Oh, the Places You'll Go

When Kelly Hicks arrived as a Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) volunteer in 2000, she was a fresh-faced college graduate who didn’t have a career direction but had a strong desire to serve young people. For two years, she did just that at the Rockcastle Youth and Teen Center and at Camp AJ. It was a formational experience in her life. “My time with CAP directly impacted what was next for me,” she said. “It was a big part of defining who I wanted to be as an adult and set me on the path to a very fulfilling career.”

At CAP, Hicks realized she was passionate about working with teens and has found a home for that passion at Youth Go, a supportive community for youth in Neenah, Wisconsin. Now the executive director, Hicks has grown with the organization for 12 years.

While Hicks has found her home and vocation in Wisconsin, her time in Kentucky left an imprint on her heart. “It is my second home,” she stated unequivocally. She has found a way to honor the importance of both places in her life and annually brings Youth Go teens to CAP for a spring break service trip. Hicks is thrilled to share her special place with the kids from Wisconsin; she also knows the possibility that many will have their own life-changing experiences.

Youth Go is a drop-in center for teens in grades 5-12 providing nocost recreation, education, support, and wellness programs. They provide dinner, tutoring, transportation, and activities. While the programs are important, Hicks believes the most important thing is that teens feel safe, valued, and supported. The foundation for that work is positive and encouraging relationships between staff members and the youth they serve.

Ethen Emenecker, a recent Youth Go graduate shared, “My Youth Go experience has been truly life changing. It has provided me with a home on days I needed one. When I look back on my Youth Go experience, I can say I have gone from going nowhere, believing nothing is possible, to developing a sense of self-belonging and believing I am capable of anything.”

While a special emphasis is placed on recruiting at-risk youth who are in most need of their services, the diversity among participants makes the center a unique place. Youth Go celebrates the value of all youth. Because of that value, it attracts attendees from all family, socio-economic, neighborhood, and cultural backgrounds.

Hicks continues to bring Youth Go teens to CAP because she has seen transformations, including one that is similar to her own. James came to YouthFest for three years as a member of a Youth Go team. Kentucky left an imprint on his heart, too, and he returned after high school to volunteer at Camp AJ. It was a formational experience that influenced his own career path by confirming his desire to work with kids. He is now one of Hicks’ co-workers at Youth Go.

Each year, the 8-12 Youth Go team works with staff to raise funds so that they can join Hicks on her annual trip to YouthFest in Kentucky. This year they celebrated their thirteenth year of participation. During this time, they’ve worked with food distribution, installed new windows, done yard work, painted, built wheelchair ramps, and cleaned up Camp AJ.

“This is the best,” said Hicks. “We take a young person who is usually on the receiving end of services and give them the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.”

To date, Hicks has introduced 60 different young people to Kentucky and the power of serving with CAP. She continues to be impressed by the patience of employees and volunteers who help guide and teach the kids, giving them the opportunity to learn something new. She sees the increased confidence of the youth on the ride back to Wisconsin each year.

When Hicks reflects on her volunteer experience with CAP, its impact on her vocation, and the way CAP’s work continues to inspire and influence the teens at Youth Go, she sees it as no accident. She said, “CAP was definitely supposed to be part of my story.” • __________________________________________ Donate at christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive to help us continue to share these meaningful stories. Find out more about volunteering with CAP on our website at christianapp.org/volunteer