families in need, and that takes an army. We are very thankful for anything and everything our supporters have done for us to be able to answer prayers for these families.” n *Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our participants.

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Bonus

Simms Kerbaugh (right) chats with Johnny Hall, whose home was damaged by historic floods.

The team from Southland repaired flooring, installed drywall, and replaced underpinning to make his home safe, warm, and dry.

40 The Mountain SPIRIT

Bonus

Serving Hope at Home

BY TINA V. BRYSON

S

outhland Christian Church has traveled all over the world helping people in need and spreading the love of God through service. Due to the pandemic, they had to pause mission trips outside the United States, but this presented an opportunity to look for local partnerships like Christian Appalachian Project (CAP).

The church sent staff members to visit several CAP programs and witnessed first-hand the need in Eastern Kentucky. They saw the opportunity to serve children, families, and seniors within driving distance of their main campus in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

“The partnership with Southland Christian Church expands capacity for CAP. When they responded, this allowed CAP crew leaders to lead additional projects for families dealing with flooding devastation. By combining our forces, we worked together to increase the number of families that could be helped and allowed them to get back into their homes,” said Becky Neuenschwander, manager of Mission Groups.

“Every pair of hands is a vital part of transforming lives in Appalachia. Volunteers from Southland served on kitchen crews to feed large groups and partnered with our Housing Program to make homes safe, warm, and dry,” she said. “But they also sent an entire team of highly-skilled volunteers who helped with disaster recovery. We are grateful to have had the chance to help so many families.”

Southland opened 65 years ago with 170 people.

Now, on any given Sunday, there are over 10,000 people attending services at one of their five campuses located in Nicholasville, Lexington, Danville, Georgetown, and Richmond.

Volunteers from Southland Christian Church helped repair homes. Southland coordinated 11 mission trips with over 100 volunteers to CAP's service areas.

“After hearing the news of the flood damage in Eastern Kentucky in the spring, Southland knew the church could partner with CAP to meet these immediate needs in a very real way,” said Lauren McCoart, coordinator of Church Relations. “We were grateful for a very generous donation immediately followed by five different groups of volunteers to help with flood recovery.”

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Bonus

Ultimately, Southland coordinated 11 mission trips with over 100 volunteers to CAP's service areas. Volunteers ranged in age from 15 years old to late 70s. For some, this was their first time on a mission trip, and it was helping their neighbors in Appalachia. Projects included repairing and installing decks/ramps, roofs, windows, and floors. Teams also worked on bathroom and kitchen renovations, as well as drywall repair/replacement.

Teams not only repaired homes, but worked to make connections with the families too. Some volunteers had ties to the region and all of them demonstrated that what they had in common was the love of Christ and the passion to help people in need in Appalachia.

“The volunteers that worked on these projects also worked to build relationships with the people that were displaced by the flooding,” said Mark Perraut, Southland’s mission pastor. “Our volunteer teams were impressed with CAP’s staff. All of the staff and longterm CAP volunteers made Southland’s volunteers feel so welcome and part of the team.”

42 The Mountain SPIRIT

Philip Noble (left) and Colin Hattrick (right) replace drywall in the Hall home damaged by spring flooding.

CAP looks for additional opportunities to partner with churches in Central Kentucky and Southland has been a model of what service partnerships can look like.

“It has been my privilege to get to work with Southland's staff in making connections between the church’s mission and vision, and how that can be accomplished through CAP programs,” McCoart added. “Southland started with sending some members to participate in BuildUP, CAP’s one-day housing blitz, but also packed over 25,000 toothbrushes into care packages for children across Appalachia.

Now, there are teams helping with disaster recovery and home repair. We truly are able to impact more people and I’m excited to see continued growth in our relationship.” n

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IN THIS ISSUE

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IA N H R IS T

SU IS IS IN TH Odds ing the

CH A P PA LA E

rvice n Beat eets Se ngth M n Stre id Unafra ory n A Life Your Own St ng n Telli

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n Answering the Call n The Lord Provides n Service at a Social Distance n Impossible to Imagine

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Ripple Effect

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Love your neighbor

RISE a Shinend

A BIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT

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Find BONUS stories in the digital version of the magazine at

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Christian Appalachian Project

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STIAN

APPA

LACH IAN

PROJE CT

MER 20

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