n Hope Is Here
n No Worries
n Bridging the Gaps
n Work With a Purpose
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Since the founding of Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) in 1964, employees and volunteers have gone above and beyond to serve children, their families, and seniors in need in our region. In my role, I am lucky to have the opportunity to get to know and see this group of dedicated people at work, being the hands and feet of Christ every day. They take pride in every task they do and offer services with compassion and dignity. They meet each participant where they are and walk alongside them through what could be a challenging period of their life.
Brianna Stephens bstephens@chrisapp.org
CAP is unique in that many of our employees and volunteers live in the areas we serve. They have a deep understanding of the needs that exist in our region as well as the challenges our participants may face in meeting those needs. Our employees and volunteers are grateful for the work they can do because of your support. Your compassion makes it possible for CAP to continue building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.
Disaster has impacted our region twice since September. Because of your generosity, CAP programs responded quickly to help our neighbors in need. CAP’s Disaster Relief program was on the ground in East Tennessee, helping families pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding. Read more about our response in Tennessee on page 6. In February, an unprecedented flash-flooding event devastated communities in Eastern Kentucky. On page 10, read how CAP began to respond and helped one of our own impacted by the disaster.
Carolyn Lindsey has been with CAP for 40 years, serving in several programs, including our Grateful Bread Food Pantry, Elderly Services, and Family Advocacy. Her daughter, Sarah Dillingham, has been a part of CAP programs since childhood, served as an AmeriCorps member for one year, and is now a CAP employee. She is excited for the opportunity she has to not only serve alongside her mother, but to give back to the programs that transformed her life. Learn more about the mother-daughter duo on page 20.
For the last 35 years, Suzann Fenton has transformed the lives of hundreds of children in Eastern Kentucky through CAP’s Parents Are Teachers initiative. Her drive to help children reach their full potential comes from personal experience, as she struggled through school in her youth and was told she would not succeed. On page 24, read about the ministry of her work and a few of the families she has helped.
It takes all of us to make a difference. Thank you for being a part of this transformative mission and empowering not only the work we do, but the people we serve. We are grateful for your prayers and support.
Spirit
Building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
Brianna Stephens
COPY EDITOR
Stephanie Avent
PHOTO CREDITS
Toy Adams, Dillion Baldwin, Tyler Barrett, Tina Bryson, James Dwight Caines, Ricki Pryor, Lori Ross, Brianna Stephens, Lauren Weaver, Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County, Hindman Settlement School
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 2025. 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.
Meet the Writers
Brashear
is a freelance writer based in Central Kentucky.
Eugenia Johnson-Smith
Eugenia is a freelance writer based in Central Kentucky.
Faith
6 Overcoming Tragedy
When Hurricane Helene caused widespread catastrophic damage in the Southeast, employees and volunteers from CAP programs came together to respond to the need and help our neighbors in East Tennessee.
10 Hope Is Here
Communities in Eastern Kentucky are rebuilding after an unprecedented flash-flooding event brought devastation to the region earlier this year. CAP is there to help families get back on their feet.
Service
14 No Worries
Fern Coffey did not know how much longer she would be able to stay in her trailer, which needed extensive repairs. One day, a knock on her door brought her a new sense of hope.
16
Serving in God’s Mission
Kason and Clara Jane’s lives are being transformed through the critical social-emotional skills they learn with CAP’s mobile classroom.
18 Bridging the Gaps
Andrea Horn serves as a targeted case coordinator, a new role to CAP’s Family Life Counseling Services that connects program participants to resources that will meet the needs they have outside of mental health counseling.
Compassion
20 Work With a Purpose
Carolyn Lindsey and her daughter, Sarah Dillingham, dedicate their lives to serving Appalachians of all ages through CAP’s programs.
22
Christmas Miracles Still Happen
CAP’s Operation Sharing program partnered with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to distribute 2.8 million toys to children in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina for Christmas.
24 Unconditional Love
Suzann Fenton helps children reach their full potential through her role in CAP’s Parents Are Teachers initiative.
Appalachia Spotlight
26 A Bright Future
BRIGHT Kentucky, a program of the Leadership Kentucky Foundation, focuses on building the next generation of leaders in the Appalachian region of the state.
ON THE COVER: Charles
David Poston was helped by CAP's Disaster Relief program after flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky devastated his home.
28 Setting the Record Straight
Melissa Helton reflects on the events of the 2022 floods that led to the creation of the anthology Troublesome Rising: A Thousand-Year Flood in Eastern Kentucky
Emily
Emily
Tina V. Bryson Tina is CAP’s director of Communications.
Grateful Threadz Thrift Store Closes
CAP announced the permanent closure of Grateful Threadz Thrift Store in October. The store specialized in gently used clothing and household items but was also a gathering place for the community. In the past few years, inexpensive clothing and household goods have become more widely available in the county. CAP’s mission has long been to avoid the duplication of services; therefore, CAP leadership has identified additional needs where CAP can be most effective in continuing to serve families in Appalachia.
“One of CAP’s strengths through the decades has been our flexibility and willingness to pivot towards the areas of greatest need,” said Mike Loiacono, CAP’s assistant vice president of human services. “At this time, basic needs like food and a warm, safe, and dry home are what the folks in Eastern Kentucky are having
the most trouble affording. We plan to reallocate our resources in those directions for Rockcastle and surrounding counties.”
Operation Sharing Receives Essential Warehouse Equipment
CAP’s Operation Sharing program was selected as the recipient of this year’s Equipment Giving Program from Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics. The awarded Electric Walkie Pallet Truck will enhance operational efficiency in Operation Sharing’s warehouses and facilitate effective handling of essential items that are received and distributed to people in need across the region through strategic partnerships.
“We are so thankful for the support of Bailey,” said Ben Ridner, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Corbin. “Operation Sharing serves nearly 2 million people each year, with about 1,500 partners that help along the way. Bailey is at the top of the list when it comes to support. The electric pallet jack donation will allow us to better serve more people in the 15 states that we cover across the Appalachian region.”
Bailey’s Equipment Giving Program has empowered nonprofit organizations by providing state-of-the-art material handling solutions.
CAP Continues Work at Jackson County Food Bank
CAP is partnering with the Jackson County Food Bank as they transition programming to CAP. This partnership ensures residents will continue to have access to pantry items that serve children, their families, and seniors in the area. The food bank has been a staple in the community since 1986, with Joyce Marks volunteering as its director. Prior to her passing in January, she began a partnership with CAP that has provided the community with a way to continue the work she started in Jackson County.
The pantry serves about 400 families per month. CAP staff, along with current food bank volunteers, will continue to work while CAP begins plans to build a new expanded pantry on the same site. Operations will continue without interruption during construction.
Storage Bay Constructed for Disaster Relief and Home Repair Programs
A new storage bay for the Disaster Relief program’s essential equipment was constructed by volunteers of the BCT/Mt. Airy mission group. The group serves with CAP annually through a variety of human services programs and facilities projects, like the storage bay. The new facility will house the Disaster Relief program’s shower trailer and includes a work bench and wall shelving on either side. A part of the new storage bay will also be used by CAP’s Home Repair program to store materials and supplies.
“We are grateful for the efforts of the BCT/Mt. Airy group,” said Bryan Byrd, director of Home Repair and
CAP will ensure the pantry will continue operations by providing two full-time employee positions to serve Jackson County residents.
Melvin and Joyce Marks came to Jackson County in 1964 shortly after CAP was incorporated. A small staff of volunteers have kept the food bank running with support from local churches and businesses, as well as the county detention center.
“My dad, straight out of college, came to work for CAP. Without CAP, my parents wouldn’t have ended up in McKee, they wouldn’t have ended up in Jackson County,” said Paul Marks, son of Melvin and Joyce Marks. “This is a full circle moment where CAP has taken what has been special to my mom and made sure that her life’s work will continue.”
CAP’s Volunteer Program. “They are not only serving our program participants but are ensuring we have effective and efficient facilities that support the work we do.”
Overcoming Tragedy
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
Hurricane Helene wasn’t what anyone expected it to be. After the storm’s devastating impact in the Southeast, employees and volunteers from Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) programs came together to help with relief efforts through hands-on work, compassionate services for youth, and donation facilitation to disaster areas.
“I am grateful that when families are hurting following a disaster, CAP staff from a variety of programs come together to help those families get back on their feet,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief program.
Disaster Relief
CAP’s Disaster Relief program was on the ground in East Tennessee for four weeks, assessing damage, removing downed trees and limbs, and mucking out homes and treating them with mold remediation solution. Sixtysix employees and volunteers served for 4,430 hours. Forty-six homes were assessed, and 24 homes were mucked out and cleaned.
CAP was there to help people like Gary Cloyd. He lost everything in the flood, including his brother. Water from the Nolichucky River filled the basement of Cloyd's
Gary Cloyd's home was devastated by Hurricane Helene's impact.
When floodwaters receded, CAP's Disaster Relief program assessed homes in East Tennessee.
CAP employees and volunteers removed mud and soiled materials from homes following the disaster.
home and rose 5 feet into his living spaces. The force of the water was so great, it picked up his 40-by-70-foot detached garage and wrapped it around the side of his house. He was told that possibly saved his single-story home from being completely overtaken by water. His neighbor’s home was condemned after the floodwater rose to the second floor.
“I was lucky that was not my case,” Cloyd said. “It would be much easier to build something new here, but I’m not allowed to do it. I have one option. Either make my home livable again — which [is difficult because] I’ve lost everything — or walk away and lose my land. I’ve either got to start over with the frame or start my life over again at 67 somewhere else.”
In the wake of the flood, CAP helped Cloyd remove the standing water, mud, and debris that filled his basement. In his community, Cloyd is used to helping others, but he is grateful for the help and support he has received.
“It’s hard to explain ‘thank you,’” Cloyd said. “If somebody gives you a bottle of water, you say ‘thank you.’ But how do you say ‘thank you’ now? This is beyond that. There should be a different word made up for something like this. God bless you all.”
While CAP’s employees and volunteers returned from East Tennessee, Renner continues to collaborate with agencies on ongoing recovery efforts.
“We were there to listen to the families and to give them hope. Hope that they will overcome this tragedy and hope that this too shall pass,” Renner said. “When you have never experienced the depth of such a tragedy, you don’t know where to start. I am grateful we were able to share what we know and how to start a long-term recovery process. We will continue to keep in touch to help answer questions when needed.”
Mobile Classroom
CAP’s mobile classroom deployed to East Tennessee to be a light to children and their families in a time of disaster. Lori Ross, CAP’s Infant/Toddler caseworker, and Julie Higginbotham, Eagle Community Center youth and family coordinator, drove the mobile classroom to shelters, community centers, and multiagency resource centers to offer games, books, and activities to children.
Higginbotham remembers a 4-year-old girl in a princess dress gray with dried mud and rain boots who came to the mobile classroom. She picked out a book for Ross to
Through the mobile classroom, Lori Ross and Julie Higginbotham of CAP's Eagle Community Center offered games and activities to children impacted by the disaster in East Tennessee.
read to her. It was a silly book, but it incited giggles from children and adults alike.
“The laughs were heartwarming and seemed as though, for some of the parents circled around, it was the first laugh they’d had in more than two weeks. People would walk up to us, almost glassy eyed, and you could tell they were so tired,” Higginbotham said. “Just that chance to relax and see their kids smile — I hope it gave them the light and peace of mind they needed.”
Another girl looked forward to reading a book with Ross, but her mom said it was time to go. “Just one more book, Mom! She has my favorite book ever, and the water killed mine,” she said. The mom teared up. Ross handed the book to the girl and told her to take it with her since she lost hers. In that moment, she was so happy, and the mother’s face brightened with hope.
Operation Sharing tractor trailer drivers Wesley Howard, Jon Preston, and Michael Abrams drove truckloads of essential items, like cleaning supplies, food items, and drinks, to Bristol Motor Speedway, which served as the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center.
Operation Sharing
Since the immediate impact of Hurricane Helene in Appalachian communities, CAP’s Operation Sharing program has managed donations from across the country to ensure relief supplies reach the impacted areas as quickly as possible. CAP’s Operation Sharing program locations in Kentucky have sent more than 40 tractor-trailer loads of essential items worth around $3.5 million to communities in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Operation Sharing will continue to send additional truckloads as long as essential items are needed to help families get back on their feet.
“We know there are people hurting right now. We are trying to do everything we can to help them,” said Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Paintsville. “We stand with our brothers and sisters today in prayer and will stand beside them in relief. CAP is there for the long haul.” n
“We stand with our brothers and sisters today in prayer and will stand beside them in relief. CAP is there for the long haul.”
— Aaron Thoms
Downtown Paintsville was impacted by flash flooding in February.
Hope Is Here
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
Children, their families, and seniors in Eastern Kentucky are facing the impact of another disaster. In February, an unprecedented flash-flooding event put the entire state of Kentucky under a state of emergency. For people in the eastern part of the state who faced the 2022 floods, ongoing recovery efforts were thwarted, forcing them to start over again. When disaster strikes, Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is there to restore hope.
“We are neighbors helping neighbors,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP's Disaster Relief program. “We are heartbroken for the devastation we see all around. CAP’s Disaster Relief program will stand alongside people in need in Appalachia in the days and weeks to come.”
Immediately following the flooding, extreme cold set in and up to 6 inches of snow fell in parts of Eastern Kentucky, bringing more challenges to the area. CAP programs persevered and came together to coordinate a response to meet the needs of flood survivors.
In less than a week following the flood, Operation Sharing received and redistributed nearly two dozen tractortrailer loads of essential items to impacted areas and hand delivered 300 generators to communities in Perry and Clay Counties. The Salvation Army of Hazard/Perry County is an Operation Sharing partner that receives the loads and distributes the items to people in need.
When flooding impacts rural communities, roads can become impassible, making navigation difficult. The
(Above) CAP's Operation Sharing program delivered essential items to partner agencies in the disaster area.
(Below) The Salvation Army of Hazard/Perry County partnered with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to deliver hot meals and essential items from Operation Sharing by boat to families in need.
Salvation Army partnered with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to deliver hot meals and essential items from Operation Sharing by boat to families living around Buckhorn Lake. After the flood, residents were stranded in their homes — some for up to three weeks — until the lake receded.
“This disaster has been a hard one,” said Melissa Miller, chair of The Salvation Army of Hazard/Perry County. She is a flood survivor herself and had to be picked up at her home by boat to go to the Salvation Army Center to help others. “It happened quick, and most people were not prepared. People desperately need groceries, drinks, and whatever we can get to them. With the help of Christian Appalachian Project, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, and the Disaster Salvation Army Unit, we’ll get those delivered.”
Many of CAP’s employees and volunteers live in the impacted areas alongside the people we serve. When the Disaster Relief program began home assessments and muck outs, employees and volunteers began work on the Lafferty family home.
The home belongs to the parents of Ed Lafferty, CAP’s IT coordinator. His parents had lived in the home for five years and had never seen water come higher than the bottom step of their porch. When the flash flooding happened, they saw the water rise past the seven steps leading up to their porch and 18 inches into their living space. In the home behind them lived Lafferty’s sister and brother-in-law, who saw 5 feet of water in their home. Members of both households escaped the rising waters in a jon boat.
CAP's Disaster Relief program helped start the recovery process for family members of Ed Lafferty, CAP IT coordinator, after the flood.
“CAP’s Disaster Relief program will stand alongside people in need in Appalachia in the days and weeks to come.”
— Robyn Renner
“I’m thankful they’re safe,” Lafferty said. “My parents worked hard their whole lives. A lot of their livelihood is gone now. I’m thankful CAP has been able to be part of their recovery.”
CAP employees are also thankful to be able to help one of their own. “It’s a blessing to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Mark Cable, CAP’s Home Repair manager for Rockcastle and McCreary Counties, who helped work on the Lafferty home.
“There's no discrimination between poverty and wealth when it comes to a disaster. Being in Appalachia, there are a lot of impoverished areas, and when one event comes through and takes everything away from
someone, they may not have the financial means to start over,” he added. “The support we receive from donors is a huge step in helping people in disasters. There is a sense of pride that a lot of people won’t ask for help. It’s a last resort to ask for it. By CAP being able to provide that help, it gives them hope that there are people who care for them.”
CAP is asking for financial donations and volunteers to help meet the immediate and long-term needs of families recovering from flooding. To volunteer, email volunteermanagement@chrisapp.org. If you wish to support CAP’s efforts to provide flood relief, please visit our website at christianapp.org/reliefnow and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response. n
In February, Calf Creek United Baptist Church in Martin County experienced its worst flooding event.
Carl Harville, assistant pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Pikeville, a partner agency of Operation Sharing, unpacks cleaning supplies from CAP.
A volunteer takes a break while pulling out wet insulation from underneath a flooded home.
CHURCH RELATIONS
“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)
Whether your church is on the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between, it can help make a difference for people in need in Appalachia. By volunteering, giving monetary contributions, or donating 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 Sarah James at 606.308.8094 or email Churches@chrisapp.org.
Service
No Worries
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
Ahome is usually a place of comfort, but Fern Coffey feared hers. With faulty electricity, the home’s lighting was unreliable, and the only way the 73-year-old could see at night was with a flashlight and candles. She spent most of her time in the living room because the floors were weak and already collapsing in other rooms. Her water heater fell through the floor, leaving her without hot water for two years. With only one working outlet, she relied on kerosene heaters and a wood stove for warmth. With no underpinning on the trailer, her water pipes froze during the winter. When the wind blew during a storm, the deteriorating roof rattled and the trailer shook.
But then one day, there was a knock at her door.
“I didn’t know how much longer I was going to last in my trailer. I was in pretty bad shape until Clarence came and rescued me,” Coffey said. “When he came to my door, I was in shock.”
Clarence Bowles, a Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Home Repair program crew leader, led efforts to give Coffey a safe, warm, and dry home. After evaluating the trailer and the extensive repairs that were needed, the trailer was deemed beyond repair, and CAP made plans to build a new home in its place. Construction started
in February 2024 during CAP’s annual WorkFest, an alternative spring break trip for college students, and was completed in early June. Volunteers from across the country worked alongside CAP employees to build
Fern Coffey looked forward to making a warm meal on her stove in her new home (pictured in top photo above).
the nearly 500-square-foot home and customize it as much as possible for Coffey, who is 4 feet 4 inches tall.
“While we worked, we brought in Fern and measured everything against her to ensure it was easily accessible and just right for her,” Bowles said. Special features of the home included steps with a lower rise off the front and back porch, and a lower installation height for light switches, the showerhead, and the bathroom vanity.
Through a partnership with Jackson Area Technology Center in Jackson County, carpentry students build cabinets for CAP’s Home Repair program projects. For this project, the students built custom cabinets for Coffey’s kitchen, and CAP installed new appliances. As Coffey watched her new home come to life, she looked forward to cooking in her kitchen, as previously, she did not have a working cooking stove in her trailer and relied on meals that could be cooked in a microwave or heated on her wood stove.
“We are grateful for this new partnership we have and for the hard work of each student,” Bowles said. “They are making an impact on the community they live in and are transforming the lives of people like Fern.”
When work was complete and it was time to give Coffey the keys to her new home, CAP employees and volunteers were there to celebrate the occasion. CAP provided her with a variety of small household items,
“The first thing I did when I moved in was just sit there for a minute and take it in. I sure am grateful for the work that was done on this home.”
— Fern Coffey
like a fan and cooking utensils, as housewarming gifts. Bowles also said a prayer over the home, just as he does with each project he completes.
“I’m excited to have hot water and a floor that won’t fall through. I don’t have to fool with another stick of wood. No more wood, no more candles,” Coffey said. “The first thing I did when I moved in was just sit there for a minute and take it in. I sure am grateful for the work that was done on this home.”
In addition to Home Repair, Coffey is a participant in CAP’s Garden and Seeds initiative, which provides individuals with seeds or vouchers to purchase produce plants for home gardens. She also participates in CAP’s Christmas distributions, which provide Christmas gifts and a ham for families and seniors, and she receives a monthly commodity food box.n
Pictured is Coffey with CAP Home Repair program members, from left, Shannon Jewell, assistant crew leader; Heather Peters, caseworker; Ken Stuber, manager; Cory Gudenrath, AmeriCorps member; Clarence Bowles, crew leader; and John Harris, Elderly Home Repair crew leader.
Serving in God’s Mission
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
Two-year-old Kason stands at his front door anxiously waiting. When the colorful mobile classroom from Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) turns into his driveway, he cheers and eagerly waves to the driver. Lori Ross, CAP’s Infant/ Toddler caseworker, makes the stop to see Kason and his 1-year-old sister, Clara Jane, every other week for their lessons.
“These kids have my heart,” Ross said. “Having a child excited to see you tells you you’re doing something right. I’m proud to see the impact the mobile classroom is making on children in our area. I love my job.”
The mobile classroom is an initiative of CAP’s Eagle Community Center in McCreary County, which launched
in 2023 in partnership with Save the Children. The mobile classroom ensures children from birth to 3 years old receive critical developmental care. Ross works with children and their families, offering developmental screenings and specialized lessons to meet the needs of the children she serves. Ross also performs maternal health screenings, promotes self-care and self-confidence in guardians, and evaluates needs to connect families to essential services CAP or other organizations may offer.
Like many children she sees, Ross works with Kason and Clara Jane on social-emotional skills — skills Ross has discovered children in her area need help developing. However, the geography of Appalachia can pose challenges in finding services or opportunities that are available to help children and their families in the region.
The mobile classroom launched in partnership with Save the Children in 2023.
Clara Jane enjoys her time on the mobile classroom with Lori Ross, CAP Infant/Toddler caseworker.
“We are thankful and respectful of each dollar or resource we receive, that we use it to help build the families we serve and our region. We are
all serving
God through this mission, and you can tell He
— Lori Ross
“Social-emotional skills are so incredibly important,” Ross said. “I see almost every one of the children I work with struggle with it. Services for families are not something that is readily available in our area because it is so rural. We are isolated. I want to help as many families as I can. I want to be there to say, ‘I’m in your corner, we’re going to get through this together, and you are not alone.’”
Ross finds that consistency in her lessons is key to making progress in skills and building trust with the children and families she serves. When she first met Kason and Clara Jane, they were very shy and only comfortable being with their mother. Through consistent lessons and encouraging video messages during the week, Ross gained their trust and developed their social skills through imagination play, reading books, learning colors and letters, and simple playtime. Today, the brother and sister are open to being with other people, making new friends at church, and attending play
is in everything that we do.”
groups and events hosted at Eagle Community Center alongside other children and their families.
“We absolutely love when Ms. Lori comes for our visit,” said Valerie, Kason and Clara Jane’s mother. “We signed up for the mobile classroom in hopes that it would help them with their social skills and to form relationships with others. There’s something about Lori. They've bonded with her since the first day they met her. I am so thankful for this program and what it has done for my kids already.”
Ross is proud of the work she does in her community and is grateful for CAP supporters who make it possible.
“Our supporters are just as much a part of everything we do as I am,” she said. “We are thankful and respectful of each dollar or resource we receive, that we use it to help build the families we serve and our region. We are all serving God through this mission, and you can tell He is in everything that we do.” n
“There are so many people who are struggling in Appalachia, for one reason or another, and to have someone in a role like this to help people in need navigate challenges is a wonderful blessing.”
— Andrea Horn
Andrea Horn serves as the targeted case coordinator in CAP's Family Life Counseling Services.
Bridging the Gaps
BY EMILY BRASHEAR
Bridges connect us — they create pathways and link one point to another. In her role as targeted case coordinator for Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), Andrea Horn works to connect individuals with community resources, meeting participants’ basic needs and ultimately supporting better mental health outcomes. Through her work with CAP’s Family Life Counseling Services (FLCS), she helps bridge the gaps, helping people find stability, support, and hope.
After she received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Morehead State University in 2012, Horn worked with the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a social service clinician for nearly six years. She focused on out-ofhome care with youth in foster care in association with the Department of Protection and Permanency. She then took a role as a case manager with Pikeville Medical Center before joining CAP.
She was drawn to FLCS from previous experience referring individuals to their services. “As a worker with the state, I remember making numerous referrals for clients to FLCS, particularly with Chris Griffith and Dale Hamilton,” Horn said. “I knew going in that if I was blessed enough to join the organization, that I was going to be surrounded by talented people throughout CAP who have the common goal of just helping others in Appalachia.”
Recently, catastrophic natural disasters have impacted the Appalachian region, an area that was already resource-poor relative to other areas of the state and the nation. Though the people of Appalachia remain incredibly resilient, poverty rates remain higher in Appalachia than the national average according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. Here, there is still a significant need for employment opportunities, reliable transportation, and quality education.
“The rigors of life here can bear down on our participants, and resources often don’t meet the demands placed upon them,” says Chris Griffith, manager of FLCS. “Many people have been impacted by the historic flood we experienced in 2022. We have served those directly affected and those
whose family members were hit hard. The aftereffects are like waves that emanate outwards. There has been a trickle effect where some displaced families have been taken in by their families or some have needed financial assistance in the interim. We see the long-term stressors of this trauma at multiple levels.”
Horn’s targeted case coordinator role was created to address this ongoing need. Alleviating the challenges participants face can support positive mental health treatment outcomes. Horn helps create bridges between the people FLCS serves and the available community resources or resources within CAP that will benefit them. This can look like housing assistance, funding for education, transportation, or resources to address food insecurity.
“Through my role as a targeted case coordinator, I am able to make community connections with some wonderful organizations that offer services CAP does not currently have,” Horn said. “I feel as if there is so much good being done in counseling through our wonderful counselors, and maybe [participants] cannot fully absorb everything they are learning and processing if they are worried about meeting their basic needs outside of that therapeutic process. Through case coordination, I am able to help offset that worry for them so they can focus on their mental health needs.”
With the addition of Horn in this role, the counselors at FLCS have been able to focus on mental health treatment planning and service delivery while she fills the need for advocacy and referrals for resources for participants. She is able to help them build a strong and stable foundation.
“There are so many people who are struggling in Appalachia, for one reason or another, and to have someone in a role like this to help people in need navigate challenges is a wonderful blessing,” Horn said.
To learn more about FLCS and the services they offer, visit christianapp.org/familycounseling. n
Compassion
Work With a Purpose
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
It doesn’t take much to change your life. At 20 years old, Carolyn Lindsey wanted to do mission work and was told about Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). The Ohio native applied for volunteer service and came to Eastern Kentucky with the intention to stay for one year. Forty years later, the building she once resided in as a volunteer now houses her office as the director of human services programs for CAP.
“No matter what your plan is for your life, God is going to take you where He wants you. I would have never dreamt that I would be where I am today in the position that I am today,” Lindsey said.
At CAP, Lindsey managed several programs, including Grateful Bread Food Pantry, Elderly Services, and Family Advocacy. In her current role, she oversees these programs as well as CAP’s Family Life Child Development Center, Eagle Community Center, and Eagle Food Pantry.
Just as CAP has been an important part of her life, it has been the same for her family. Both of Lindsey’s daughters participated in CAP programs in their childhood, attending a child development center, Camp AJ, and the former Rockcastle Youth and Teen Center (in operation from 1986 to 2003).
“I grew up around CAP. It has always been such a safe, welcoming, and loving environment, no matter what program I participated in. I remember the first time I felt the presence of God was while we were singing worship songs at Camp AJ,” said Sarah Dillingham, one of Lindsey’s daughters. “It’s always been a dream of mine to be a part of this mission.”
In 2024, Dillingham joined CAP as an AmeriCorps member, serving in the Family Life Child Development Center and Elderly Services program, both programs her mother also has experience with. While she participated in youth programs, Dillingham was also a participant of the Grateful Bread Food Pantry and CAP’s Christmas distributions, and her children have been
served through Camp AJ and the Parents Are Teachers initiative through the child development center.
“When I learned about AmeriCorps, I thought of it as a way to give back to CAP,” Dillingham said. “When I had to go to the pantry, I was very nervous to go in. That’s how a lot of people feel when they’re in need,
Carolyn Lindsey helped organize Christmas distribution events while serving as the manager of CAP's Family Advocacy program.
(Left) As an AmeriCorps member, Sarah Dillingham served in CAP's Family Life Child Development Center and Elderly Services program.
(Below) Pictured are the mother-daughter duo during the AmeriCorps member commissioning at CAP.
“The employees and participants I worked with as a volunteer are a reminder of why CAP’s mission is so special and impactful in our service area.”
— Sarah Dillingham
and it’s hard to ask for help. They welcomed me at the pantry, and it was a loving atmosphere. CAP has a way of making you feel dignified and respected. I want to make participants feel welcome and cared for, just like the programs have for me.”
Through their experiences at CAP, Lindsey and Dillingham have served Appalachians of all ages and have even met some of the same participants in the Elderly Services program. True to CAP’s culture, while they provided direct services, the women’s day-to-day work went beyond those services. They earned trust, built strong bonds, and advocated for their participants.
“What makes CAP’s services stand out is that we’re there for our participants,” Lindsey said. “We meet the needs they have, but we’ll also listen to them, pray with them, be with them. All those things are so important to our participants.”
Throughout CAP’s 60-year history, it is clear that each service provided in the communities we serve was done so with great intention and care. The current
employees and volunteers at CAP are part of a living legacy started by Rev. Ralph W. Beiting and continued by many hands. Dillingham is excited to be a part of that legacy with her mother.
“I can’t tell you the amount of people who came up to me and said, ‘Oh, you’re Carolyn’s daughter,’” she said. “But I’m so proud of that. I’m proud to be Carolyn’s daughter at CAP.”
“And I’m proud to be Sarah’s mom,” Lindsey added. “I’m proud that she volunteered here and provided the services she did.”
But the story doesn’t end there. After her year of volunteer service, Dillingham’s dream became reality, and she accepted an employee position at Grateful Bread Food Pantry earlier this year.
“The employees and participants I worked with as a volunteer are a reminder of why CAP’s mission is so special and impactful in our service area,” she said. “This is work with a purpose.” n
Christmas Miracles Still Happen
BY TINA V. BRYSON
Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Operation Sharing program, in partnership with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, distributed toys to students in 54 counties in Kentucky, as well as distressed Appalachian counties in Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. Children in several North Carolina counties that were impacted by Hurricane Helene also received toys.
“We received approximately 2.8 million toys. We were committed to getting the toys out to as many children as
possible,” said Ben Ridner, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Corbin. “This means the world to me. We don’t know what each kid may be dealing with on a daily basis, but these distributions, I think gives the kids a sense of security knowing if they need it there are people out there that want to help.”
Kentucky’s Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a former schoolteacher, was on hand to greet children and share holiday wishes with event volunteers at a distribution event in Lee County.
CAP's Operation Sharing program, in partnership with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, distributed 2.8 million toys to children in Appalachia for Christmas. A distribution event was hosted in Lee County.
“This is what we call the Team Kentucky spirit. It is showing up when people need you,” Coleman said. “This kind of outreach pays dividends down the road. To serve and make sure these kids have a merry Christmas is what this is all about. I am grateful Christian Appalachian Project is serving children in so many communities.”
CAP has been partnering with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for about five years with summer distributions. The donation of toys at a time when many families were still recovering from natural disasters really made a difference.
“This is home for us, and we have a deep love for the people here. Our goal is to be the hands and feet of Christ—spreading kindness, hope, and joy,” said Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Paintsville. “Life can be tough for so many families, and if we can bring smiles to children’s faces and lighten the burden even a little, then we are fulfilling our mission.”
He added, “The pure joy and excitement from the children was unforgettable. It wasn’t just about helping a select few. CAP was able to provide toys to every child through numerous school partnerships, making sure no one was left out. That inclusivity and impact made this effort truly special.”
Ridner and Thoms made about 400 phone calls to coordinate this multi-state event, as well as coordinating their teams and other CAP staff to sort and bag toys for each school district. Each child received toys with an estimated value of $150, with a special letter from Santa tucked inside.
(Left) Kentucky's Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman attended the distribution event in Lee County to help pack and distribute bags of toys.
(Below) CAP President/CEO Guy Adams volunteered alongside employees, like April Points, Rachel Hammond, and Julie Higginbotham, during the event.
“Life can be tough for so many families, and if we can bring smiles to children’s faces and lighten the burden even a little, then we are fulfilling our mission.”
– Aaron Thoms
“I’m very proud to work for an organization that supports us in helping as many people as we can,” Ridner added. “I am also so proud of all the staff that came together to make this a happy and joyful day for all the kids.”
At the in-person distribution, children were treated to hot chocolate and cookies. They visited with Santa Claus before picking up their bag of toys. Semi-trucks emblazoned with Operation Sharing’s message of “We Deliver Hope” delivered toys to schools that were closed due to inclement weather so schoolchildren could receive them upon their return to the building.
“I am most proud of the community collaboration, the dedication of CAP staff and our teams, and the impact we were able to make together,” Thoms said. “Honestly, I’m just grateful to have played even a small part in bringing joy to a child’s life this Christmas.”n
Fenton has served as a teacher in CAP's Parents Are Teachers initiative for 35 years.
Unconditional Love
BY BRIANNA STEPHENS
Without supportive Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) programs like our child development centers, many children and their families in the region would fall through the cracks. This past year, CAP’s Parents Are Teachers initiative celebrated 45 years of providing early intervention to children with developmental delays.
“It’s a ministry for me where I can provide hope and transform lives by providing different resources and walking alongside families who may be unsure of the future,” said Suzann Fenton. She has been with CAP for 37 years and has served as a teacher in Parents Are Teachers for the past 35 years. “Without Parents Are
Teachers and CAP, a lot of families wouldn’t have hope. They wouldn’t know where they would go or don’t have a support system to help them. Parents Are Teachers has truly changed my life. I just can’t express how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve.”
Fenton’s drive to help children reach their full potential comes from personal experience. She herself struggled through school and was told by her guidance counselor she would never be accepted into college, let alone make it through her classes. She learned in that moment that people can make a difference in their own lives if they are willing to work at it rather than accepting judgment that has been passed on them.
Suzann
“I hope that I have made a difference in people’s lives through living out our mission. CAP truly cares about people. We want to help make an impact in their lives.”
— Suzann Fenton
In her role, she has served hundreds of children in Eastern Kentucky. At times, Fenton meets families at their lowest, after they have been informed their child may never walk, talk, or thrive. She approaches her work with compassion and unconditional love, and without judgment. She strives to help each child reach their full potential as well as demonstrate to the parent how they can offer support and be an advocate for their child.
One week before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Fenton met Jasmine*, a single mother with three children. The youngest son, Josh*, who was nearly 2 years old at the time, had a rare genetic condition that impacted his development and overall health. When Fenton visited their home, Josh spent most of his time lying on his back with little movement, not interacting with anyone or anything around him. Jasmine was told he would never walk or talk.
Fenton connected Josh with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, and although facing pandemic closures and restrictions, she consistently did sessions virtually with Josh and Jasmine. After a year of hard work, Josh was able to sit up on his own and scoot around the room, and he could pull himself up to stand with a walker. He started to smile, play, and, for the first time, look Jasmine in the eye.
“It’s amazing to see the difference that can be made in the lives of families through Parents Are Teachers,” Fenton said.
Another highlight of her career is when Jacob Mason, who Fenton provided a variety of therapy interventions to as a child, came to see her as an adult. Mason had
developmental delays and faced several challenges because of his special needs. He struggled to learn how to feed himself, talk, crawl, and walk — but Fenton and his parents worked together to strengthen his skills and help him reach his full potential.
Mason graduated high school in 2014 in the top 15% of his class and graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Kentucky University in 2019. He went on to have a successful career. During their visit, Mason told Fenton about his accomplishments and thanked her for all she had done for him.
“I hope that I have made a difference in people’s lives through living out our mission. CAP truly cares about people. We want to help make an impact in their lives,” she said. “I am thankful for what CAP has done for me and for the work the organization has done in ministering to others for the past 60 years.” n
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our participants.
A memorable moment of Fenton's career is when she reunited with Jacob Mason, who she provided services to as a child.
A Bright Future
BY EUGENIA JOHNSON-SMITH AND BRIANNA STEPHENS
The future of tomorrow begins with the emerging leaders of today. Through opportunities like the programs offered through the Leadership Kentucky Foundation, Kentuckians can take an active role in advancing the state, grow to have a better understanding of the state’s issues, and forge new relationships among community and regional leaders.
“Leadership Kentucky opened my eyes to areas of our state that I had not had connection with or lived in or worked in and really helped me appreciate the
importance of giving back,” said Elmer Whitaker, president/CEO of Whitaker Bank and graduate of Leadership Kentucky, one of four programs offered through the foundation.
After graduating from the program and serving on the board for the foundation, Whitaker, a native of Eastern Kentucky, wanted to create an opportunity to inspire others in leadership development in the Appalachian region. His dream became reality through the establishment of a new Kentucky Leadership
“Without action, it’s all just talk and vision. I love vision, and I love talking, but at the end of the day, I like to see action.”
— Elmer Whitaker
Lauren Weaver (middle), a senior administrative assistant for CAP, celebrated her graduation from BRIGHT Kentucky with Karen Butcher, program coordinator, and Elmer Whitaker, president/ CEO of Whitaker Bank.
program. BRIGHT Kentucky focuses on building the next generation of leaders in the Appalachian region of the state, bringing people from the 54 Appalachian counties in Kentucky together to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development.
Some of the topics BRIGHT’s curriculum touches on include how jobs are created, how community development enhancement occurs, how grants and other financial resources are achieved, how to navigate political relations, regional topics, and more. The program includes five sessions in which participants travel to different parts of the region to learn about and experience other communities and industries.
“My ultimate goal was to inspire people to get more engaged, much like I did coming out of the Leadership Kentucky program, so that they would take more of their free time and invest it back not just into themselves but entire communities,” Whitaker said.
According to Whitaker, a high number of program participants have gone on to excel in their careers, run for public office, and take leadership roles in civic organizations.
Lauren Weaver, a senior administrative assistant for Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), participated
Participants in BRIGHT Kentucky traveled to the Kentucky Capitol and other areas of the state to learn about topics like political relations, community development, and regional industries.
in and graduated from BRIGHT Kentucky in 2023. A proud Appalachian native with a heart for service, she found the experience inspiring and encouraging when thinking about the future of the region.
“We have to stop competing and isolating our communities. We need to start collaborating and communicating with each other,” Weaver said. “The program exposed us to community leaders who shared their experiences and challenges with us and inspired us to do the hard things, have the hard conversations, and advocate for the unconventional when it benefits the region.”
Each session connected Weaver with other likeminded leaders who can work together to help create a brighter future for Appalachia. “The sessions gave me the confidence to be vocal, push my ideas out there, and work with strategic partners. It encourages me so much,” she said.
While BRIGHT Kentucky inspires deeper conversation and understanding, Whitaker hopes the program motivates emerging leaders to take pride in their communities and to take action to promote growth and success.
“We focus a lot of energy on the fact that, at the end of the day, when you put all those things together, you have to have action,” Whitaker said. “Without action, it’s all just talk and vision. I love vision, and I love talking, but at the end of the day, I like to see action.”
BRIGHT Kentucky is in its seventh year as a program. To learn more about BRIGHT and other Kentucky Leadership Foundation programs, visit leadershipky.org. n
Appalachia Spotlight Setting the Record Straight
BY TINA V. BRYSON
In late July 2022, a catastrophic flash flood claimed the lives of more than 40 people and devastated homes and communities in Central Appalachia. The 45th annual Appalachian Writer’s Workshop at Hindman Settlement School in Eastern Kentucky was in progress at that time. The school lies at the forks of Troublesome Creek in Knott County. As the floodwaters receded throughout the region, countless lives were forever changed.
From that experience was born an anthology called Troublesome Rising: A Thousand-Year Flood in Eastern Kentucky. Melissa Helton, literary director at Hindman, edited this work from well-known and emerging Appalachian writers who were able to share the depths of the flood’s devastation through their own lens.
“It had rained, and rained, and rained. The ground was already completely saturated. The rivers and the creeks were already running high,” Helton recalled. “At 2 a.m., everyone was sleeping, and the alerts started to come in.”
Fortunately, one of the writers was restless and saw that the water was rising very quickly. Because the others were alerted immediately, many were able to move to higher ground. “The water came in hard and fast. The electric was out. It was in the middle of the night; you could only assess where the water was or what was happening by the lightning flashes,” Helton said.
“Troublesome Creek is about 4 inches deep today,” she added. “During the floods of 2022, it crashed through campus at 20 feet. It’s just hard to imagine when you see water that is inches today and imagine it 10 feet over your head. To see a place that you love be destroyed is traumatizing.”
After the writers were safely off campus, there was finally a Wi-Fi signal in the community. Staff from Hindman planned a Zoom call two days after the flood.
“We wanted to check in on our friends. Someone made a joke about ‘When is the anthology coming out?’”
Helton recalled with a smile. “If you have 100 of the region’s best writers go through a flood, it’s going to be well documented. And not only the writers here, but the ones that weren’t here. Thousands of writers who have come through Hindman.”
Helton recalled a conference keynote from Dorothy Allison, who said, “We write to set the record straight.” That thought stuck with her and summarized the spirit of bringing this work together.
The Appalachian Writer's Workshop at Hindman Settlement School welcomes writers to come together annually for a week-long residency. The group was meeting when the 2022 floods impacted the community.
“This is not the last flood to ravage Appalachia. Hopefully, this offers a documentation, but also a mode of healing.”
— Melissa Helton
“When you’re able to tell your story, there’s power for you as an individual — but also, you’re setting the record straight. And especially in Appalachia, where outsiders came here and told the rest of the world what Appalachia was like. Now Appalachian literature is more nuanced. We’re seeing a broader, deeper picture of things.”
Helton invited 60 contributors of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and photography to participate. “When you have such an extensive writing family, who do you ask
Hindman is one of many Eastern Kentucky communities that experienced historic flooding in July 2022.
to be a part of the project? Some of the people I asked to contribute, couldn’t,” she said. “Some of them couldn’t stop writing about the flood, and some couldn’t start. It was just too soon. It was just six months after the flood. There are people who contributed to this project who received their first writing credit, as well as people with 20 or 30 books published. The flood didn’t care who you were. This was painfully relevant. This is not the last flood to ravage Appalachia. Hopefully, this offers a documentation, but also a mode of healing.” n
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE IN APPALACHIA
Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is proud to present “Hearts of Hope,” a powerful story of resilience, love for place, and commitment to service. It features artists, writers, community leaders, and policymakers— alongside CAP employees and volunteers. This is a must-see visual history of both CAP and the Appalachian region.
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