Issuu

July - August 1991

The Mountain Spirit The Magazine of the Christian Appalachian Project

The Mountain Spirit July - August 1991

The Magazine of the Christian Appalachian Project Vol. X, No. 4

Contents Features 4 A Ministry of Enthusiasm by Margaret Gabriel

Teressa Renner, a Rockcastle County gospel singer, began sharing her gifts with the youth at the Rockcastle Teen Center in January.

10 Born and Raised to Help

The CAP Closeup, Donna Turner, p. 14.

by Katie Newsome

The work of CAP is not only a task of its employees and volunteers. A great deal of work is done by people who live and work in Appalachia. Some have received CAP services, others just like to pitch in and help.

Freely Given by Shari Pesce

In addition to their “regular” jobs, CAP volunteers donate time in their off-hours to other programs to which they can make a contribution. Several volunteers in Floyd County are involved with a tutoring pro gram for children and young people.

To Make the World a Better Place by Megan Swiderski

Students from the University of Notre Dame have been working with CAP as temporary volunteers for 10 years with the encouragement of the university’s Center for Social Concerns.

Departments 3

Random Thoughts

Letters

The CAP Closeup

Around the Project

Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, p. 22.

The July - August Theme Volunteers add much to the work of the Christian Appalachian Project and to the area. Readers of The Mountain Spirit often read of the contributions of permanent volunteers. Indeed, some readers have volunteered a year or more of their time. There are other types of volunteers, though, volunteers who add just as much to the spirit and the service of CAP’s work. In this issue we will explore the contributions of temporary volunteers (volunteers who work with CAP for a week to three months), and those of local volunteers— people who are bom and raised and making their lives here. On page 22, you’ll meet temporary volunteers from Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns. On page four you’ll meet Teressa Renner, a musician who shares her gifts with the teenagers of Appalachia. On the COVER, a Notre Dame student spends some time with a Floyd County youngster. On the BACK COVER, a vigilant volunteer lifeguard on duty at Camp Andrew Jackson.

Published by the Christian Appalachian Project. Editor: Margaret Gabriel. Advisory Board: Father Ralph W. Beiting, Mike McLaughlin, Rose Price, Bill Begley, Ike Adams, Kathleen Ford Leavell, Barbara Delmonico. Graphic Designer: Elizabeth Reed Miller. Circulation: Linda Grider East. The Mountain Spirit is published six times a year. The annual subscription price is $5.00. Subscriptions and other correspondence should be sent to The Mountain Spirit, Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Road, Lancaster, KY 40446. Copyright, 1991, The Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. Ah rights reserved. Member, Catholic Press Association. The Christian Appalachian Project is a non-profit Christian service organization operating throughout Appalachia. The project operates on the philosophy that “helping people help themselves” is the best approach to Appalachian poverty.

The Mountain Spirit

Random Thoughts When we received a call at the volunteer house telling us we were getting a group of temporary volunteers, I took a deep breath. There would be four women living with us for one week in a house where we already had five people sharing two bathrooms. That doesn’t sound bad until you realize that the water pressure in the house is so poor that you can only use one water source at a time. That’s not easy for ten people who have to be ready for work before 8 a.m. Finally, I reconciled myself to the fact that if I wanted a shower in the morning, I would probably have to be the first one up at 6 a.m. I was tempted to hit the snooze when it went off, until I remembered the army of people who might take my turn and leave me dry. At that thought, I sprinted into the bathroom to start my day. When time came for the 45-minute drive to work, I was awake and alive, good characteristics when you’re driving curious “temps” to their first day at work with the Christian Appalachian Project. They knew they would be working with pre-schoolers at the Eagle Child Development Center, and had a string of questions. r

“Do any of them have running water?” “Are most of the mothers our age?” “Do the kids come to school hungry and dirty?” I was a bit worried about the naivete, but they reminded me of how I felt when I first arrived in Kentucky. The temps showed me how much I had learned, and begun to take for granted, in only a few months. Eagle Child Development Center, one of CAP’s five pre-school programs, is in the heart of McCreary County, Kentucky, one of the most beautiful and needi est counties in the state. Oddly enough, that beauty keeps the county depressed. Most of the county sits within the Daniel Boone National Forest, a federal land reserve, on which no property taxes are assessed. Property tax is a major source of revenue, so a small county or one with a small amount of taxable land suffers a great disadvantage in school funding, as well as in providing other government services. The lack of school funding leads to lower education levels, so it’s difficult to attract new industry to the area. Jobs in the coal mines have not been replaced; when unemployment ran out, so did family incomes. Tempo rary volunteers often listen with only one ear to these windy explanations—until they meet the kids at Eagle. July - August 1991

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Belh Dotson, left, shares outside playtime with Eagle students and temporary volunteer Megan Barry.

Once the children arrived, many of the answers to the questions were evident. The temps observed carefully, learning how to work with the kids in the center as well as learning about their lifestyles. They picked up on school routines and found gaps they could fill. As I saw them so easily become a part of the children’s lives, I forgot that I didn’t used to get up at 6 a.m. These temporary volunteers were able to give individual attention to children who thrive on it. They added talents, warmth and love to a place that was already special to the kids, but took on a pleasant personality twist with each new temp group.. With some help from temporary volunteers, the regular pre-school staff was able to take a few breaks during the day that kept them fresher for the children. They also learned from the new ideas, energy and curiosity the temporary volunteers contributed. I was grateful to be able to share the CAP experience with our one-week helpers. Their views of CAP coun try, and the enthusiasm they spread, are great re energizing forces. Beth Dotson is a volunteer working at the Eagle Child Development Center. Beth will complete her volunteer commitment in August of 1991. 3

A Ministry of Enthusiasm story and photos by Margaret Gabriel

M u s i c is something that I can do, and I use it to serve Him,” explained Teressa Renner. “The parable of the talents in the Bible tells us that each of us were given talents, and God says ‘Of those to whom much is given, much is expected.’ If we just have one talent, then we should use that to the greatest extent that we can. If we have several talents, then much more is expected of us. ” Since January of 1991 Teressa has been using her talents to benefit the Christian Appalachian Project’s Rockcastle Teen Center. She is one of several local vol unteers who donate their time and talent to the center in order to make a contribution to the young people of Mount Vernon and Rockcastle County. Bom and raised in Mount Vernon, and not far removed from teen-age years herself, Teressa almost sheepishly admitted that she had little experience with the chal lenges teenagers have growing up in Mount Vernon. “I sang from the time I was eight years old, and we travelled. Almost every weekend we were gone sing ing. It kept me out of trouble, but while a lot of kids were having parties, I was singing,” she said. “I even missed my senior prom to be at a concert. I was invited by a great looking guy that I’d always wanted to go out with.”

Teressa Renner.

Teressa comes from a musical family (“If you didn’t sing in my family, you were left out! ”) of seven children who were influenced and encouraged by their parents. “My parents had a local group that sang bluegrass The Mountain Spirit

About 20 young people from the Rockcastle Teen Center will take part in the center’s trip to Washington and Massachusetts. During the trip, the teens will sing for the congregation of the Millis Church of Christ. Here, they rehearse with Teressa.

music and was well known in this area. My dad was a disk jockey at WRVK [a local radio station] for 25 years and had a program every Sunday. At first, his group sang, then he would have his kids—including me— come forward and sing. After a while, people started re questing the kids to come and sing at their church. Slowly, it got to where people were requesting us to sing more than our parents. They told us that they’d support us in anything we wanted to do.” The group, known as The Renners, travels and minis ters throughout the eastern United States. “My whole family is talented to some degree, but as far as our ministry is concerned, we have myself, then my twelveyear-old brother who plays drums, a brother who plays the piano, another brother who plays the guitar and sings, and another guy who sings. We travel and sing in churches nearly every weekend in the summertime.” Teressa graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, the first person in her family to go to college. “I almost got married when I was sixteen, but the guy didn’t want me to finish school and didn’t want me to go to college. That was the point where I had to decide what to do. And I decided ‘I’m not going to get married. I’m going to finish school and go to college and get a degree.’ I just wanted to accomplish that.” Despite her involvement with and dedication to music, Teressa’s degree is in business and marketing. She uses those skills both in the family ministiy and in Renner and Sons, Inc., her father’s stonemasonry business where she works as the office manager.

July - August 1991

“It’s been hard to change my perspective, because I’d much rather be a performer than a business person when it comes to the ministry. My heart is more into ministry than business. It’s been hard for me to approach the ministry from a business perspective, but I have to. I have to tell myself that it’s only positive.” Teressa says that a business-like approach gives credi bility, but “it’s hard. You do it because you love the people and you love the Lord and you want to serve Him through that.” She has learned that making the ministry more credible enables the group to continue its work and to meet its goals. For ten months Teressa worked in marketing for the gospel music program at Renfro Valley, near Mount Vernon, a job she described as “a dream come true.” She decided to return to her father’s business when it became evident to her that she could not give sufficient time to Renfro Valley and continue to be as involved in the family’s music ministry. Before and after her graduation from EKU, Teressa lived in Lexington, Kentucky, then after moving to Berea, to be closer to the family business, found herself with a lot of time on her hands. “I started trying to find ways to usefully use my time. Having teenage sisters and brothers in this area, and then moving to Lexington and seeing all the things that are available to other youth, I was disappointed that they didn’t have the same opportunities. “I thought it would be great to put together a group of 5

Ginny said that singing at the Millis Church of Christ during the trip is only one of many activities planned for the group of 20 and their chaperons. She had decided to ask the teens to sing some traditional Appalachian music from the area for the congregation, and was in the midst of making music selections, when Teressa called. “Everything worked out very happily,” Ginny said. “You can tell from looking at them, how well they respond to her soft touch. They listen to anything she says because she’s so nice.” Both Ginny and Teressa are pleasantly surprised at how well the teens have taken to gospel music, perhaps a testimony to Teressa’s winning personality. “At first I was scared. I thought they wouldn’t respond to gospel music because most kids are more interested in rock music. I was apprehensive, but I decided I’d just go in and be enthusiastic about it. I thought ‘I ’m just going to be as enthusiastic about gospel music as I am. Maybe that enthusiasm will rub off on them.’ Teressa rehearses with the teens at least once a week.

teenagers to have a devotion once a week where you’d have singing and praising and refreshments and a fun time. We could have speakers come in and make it a fun night for the kids. I mentioned the idea to a friend of mine, who told me to talk to Ginny Gilpatrick. “Ginny told me that there was a group doing that, and mentioned the trip, the kids going to Massachusetts.” A trip to Massachusetts was the brainchild of Rock castle Teen Center coordinator Ginny Gilpatrick. She has coordinated trips with other groups, and decided to travel with her teens to an area where she has lived. “I knew they could go and stay in homes and they’d be safe, and there would be good reception on the other end,” Ginny said. “Then we got to thinking about it, and knew that it’s a two day drive to get there, and two days to get back, so why not go by Washington and add a couple more days.” In addition to sightseeing, she has other activities planned for the Rockcastle teens.

“The music that w e’re singing is a more upbeat, con temporary style music, and I think that makes a big difference. One of our songs is called ‘Our God is an Awesome God.’ I like to think that song—and that feeling—plays in their heads, even when they’re not singing.” Teressa is a musician who feels her material, and has taken that approach with the group. All 20 voices blend in unison with great gusto, and even more important, with a real belief that our God is, indeed, an awesome God.

“She was wanting to work some music into the trip so they could sing at the churches,” Teressa said. “She asked me if I ’d teach the kids some gospel music, to combine my interest in teens and interest in music.” After rehearsing only a few weeks, Teressa and her group (“I ’ve been trying to get them to give themselves a name”) performed at the First Christian Church in Mount Vernon. “They did great! They all stood there and smiled and sang and were just great. I was tickled to death with them and the church just loved them. They took up some money for their trip to Massachusetts.” 6

Ginny Gilpatrick, coordinator of the Rockcastle Teen Center.

The Mountain Spirit

Teressa and Ginny hope that the teens’ involvement with gospel music will continue after their spring trip.

Ginny and Teressa would like to see the group continue singing together after they return from Massachusetts. “If we could spend a little bit more time together, they could leam parts, and actually put together a pretty neat little ensemble,” Teressa said. It’s obvious that the teens enjoy working with Teressa, and she says she senses that enjoyment, too. “They all seem to want to feel involved and be accepted and encouraged. They want to feel part of the group. The singing brings them together as a group and it’s neat to see that. I ’m seeing kids that had been sitting across the room from each other, standing together and singing together. It seems like it’s brought more fellowship between them. Before they had a common purpose; they were going on a trip, but they didn’t have to do anything together. They didn’t have to work together. It’s been neat for me to see them go from being individuals to being a group and working together and depending on each other. Singing does that.” Teressa regrets the lack of community involvement in the small town of Mount Vernon, but says that she didn’t realize the lack until she moved to Lexington and saw opportunities that were available to the youth in her church, Southland Christian. She has chaperoned groups, thinking that similar experiences during her own youth would have eased the pressures that teen agers have. “I grew up in a Christian family, which was great, but we didn’t have that many youth activities at church. July - August 1991

“I can see that there’s not a lot of community involve ment in making positive activities for kids. The teen center is a big help.” Her work with the youth at the teen center is an exten sion of her music ministry, Teressa says, even though the rest of her family is not involved with this aspect of her work. “It’s been a really good experience. I love teenagers and I love to see teenagers get involved. I’ve always been afraid that I couldn’t build a relationship with teenagers. I think it was a fear that wasn’t real, though. Once you get in there you realize that they aren’t these big bad wolves that everyone has made them out to be; inside they’re just like the rest of us, people who want to be cared for and to believe they’re a part of something. “They have a lot more pressures and things to deal with than we did when we were teenagers. I feel sorry for them because there’s so much out there to get them off the path to have a successful life. I think if you can keep them busy and keep their time filled with positive things that will keep them out of drugs and sexual re lationships, then there’s bound to be some good come from that. “I wanted to work with teenagers because when our ministry’s on the road, there are a lot of kids who come up and want to talk. A gentleman came to me one time and told me he was involved in drugs and wanted me to talk with him and help him. Not being exposed to 7

that myself, I wasn’t real sure how to help him I was afraid. I wanted to challenge myself and put myself in a situation where I deal with teenagers and see where they’re coming from so if I get into that situation in our ministry, I can handle it.” Teressa believes that she helped the young man. “He actually became a Christian. We prayed together and he gave his life to the Lord, and as far as I know, he’s living a Christian life now.” Over the years, Teressa and her brothers have seen their music move from something fun they started as kids to a full-blown ministry. “It’s not so much fun anymore, piling on a bus and being gone all weekend and living out of a bus instead of home. I became a Christian when I was eight, but even then I didn’t realize the commit ment. I started realizing it, maybe when I missed my prom,” Teressa said with a laugh. “It might have started changing when I started writing songs. You have to go inside yourself and start pulling things out. I guess gradually you evolve to a different mindset when you have to make a sacrifice. As a kid I didn’t make that many sacrifices. When you’re older you have to make choices. A choice of a job, for example. I had a great job at Renfro, and a great opportunity to grow with the company, but it had gotten to the point with our ministry that I couldn’t do both, my time was just too full. I actually got sick, and the doctor told me I had to slow down. That’s when I decided to give up that job.”

In addition to recreation activities, Ginny and other staff provide counseling to teens when it is needed.

With her degree, the ability to work at a job that combined gospel music and marketing was a life’s ambition for Teressa, but their producer put the family ministry in perspective when he told her that he be lieved their music was a great opportunity to minister. “That made us realize that God was wanting to use us, and may have a plan for that. So we’ve all decided to devote ourselves to seeing that happen and pray that it is in God’s will. And we feel that it is. We feel that it is because of some things that have happened and the way He continues to open doors.” The Renners like to give an audience a time to profess their faith during a concert, and Teressa says that she can see in people’s faces when she has communicated God’s word. Some audiences are more demonstrative than others, but “then of course, when a decision is made to give their heart to the Lord, that’s the most rewarding and you know you’ve made it home.” Although Teressa has not been working long at the Rockcastle Teen Center, it seems a natural extension of the ministry she has had since she was eight years old. She communicates the love of the Lord through her own gifts and now is using other gifts to help young people communicate that love, as well.

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Several girls spent a few minutes showing Teressa pictures from their prom after m usic rehearsal.

“Somebody said to me the other day that they thought it was nice that I would give some of my time to the teen center, and I told them how much it benefitted me, because it gives me perspective about what the kids face.” The Mountain Spirit

Letters The Mountain Spirit is the spirit that has made America great. It is an affirmation that God and man, faith and hope can build a better future. The Mountain Spirit soars! Andriana Thompson New Haven, CT

I eagerly look forward to receiving each issue of The Mountain Spirit and almost feel I ’m there physi cally—sharing all the joy and pain of those brave people, so much so they make me ashamed of my own com plaints. Continued prayers for Father Beiting’s complete recovery. God bless you all! Mrs. S.J. Wood Ridge, NY

Out of all the magazine subscrip tions I receive, yours is the most interesting and rewarding to read. The people you write about have such a determined spirit. One can admire their strength and purpose. Best wishes to all of you at CAP and continued success.

We really enjoy reading about all the wonderful things that CAP does. It is just amazing how this project has grown from what one man started. Imagine what the world would be like if each person did that much good. L.P. Townsend Lake Elsinore, CA

Debra Ziemba Dearborn Heights, MI

We learned to read and it was grand! But what we didn’t understand was many folks would never know this wondrous thing, if we’d not show our gratitude for this great gift—if we’d not share, and give a lift. A gift of love—and maybe cash so break out in a generous rash! I send my love (and something more). Please keep the faith. Don’t close the door! Katheryne Bradley Hutchinson, KS

When I read The Mountain Spirit I wish I was much younger so I could volunteer there at CAP. In a way it’s not my age that would keep me from coming but my arthritis. The May-June issue of The Moun tain Spirit was so good. I’ve always loved Appalachia and the mountain people. I cry when I read about the poverty and problems but I’m so proud of all the staff, volunteers and the mountain people who survive in spite of horrendous problems.

I enjoy the magazine very much and know that the people of Appalachia that you serve are very grateful. The stories in The Mountain Spirit are heartwarming. When it is possible I send a contribution and know that it is being spent for a good purpose. Keep up the good work.

My wife and I really enjoy The Mountain Spirit. It’s nice to see folks helping other folks help themselves. To us that’s what it’s all about.

I loved the article about the Rainbow Respite Center. I am enclosing a check to help a young mother to go to Prestonsburg Community College. I wish it could be a more generous amount. In love.

Mrs. Jay Davis Westville, IL

Edward & Betty Mayer S. Liberty, Maine

Nancy Clum Trenton, NJ

I enjoy reading The Mountain Spirit. because it takes me back home. I was bom in Kentucky. I spent the early years of my life in Garrett, Ken tucky. I am now retired, but I still remember the tough times growing up in the mountains. So I like to help out when I can.

I truly enjoy The Mountain Spirit. It makes one feel closer to the people of Appalachia as we see the pictures and read the articles concerning the needs of these dear people—espe cially those who are striving to create a better life for themselves and their children.

Bennett Isabell Philadelphia, PA

Mrs. C.C. Griffin Liberal, KS

July-August 1991

Letters to the editor are wel come. They should not exceed 150 words in length, and we reserve the right to edit them for space. Address letters to The Mountain Spirit, Christian Ap palachian Project, 322 Crab Or chard Road, Lancaster, Ken tucky 40446.

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Born and Raised to Help by Katie Newsome Brenda BoCook, of Floyd County, helps to clean CAP administra tive offices to repay help she has received.

D iscu ssio n of Christian Appalachian Project volun teers always seems to center upon two kinds of volun teers: “permanent,” people who make a one-year or longer commitment to CAP and the Appalachian people; or “temporary,” those who come for a shorter period of time. Much work is done, however, by another group of volunteers. These folks don’t come to CAP from far away places and often the work they do doesn’t seem very fun or glamorous. They contribute much to the life blood of the CAP, though, for two reasons. First, many are people who receive services from CAP. They are enrolled in CAP education programs, partici pate in the garden seed or Christmas basket program and occasionally might need help from the emergency assistance workers. Secondly, these people don’t just receive. They contribute to CAP by helping with any number of tasks that need to be accomplished in order to keep programs vital and functioning. It ’s not uncommon to see people from the counties CAP serves pitching in to help distribute Christmas baskets, package seed, even affix mailing labels to The Moun tain Spirit! Floyd County workers have an array of stories that surround the activities of helpers at CAP operations, like the one about the lady who lost her wedding ring while she was packaging squash seed for the garden distributions. When she related her mishap to the other volunteers and employees, everyone was willing to go through 500 packets of squash seed to find her ring. 10

“Oh, no!” she said. “It was just a dime store ring. I’ll get me another one some day.” A lady who had stayed at a CAP spouse abuse shelter donated her time and skill to paint a beautiful wall mural of the Milky Way galaxy and solar system at the Martin Youth Center. When the kids or visitors at the center commented on her work she said, “I love to do it! I’d much rather be busy doing something than just sitting around.” ****** For the past four years Nerva Osborne, the mother of two school-age children, has received seed from CAP’s gardening program. She loves to come in and help out. “I don’tmind working, I’ve had to workhard all my life. Helping CAP is a welcome break from my routine house and yard work. It gets my mind off of personal and family problems. Besides, I know that the w orkl’m doing is helping someone else that might be in worse shape than I am.” During the week before Christmas basket distribution last December, Nerva’s and other volunteers’ help was invaluable, as they helped unload truckloads of dona tions sent by Father Giles Hayes and students from Delbarton High School in New Jersey. Several bicycles were among the goods she unpacked, and during casual conversation Nerva told of her daughter Jessica, age seven, whose biggest wish was for a bicycle at Christ mas. Yes, Jessica did receive one of those bicycles— The Mountain Spirit

granted, it wasn’t new, but according to Nerva, it is a golden chariot and Jessica rides it every day! “She doesn’t even come into the house when she gets home from school! She throws her books down and away she goes down the holler on that bicycle,” Nerva said, shaking her head in wonder. Nerva’s husband, William, holds a full time job, but as is the case with so many in Eastern Kentucky, his employment depends heavily on the coal mining indus try which is at the same sluggish pace that it has experienced since the mid-eighties. Layoffs are com mon for William. He provides for his family, but hard times hit every once in a while. Still he has everything he needs—a loving, supportive family, which CAP is proud to be a part of. Until recently Nerva did her family’s laundry by hand. She called on CAP for help getting a wringer-type washing machine. (She couldn’t use an automatic washer because the well dug near her house is dry.) A used Maytag wringer washing machine now sits in Nerva’s home. She spends what had been laundry time working in her garden, helping the children with their school work, going fishing with the family (her favorite pastime) and pitching in to help with CAP projects. “CAP has helped a lot and been good to me and my family. I feel it’s only right to help them out, besides I have a good time when I go down to work—everyone is always nice and friendly and we laugh a lot, but we still get the job done.”

Nerva’s sentiments of “neighbor helping neighbor” and “each of us helping one another” is echoed by all the other local volunteers that have passed through CAP’s doors. • k ' k ' k ' k ’k ' k

When Walter Mullins, a 28-year-old ex-serviceman, came to CAP he was really down on his luck. He had lost his job as a mechanic, had been evicted from his home in Pike County and become a father for the fourth time—all in one week! CAP helped get him and his family into low-income government housing. While CAP was helping the Mullins family through the crisis, it received truckloads of donated computer and office furnishings, and other items, from AT & T. Walter was there to help move office furniture and unload toys and bags of clothing. His face became well known around the CAP warehouse. “Hey, I don’t mind helping at all. I don’t know what we would have done if CAP hadn’t helped us when we needed it,” Walter said. Of course, hard times don’t usually just come and go, and that’s certainly true with Walter. While he’s able and very willing to work, there seems to be few jobs around for him. The ones available involve driving and he has difficulty keeping his old jalopy on the road, but he does because he has to—the children must go to the doctor and baby number five will be arriving in July, 1991. When he stops by the administrative office in Martin, Walter is never surprised any more if an office staffer Gilbertson

Elzie and Pam Isaacs, of Garrard County, help with Christmas basket and garden seed distribution every year. They are some of C A P’S most faith local volunteers. They have participated in camping and education programs, too.

July - August 1991

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needing help pokes a head around the comer to say, “Can you give us a hand?” Away Walter goes to help where he’s needed. • k 'k 'k 'k 'k 'k

“Do you need help with anything down there?” comes the call from Mary Jo Powers of Abbott Creek in Floyd County. For the past four years Mary Jo and her family have received their garden seeds through the CAP small farms and gardening program. She was the per son who referred her friend Nerva Osborne to CAP also. “I don’t mind at all coming down to help out. Hove to get away from the house. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my home and family, but I think everybody needs to get out every once in a while,” Mary Jo said with her soft, gentle smile. Long-time friends and former neighbors, Mary Jo and Nerva Osborne now live in different parts of the county, but keep in touch by phone. They have the same caseworker at CAP, so they keep each other informed when they might be needed at CAP to help out. Both worked a solid week during distribution of Christmas baskets—they stocked canned food, moved what seemed like thousands of boxes, cleaned up, and

Despite a job and a family of four (soon to be five), Walter Mullins finds time to help with CAP programs throughout the year.

wrapped Christmas gifts for hundreds of families in a three-county area. They ended their work week by getting soaked to the bone during a downpour of rain as they helped carry Christmas baskets to recipi ents’ cars. Their spirits were high and their energy level at its peak, but by the end of the day, they— along with their fellow workers— were ready for some hard-earned rest. CAP’s friendship with the Powers family continues this year as their three children will attend Camp Shawnee for the first time. The kids can hardly contain their ex citement—they have never been to camp before. A new adventure awaits them. As the children go off to camp, CAP workers will hear “Call me if you need me” from Mary Jo—always her part ing words. ******

Charlene Reynolds of Rockcastle County helps with several CAP programs. She wraps Christmas present, packs garden seed and tutors other GED students.

Hearing of CAP’s work through a friend, Brenda BoCook called when she returned to Kentucky after a long stretch outside the area. “This is home! I was bom and raised around here. I ’m just glad

The Mountain Spirit

there are people willing to help me get back on my feet again,” Brenda told her caseworker. Brenda’s husband found work at the local school board in the maintenance department, but still, it has taken them a while to get straightened out. Brenda was able to find odd jobs cleaning houses and baby-sitting to supplement their income, but after several setbacks, she realized that she needed to finish her education “to compete for the few good jobs that are out there,” she reasoned. Education is stressed heavily in all of CAP’S contact with their many friends throughout the Appalachian region, so when 3 8-y ear-old Brenda asked for money to submit her application for a Pell Grant at the local community college, CAP was eager to help. Just as keen to return the favor, Brenda wanted to give back. She couldn’t spare the money, so she arrived bright and early to clean the offices of several CAP programs. With her unique gift of gab, a ready smile and her getit-done attitude, she was an instant hit with all the CAP employees and visitors to the office. Within a few hours Brenda had the windows sparkling, and floors and offices scrubbed and dusted. This is no small task, considering that most of CAP’s Floyd County operations do not have a budget that allows for hiring a maintenance person—all the clean up work is done by the program workers as they find time, or by

local volunteers wanting to express their appreciation for help given them by CAP. When Brenda and others donate their time, it is a tremendous boon to the workers who may then con tinue their outreach ministries, helping other people who are in need of assistance. ****** Give and ye shall receive: So runs the thread of so many situations that CAP encounters during a one-day span. The people that have helped CAP have given what they could and they have given their best. While they didn’t have money to repay, they have given the most precious of gifts—themselves, their time (which can never be made up) and they have given their friendship. This is a special tribute to all those volunteers who help keep everything moving, and also to those folks who cannot physically work, but help out in their own way: the elderly who give a kind word; the disabled who give a warm welcome to their home to a visiting CAP em ployee; the children who give their laughter and excite ment at camp. There are many blessings to be counted, and volunteers are at the top of the list of blessings for the Christian Appalachian Project.

Newsome

Without the help of Mary Jo Powers and people like her, much of CAP’S work would go undone, or people would have to wait much longer for services. With CAPs help in applying for a grant, Mary Jo is now attending college to better provide for her children.

July - August 1991

The CAP Closeup

Laughing and Crying: Donna Turner

« rp The best part of my job is seeing happy faces when we go visit. They’re so happy to see everybody, they want to do little things for you. They show you that they’re so happy that you care about them. I cry a lot; I laugh a lot, too,” said Donna Turner of her work with the elderly in the Christian Appalachian Project out reach program in Floyd County. Donna started working in CAP’s elderly and outreach programs in 1985. She did “a little of everything then. There were only six or eight employees, the rest were volunteers.” Even today, Donna wears many hats. “I manage the elderly program, the Attics, and I have the sponsored families and Bible school.” Donna, mother of two and grandmother of three, was bom and reared in Floyd County. She spent 16 years in the military, living in Texas, New Mexico and Europe (“I spent three years in France—it was very exciting.”) and returned to Floyd County after her husband died. “I came home and met another wonderful man from Floyd County. W e’ve been married almost twenty years—I ’ll be telling my age in a minute!”

by the CAP News Service Photos by Margaret Gabriel

Before CAP, Donna worked for the school board as supervisor of the school lunchrooms. She heard about CAP through her daughter-in-law, a parishioner of Father Ralph Beiting, CAP’s founder. “He told it in church that if they needed a job or knew of anybody

In addition to her work with people who participate in her programs, Donna enjoys working with other office workers. Here, she and Kathy Dudleson confer on an office computer project.

The Mountain Spirit

who needed a job to come up and apply. After work one Monday afternoon I came up here and put my applica tion in. The next day they called me to come by for an interview. Father Beiting asked me if I ’d supervised people, and I told him I had and he asked me when I could start.” Donna wasn’t unhappy working for the school board, but “This sounded interesting, and I thought that most anybody could have done the job I was doing. Social work is more interesting than supervising a cafeteria.” Donna was surprised to leam of the amount of need in Floyd County when she started working for CAP. “We don’t really look, I guess. You kind of know it’s there, but you don’t accept it. You just overlook it. But if you’re out there looking for it and you know you’re going to help people, you can find it.” She tells people that might overlook or close their eyes to problems, “It’s true. It’s here whether you like it or not. They don’t see it because they don’t want to see it. If it hurts, it hurts; and it does hurt. But you can’t hide it. I ’ve seen more of it since I ’ve worked with CAP and I know there’s even more.” Donna’s roots are in the area and her work with CAP gives her a unique ability to assess problems and offer solutions to helping people of Appalachia to avail themselves of opportunities that are abundant to people in the rest of the country. “It has to start with education; it has to start when a child is young. It has to be taught all the way up, and they have to be taught that there is help. If they want to go to college, they can. There’s no excuse for somebody not going on and getting an education. We have welfare recipients, two and three generations. The only way out of that is education.

Donna Turner.

“Then after I came to work here I was recruiting for camp, and I asked an elderly lady about her grandson coming to camp. She said, ‘Well, you’re not Catholic.’ I told her, no, you don’t have to be Catholic to work for CAP. It’s a Christian organization. The word ‘Chris tian’ is in there, not Catholic. And she said, ‘You mean you work for that old gray-headed man that preaches on the street comers?’

The dedication of workers like Donna has been an asset as CAP worked to become accepted in Floyd County since beginning programs in 1981. That year Father Be iting was assigned as pastor of St. Juliana Catholic Church in Martin.

“And that made me so mad! I said, ‘If you’re referring to Father Beiting, yes, I do.’ I’d just been to Renfro Valley and seen all those wonderful things that he’d started down there and I tried to tell her. I said, ‘You’ll never see, or probably never hear of all these terrific, wonderful things he’s brought about for other people. In fact, I haven’t seen it all. But I’ve seen enough of it. ’ And I think she could see that she was getting my dander up a little bit—but I don’t want anybody talking about Father Beiting! I said, ‘Do you remember when our ancestors came over here on those itty bitty boats?’ I said ‘They came over here so you could be what you want to be and I could be what I want to be and he can be what he wants to be.’ She didn’t say anything, then she said, ‘Well, you can sign him up to go to camp.’”

“W e’re not predominantly Catholic, but my daughterin-law is Catholic, and that’s wonderful, as far as I ’m concerned. Before I came to work, I could see what Father Beiting was doing and I ’d talk to people and they’d say, ‘You’re not Catholic.’ What difference does that make? I can respect anybody I want to when I see something good.

Although the CAP programs in Floyd County started with the inspiration of Father Beiting, folks like Donna, who are willing to work and recruit and, if necessary, stand up for Father Beiting and CAP’s principles, have made the programs successful. Through Donna, and with her help, the people of Floyd County are able to work toward opportunities they need.

“We can help and give support to a certain extent but they’re going to have to do it themselves. The ones who want to do it will. And the ones that don’t, well. . . . ”

July - August 1991

Freely Given Volunteer Heidi Tippett prepares for a tutoring session.

Story and photos by Shari Pesce

J esus says, “Freely you have received. Freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) It is in this spirit of giving that each and eveiy volunteer commits to a life of community, prayer and service. One would think that this commitment of service would be fulfilled by the work that a volunteer gives to his or her regular program, but several CAP volunteers also donate additional leisure time. In the Martin volunteer community in Floyd County, three volunteers are committed to serving the Appala chian people by bringing education to an underedu cated region. By sharing their knowledge they enable others to grow and learn. Luann Winters works in the adult education program, teaching math, reading and writing skills to adults and teens. Often, though, Luann’s days extend far beyond eight hours, and in addition to adults and teens, she tutors children who need extra help with school work. “Visiting and tutoring in people’s homes, I get to see the side of a student you don’t normally see in a classroom. I see the home environment, the problems parents have and how it affects not only their learning, but also their children’s learning.” Luann, like many tutors, becomes personally involved in the lives of her students. “I help the students set 16

priorities so they can see how education fits into their lives.” Adult students need to make education a prior ity; for example, Luann encourages students to set aside a study time each evening. When they do, study ing becomes part of a routine and students can experi ence success. Those who once had no purpose or saw the future as dim and bleak now share their lives with Luann. She sees needs that average social workers don’t see and she acts on those needs. Recently, several of Luann’s students became pregnant. Now she’s in volved in a pregnancy class so that she can help those women in need. Luann’s volunteer spirit shines through as she teaches her students. Her teaching, however, does not end with reading and math. In the last eight months, she’s helped students prepare for the ACT exam and has worked with some of her students’ chil dren. Her tireless efforts are selfsatisfying. Luann feels good about her work in Kentucky, knowing she’s making a differ ence. She said, “School has always been easy for me; I had older siblings who taught me. When I came here, I met people who didn’t have the same edu cational opportunities that I had. I’ve been blessed by having grown up in a good learning environment. Now, by tutoring adults, I’m able to share that experience.” Luann leams from her students, too. Stella, a student who passed the GED test, teaches Luann about painting and the uses of

The Mountain Spirit

herbs native to Eastern Kentucky. “In many ways I’m learning as much as the students are,” she said. John and Heidi Tippett came to Appalachia to make a difference. In addition to their daily volunteer work, they find that involvement with education helps them to make that difference. John, who works in the community health advocates program, wanted to help people bring about the changes in themselves they desire. His decision to become a literacy tutor opened the door to his goal. John shares his reading skills with a student and together they explore new ideas. Heidi, a volunteer in the Garrett Attic and the emergency assistance program, began her tutoring in Peru, where she taught English as a second language to adults and children. There, as in Kentucky, she saw that illiteracy leads to other problems. Adults who can’t read often lack self esteem. Feeling down on themselves because of past negative experiences in school, their inability to leam has been reinforced over and over. They take jobs they don’t like, thinking they don’t have the qualifications or intelligence to do anything but manual labor. They underestimate their own abilities and feel they have limited choices in life. Though this is the norm among illiterate adults, there are exceptions. John’s student, Steven, wants to leam to read so that he can help his children with their school work. Arnold, Heidi’s student, recently became a

July - August 1991

Christian and now wants to read the Bible. Both stu dents are highly motivated to leam. This excites their tutors. “It’s great to have the chance to make a differ ence in someone’s life. Teaching reading is a fulfilling experience for me,” said John. Heidi describes the work as challenging. “A high level of energy is needed to prepare the lessons and tutor after working all day in our programs.” “I find it difficult to be original with my lessons twice a week,” adds John. Both John and Heidi spend count less hours preparing lessons, trying to make learning interesting and enjoyable for their students. Heidi says she doesn’t mind the work involved. “Seeing the light bulb go off in her student’s mind is worth the work.” In addition to tutoring, John and Heidi teach a human health and reproduction class at the Martin Youth Center. Heidi also teaches an aerobics class twice a week. Both she and John enjoy the personal interaction teaching allows. “The experience is uniquely reward ing,” she said. All three of these volunteers, and others like them, give of themselves daily. They freely return what has been given to them, as they add a new dimension to CAP’s volunteer program. Volunteers are asked to donate a number of hours to service projects over and above their regular volunteer jobs. These volunteers have found that to assist people in achieving education goals is an excellent way to help people help themselves.

Around the Project________ by the CAP News Service Parents-Are-Teachers Mainstreams Student “We don’t usually mainstream so young, but this has been a very happy occasion,” said Kathleen Leavell, a teacher with Parents-Are-Teachers, the Christian Appalachian Project homebound program for handi capped pre-schoolers. Nicholas Cornelius has Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic cranial facial disorder. The malformation of the bones in Nicholas’ face requires him to use a bi-lateral hearing aid and to breath with the help of a tracheot omy tube. Although the syndrome has caused speech and language delays in Nicholas’ development, Kathleen said that his cognitive development is “fine. I ’ve worked with him on puzzles, and I can tell that his problem-solving skills are right on target.” During the coming school year threeyear-old Nicholas will attend the Sunshine Center. He attended the center on Friday afternoons during the spring of 1991 as children and teachers prepared to welcome Nicho las to their program. The teachers learned sign language, how to deal with an emergency involving Nicho las’ trach and generally about Treacher Collins Syndrome. To prepare the three- and four-yearolds for their new classmate, Kath leen began going in every couple of weeks to tell the children about Nicholas and to teach some rudi mentary sign language, so the chil dren could communicate with Nicho las. She equipped a doll, that she named Joey, with a trach and a hear ing aid so the children could relate to Nicholas when he started to school. “The most significant thing about this preparation is that by the end of the school year, if you asked the kids to tell you two things about Nicholas, 18

Sunshine Center where Nicholas will start to school in the fall of 1991.

they would tell you that he likes to play ball and he likes to read. They might mention that he breathes and hears in a different way, but they weren’t put off by him at all,” Kath leen said. Nicholas will attend the center full time during the coming school year, which Kathleen says will enable him to progress normally and to enter a regular public school program when he is school-aged.

Can You Help? Christian Appalachian Project sup porters often ask what more they can do to eliminate suffering in Ap palachia. First, you can tell others of the problems in Appalachia which you leam about in The Mountain Spirit and other CAP publications. Please share this magazine with a friend and we’ll send a replacement. Ask us about any of the problems in Appalachia and we’ll be happy to share any knowledge we have or to refer you to another organization that can help you. Secondly, you can give us a most valuable commodity—time. Since 1950, millions of hours have been

donated to helping the people of Appalachia help themselves and their families out of poverty. If you would like to volunteer three weeks or more to working in Appalachia, please contact The Mountain Spirit, so that information can be given to the vol unteer department. Finally, our most powerful form of assistance is prayer. We believe that if our supporters spend at least one minute a day praying for poor people everywhere, mountains can be moved, the course of rivers changed. The CAP family forms a powerful prayer network reaching into Ap palachia and across the nation.

Father Beiting Moves to New Counties Recently Christian Appalachian Project workers learned that CAP’s founder, Father Ralph Beiting, was transferred by Bishop J. Kendrick W illiam s from his parish in Paintsville, Kentucky, to establish mission parishes in Louisa and Hode, in Lawrence County on the West Virginia border. CAP wishes Father Beiting God’s richest blessings in his newest work. The Mountain Spirit

around the project. . . continued

Dental Van Visits Sunshine Center Readers of The Mountain Spirit may recall that the Christian Appalachian Project recently made a grant to the University of Kentucky that was used to equip a dental van. Dental stu dents, under the instruction of Dr. John Mink, travel to parts of rural Kentucky and instruct children in good dental hygiene and screen them for dental problems.

child had a dental screening. Observing on the left is center manager Brenda Mullins.

dental health. “The kids were famil iar with the dentist, the hygienist and toothbrushes and toothpaste before the van came,” Becky said.

The Sunshine Center, CAP’s child development center in Garrard County, had a visit from Dr. Mink and his students in the spring.

One of the dental students reviewed brushing techniques with an over sized toothbrush and a set of teeth, and discussed good and bad food choices with the children.

Becky Kana, head teacher at the Sunshine Center, began the prepara tions for the dental van when she planned and taught a week’s unit on

“Then the kids went into the van, saw a Snoopy movie about tooth brush ing, and had their teeth checked. We brush our teeth at school every day, but it was good reinforcement to have someone else say that it’s important to brush your teeth,” Becky said. “And they thought the van was pretty neat, too.”

YOU’R E INVITED . . . gifts to CAP by o r before N ovem ber 15, 1991, to ensure th at we receive them durin g the first week in Decem ber.

to help bring a smile to a needy child’s face at Christmas. In 1990 one family wrote, “. . . my children said to tell you they don’t know you, but they feel love for what you did for them this yea r. . . ” -Steve, Barbara, Mike, Stephanie, Rodney

Soon after you contact us, we will send detailed instructions, inform ation about your family, and som e gift suggestions. Please re tu rn the coupon in the re tu rn envelope or include the inform ation on an o th er sheet.

If you w ould like to take part: —let us know the size family you would like to sponsor. Gifts for each child should cost betw een $20 an d $30. We ask this price range to keep the baskets as equal as possible for all children; —we ask sponsors to wrap an d label gifts with the nam e o f each person; —please mail your boxes o f

July - August 1991

r--------------------

| I would like to sponsor a ____ small (1-2 c h ild re n ),____ m edium (3-4 | children),___ large (5-7 c h ild re n ),-------extra large (8 o r m ore) family. | Please send inform ation. I I am n o t able to shop for a needy A ppalachian family, b u t I have in clu d ed ______ that will help you provide gifts and food for the CAP ' Christm as Basket families.

N am e __________ _______________________________ _______________

| Address -----------------—-------------------------------------------------------------| City, State, Z IP ________________________________ ________________ MAIL TO: CAP Christm as Baskets, 322 C rab O rchard Road, Lancaster, Kentucky 40446

around the project.. . continued

Dwayne and Vi Voder Work as Volunteers “We got a book in the mail from CAP,” said Dwayne Yoder, speak ing of Bridge o f Hope, the second book Father Beiting wrote about his experiences in Appalachia. “After I’d read it Vi asked me, ‘W hat’s that book?’ I told her to read it and find out. She asked me what I thought about it, and I told her I ’d like to try it.” Dwayne and Vi were planning a trip to California to visit their daughter and grandchildren, but after reading Bridge of Hope, they decided to work with CAP as volunteers for two months. Dwayne, a retired insurance agency manager, worked in mainte nance and home repair. Vi retired from working in Dwayne’s insur ance office, in a hospital office and

Moving? Please notify us of any change of address to make sure you receive every issue of The Mountain Spirit. O LD ADDRESS n am e

please p rin t

address

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address

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Mail to: The Mountain Spirit, 322 Crab Orchard Road Lancaster, KY 40446.

As a result of their time as CAP volunteers, Vi and Dwayne plan to spread the word about CA P’S work and hope to do more volunteer work in the future.

helping an elderly lady for four years. She spent her time with CAP at the Berea Attic and the Emmaus Chris tian Life Center. Dwayne and Vi were anxious to keep busy after retiring in January of 1990. “I was looking forward to doing some odd jobs and working on my relief carving,” Dwayne said. “But, after three weeks of solid fishing and carv ing I was ready for something else. We spent last winter in Florida, but found that it really wasn’t our cup of tea. We thought it was a waste of time, as long as we were physically able—and I’ve worked harder here than if I’d been at home!” During their time with CAP, Dwayne and Vi were able to spend a couple of days visiting elderly people in Rock castle County with Nancy Uschold, another volunteer. “W e’ve really enjoyed the area,” Vi said, comment ing on the friendliness of the people. “And we’ve really enjoyed CAP. I’ve never known so many nice Christian young kids,” she said about CAP’S volunteers. After attending a family reunion in California, Dwayne and Vi returned to their home in Newton, Iowa, where

they shared their volunteer experi ences with others in their commu nity, including their church congre gation, the First Baptist Church in Newton. “Our Sunday school class has made a donation to CAP, and we’re going to speak to the other classes in other churches,” Dwayne said. Vi said that their time at CAP has made them aware of the needs of others. “It makes you think about things you work a lifetime to accu mulate, and you realize they don’t mean much,” Dwayne added. “You can be happy without those things. These people here are. You have a tendency to forget need when stuck in an affluent world.”

Congratulations! CAP congratulates the staff of The Mountain Spirit, recognized for the fourth straight year for General Excellence among Mission Maga zines by the Catholic Press Associa tion. Father Beiting’s column in the November-December 1990 issue received a second place award for Best Column. The Mountain Spirit

around the project. . . continued

Family Life Center Honors Graduates “Wind Beneath My Wings” was the theme for the Christian Appalachian Project graduation ceremony that honored 99 people who passed the General Equivalency Diploma exam and received a high school diploma. Graduates ranged in age from 19 to 50, and had been studying for the test from several months to several years. For the first time in 1991, two gradu ates were awarded CAP community service scholarships. The scholar ship program recognizes students who are active in their communities and encourages them to pursue higher education by contributing $1000 to the cost of tuition or fees. Standing room only accommodated the graduates’ families and wellwishers in the Family Life Recre ation Center in Rockcastle County. They were joined by Ted Edmonds of the Kentucky Department of Edu cation, Buford Parkerson of the Rockcastle County Board of Educa tion and Jane Stephenson, project director of the New Opportunity School for Women which is affili ated with Berea College.

During her keynote address Ms. Stephenson related the story of the cow who jumped over the moon, telling the graduates that the moon was in their grasp, that they can do anything they want to do.

G ift A nnu ities

Two of the graduates have partici pated in the New Opportunity School for Women, a program Ms. Stephen son designed to give women in nine Appalachian states academic and cultural experience they need to discover their abilities when they are making transitions in their lives. Graduates from Rockcastle, Lincoln, Garrard and Madison counties now have the opportunities to pursue higher education or increased job opportunities as a result of their achievement of a GED. For some graduates, though, the degree is a goal in itself and not a means to an end. Some older graduates work hard to receive a GED just for the plea sure of having the degree after years of working in farming or mining or raising a family. Barbara Roberts, who works in the FLC School, said that the ceremony was “beautiful, the best ever. We say that every year, but the ceremonies do get better every time.”

A gift annuity to the C hristian A ppalachian Project will help us continue to provide employ m ent opportunities to Appala chian people. This activity is an essential p art o f o u r mis sion to help people help them selves. But, w hat is a gift annuity? It’s a legal agreem ent by which you m ake a gift to CAP and re ceive a g u aran teed life incom e in return. For a m ore com plete expla nation, write today for your free copy o f “Giving T hrough Gift A nnuities” by filling o u t the coupon below and enclos ing it in the envelope provided. Clip and send N am e______ A d d re ss____ C ity ________ State, Z IP __ Date o f B irth

Shortly after the May-June issue of The Mountain Spirit went to press, it was learned that Cody Ledger, featured in the story about the Rainbow Respite Care Center, had passed away. We ask for prayers for Cody and especially for his mother, Alfreda, during this difficult time.

July - August 1991

T elephone _

To Make the World

Many people who live in the mountains make a good living and are surviving quite well. The owners of the coal mines, the lumber yards and the chains of stores throughout the region proudly display their wealth with huge ski resort-type mansions sprinkled from mountain top to mountain top. From the highway, a passerby admiring the beauty of these estates may not realize that this region has the one of the lowest per capita incomes and highest unemployment rates in the nation. If trav elers were to follow a gravel road past one of these large manors, though, they would be shocked by the houses, barely standing, that are shadowed by the estates and contain within their crumbling walls a much larger part of the Appalachian community.

a Better Place

by Megan Swiderski 22

Above, Noire Dame students helped pack hundreds of packages of seed for CAP’S seed distribution program. Right, students help construct a porch and add siding to the home of a Floyd County resident.

The Mountain Spirit

What can be done to help these people? Many organi zations within the Appalachian community, including the Christian Appalachian Project, strive to help the farmers, miners and workers in the area. CAP’S assis tance comes from many people: people who donate money and prayers, employees (over 300), permanent volunteers (nearly 50 this year) and temporary volun teers. CAP’s temporary volunteer corps adds vitality and a breath of fresh air, as they arrive by the hundreds every year to accomplish tasks that the permanent staff does not have time for. The temporary volunteer program provides an opportunity for students and others who cannot make a long-term commitment to CAP’s work to come to Appalachia, help the people and experience their different but beautiful culture. At the University of Notre Dame, through CAP and the university’s Center for Social Concerns, students have the opportunity to work in Appalachia for a week in the fall, during their spring break, or during the week immediately following the closing of school. This gives Notre Dame students, many of whom think of Kentucky and Appalachia as faraway places with only horses, the Kentucky Derby, tobacco and coal miners,

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Sometimes the most helpful chore, keeping the little ones away from the home repair crew, is also the most enjoyable.

the chance to experience the mountains and to leam more about a very special part of the United States. Although Notre Dame students have been involved with CAP for more than 10 years, the Center for Social Concerns began its work seven years ago and shortly became the hub of all service activity at the university. The center sends students to organizations in Ap palachia other than CAP, including SWAP (Sharing With the Appalachian People), Marshall University in West Virginia where pre-med students work in rural health clinics, the Glenmary program and several smaller, grassroots groups of people who have organ ized in order to improve their communities. The center will send students anywhere in Appalachia that needs their help. The center began its service when a group of students approached Father Theodore Hesburgh, president of Notre Dame at that time, and suggested the university create a place to coordinate students’ involvement in service. The center is funded by the university and with student money (for example, there is a fee to go to Appalachia). In addition to the Appalachian project, the center is involved in many other types of service. The students have a constant connection with all of the service in South Bend, and are ready to help and be involved whenever their services are desired. There is

July - August 1991

information about many post-graduate projects, such as the Peace Corps and the Holy Cross Association, available through the center for the students. During the school year and over the summer, students can take part in the “urban plunge,” a project similar to the Appala chian project except the students travel to urban Amer ica and work with the homeless in soup kitchens and in homes for abused children. The urban project includes work in the inner city of South Bend where students work in house construction with the project “Christmas in April.” The center offers counseling services to students, as well as courses on racism, women, war and peace, and social justice issues. Social justice groups such as Amnesty International are part of the center. Students say that one of the greatest benefits is the center’s sponsorship of guest speakers such as Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. CAP’S relationship with Notre Dame has prospered over 10 years. Mike Affleck coordinates the center’s volunteer program and has continued the affiliation with CAP because of the response of students who have worked in its programs. “We have the students evaluate their experience when they come back. Part of the evaluation is the dimension of the organization they

worked with. CAP is regarded as one of the most exciting programs. CAP is extremely sensitive to the needs of the local people, as well as the volunteers.” Another benefit of the Notre Dame students’ involve ment with CAP is the opportunity CAP offers for a year-long commitment as a permanent volunteer after college graduation. Mike reasons, “The students can do something with their lives when they leave school other than get a job—they can volunteer.” The greatest aspect of the relationship between CAP and the Center for Social Concerns is their combined efforts to introduce the students to the true meaning of volunteering—prayer, community and service. In fact, the center was started through Notre Dame’s theology department. What better place to leam about prayer? Both CAP and Mike agree, “The world will not re semble the kingdom of God unless we take care of each other, and this is through prayer, community and serv ice.” The 14 Notre Dame students who ventured to the Christian Appalachian Project during spring break in 1991 were a bit wary about the trip before their depar ture. Dustin Klinger, a junior at Notre Dame, “had res ervations. I was afraid the people would see us as a bunch of middle class rich kids coming to save the world.” The attitude of CAP’s permanent vol unteers and the Appalachian people turned out to be quite the contrary. After the trip Dustin felt he “experienced much more re lief and relaxation out of going to Appalachia than anyone who went to Florida.” Michele Mustillo, another junior at Notre Dame, also had reserva tions before the trip. “I didn’t know what to expect, I was afraid it would be a waste of time.” Her fears were also unfounded. Mich ele left Appalachia “feeling as if my group had helped. Yes, we had not put a dent in what needed to be done, but every bit helps!”

several siuaenis traveled io Magonin bounty every day, to tutor youngsters with their school work, and to help adults study for the General Equivalency Diploma test.

Most students really did not know much about Appalachia, its his tory, and its culture before they made the six-hour trek from South Bend, Indiana. However, the stu dents were not left totally in the dark. Mike Affleck held organ izational meetings a few weeks

The Mountain Spirit

Weather-proofing homes with poor insulation kept several crews ot students Dusy during tneir time in noyu ooumy.

manent volunteers pack and deliver seed. Michelle felt “I really DID something,” as she helped with this project, part of helping people help themselves.

Mike believes that the most important aspect of the meetings was “to form a community. The students have no hope of trying to change things in Appalachia if they can’t get along themselves. They have to work, cook, play and pray together.” Mike and his staff attempted to make the students aware of the issue of absentee land ownership. “The students have to realize that Kentucky has many natural resources, but those who benefit from the wealth of these resources are not those that live on the land. Appalachia is a combination of injustice and beauty.” After this small orientation, the uncertain but excited students made their way to Appalachia.

The largest portion of the students’ time was spent in home repair and construction. Many of the students Mustillo

before the trip. He showed films “in an attempt to orient the students to the social, cultural, and economic dy namics of the region and to orient them to CAP.”

During their stay, the students discovered just as much about the Appalachian region as the people of the region and the CAP volunteers discovered about the students. Their schedule was organized and demanded hard work, but it was not so rigorous that the students were unable to explore and enjoy their time in the mountains. First, they had the opportunity to interact with the elderly. Dustin and other students drove “way up into the hollers to deliver prescriptions to the senior citizens. Many times we ended up staying for over an hour just chewin’ the fat.” CAP’S garden seed distribution program was in full swing during the students’ stay, so they helped the per

Several students worked with the women’s support group that meets at the Martin Youth Center. They tended babies and helped with various projects.

25 July - August 1991

benefits from the Appalachian excursions. But how do the people of Appalachia feel? Do they reap the same benefits or come away with anything at all? Pattie Thombury, who lived in the Appalachian community of Grundy, Virginia, relates her perception of the town’s reaction when the students arrived. “The Appalachian people are very proud of their heritage and do not feel deprived. In fact people feel sorry for them because the students cannot enjoy their country existence. They have a contentment and comfort in the midst of pov erty.”

As they worked on home repair, tutoring or seed packing, the Notre Dame students also learned a great lesson concerning the history, culture and lives of the Appalachian people.

were overwhelmed by the situations in which people lived, but they said that it seemed that the people lived very happily. Dustin remembers, “At first, it made me sad, but I overcame it and instead of trying to protect them or feel sorry for them, I tried to make them laugh and smile; it was all I could do.” After “doing all they could do” in Appalachia and returning to school, the students felt they had learned and benefitted much from their trip. According to Dustin, “I learned that Kentucky is not just the Derby— it’s the kids, the toothless guy chasing a chicken. It’s easy to drive through the mountains and not have a clue. Everyone needs to get out and see Michele, on the other hand, discovered just how much she could relate to the people in Appalachia. “The people love where they live and when they leave, they come back. It’s so family oriented. I was impressed by the family ties. Today most people want to get away, they do not settle near their families. Here is a different perspective, kind of the way I want to go back and live near my family.” According to Mike Affleck, “The students learned this year, as they have in the past, about Kentucky’s beau tiful culture, people, music, story telling, commitment to family, love of their earth, and desire to stay on the land of their birth. ” One can easily comprehend that the students reap many

Pattie helped house the students for several years. “We tried to help them see that Appalachia is something more than just poverty.” Pattie does not believe that the students were ever treated with disrespect or prejudice. “The families served are very appreciative. Their lives are made easier or better than they would have been without the students.” During the past years, just as the students leam about a new culture and bring parts of it home with them, Pattie feels, “the students introduce another culture to the people. Even though some have children of their own, these college kids are different because they view Appalachia from a different point of view.” So in the long run the students, the families that live in Appalachia, the volunteers from CAP and the families served by the students all benefit from the program. What would Notre Dame be like without the Center for Social Concerns and its service programs? According to Mike Affleck and many others, it is the heart of the university, the core of what Notre Dame really is about. Mike said, “Jobs, grades, money—so what? More im portant is that the students find out what God is asking them to do with their lives and to make the world a better place.” It seems that some of the most unhappy people in the world today are very rich and very famous. But, ironi cally, some Notre Dame students say that some of the happiest people they have met live in small, one-room homes in Appalachia. As both the center and the Christian Appalachian Project stress, “Would the world be a better place if the rich took the time to help the poor?” Not only would they be making harsh lives easier, but the rich may actually receive many more gifts than they could imagine.

— Megan Swiderski hasjust completed herfreshman year at the University of Notre Dame. She is a native of Lexington, Kentucky.

26 The Mountain Spirit

“They have a lot more pressures and things to deal with than we did when we were teenagers. I feel sorry for them because there’s so much out there to get them off the path to have a successful life. I think if you can keep them busy and keep their time filled with positive things that will keep them out of drugs and sexual relationships, then there’s bound to be some good come from that. -T e re ssa R en n e r ”

T eressa, along w ith CAP, believes th a t th e fu tu re o f A ppalachia lies w ith h e r children. W h en they reach y o ung a d u lth o o d they are faced w ith pow erful influ ences, som e good, som e bad. By pro v id in g teens w ith places to g a th er in th re e co u n ties, Rockcastle, G a rra rd a n d Floyd, fo r w holesom e activities, we h o p e to provide g o o d influences an d experiences fo r young people. W ill you h elp us help A ppalachia’s y oung p eo p le grow u p to be g o o d leaders fo r the re gion? A d o n a tio n o f $15, $20, $25—m o re if y o u ’re able— fo r C A P’s teen centers, o r w herever it’s n e e d e d m ost, will go a lo n g way tow ard m aking this area truly self-sufficient by proving the guidance young p e o p le n e ed to enable th em to m ake a difference.