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Father Ralph Beiting Celebrates Fifty Years In The Mountains

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M ountain S pirit The Magazine o f the C H R IS T IA N A P P A L A C H IA N P R O JE C T C O M M E M O R A T I V E

Celebration 2000: CAP Celebrates The Next 100 Years

Gifts That Grow f a An Explanation o f Planned Giving

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Celebration 2000, page 4

The Human Touch CAP’s Human Service Programs Stepping Back Allows Clearer Focus Q&A with Father Beiting

A Clearer Focus, page 24

Human Services, page 20

Published by the Christian Appalachian Project E d ito r

M argaret G abriel

e p a r t m e n t s 3

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G r a p h ic D e s ig n

K aren F ran ces Spivey C ir c u la t io n

L in d a G rid er East A d v is o r y B o a rd :

F ath er R alph W. B eitin g , Mike Sanders, Bill Begley, Becky Kana

The Mountain Spirit is published six times a year. The annual subscription price is $8.00. Subscriptions and other correspondence should be sent to The Mountain Spirit, Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Street, Lancaster, KY 40446. Copyright, 1999, The Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. All 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 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.

The Christian Appalachian Project is celebrating some important anniversaries, so important that we decided to publish, for the first time, a special issue of The Mountain Spirit. We hope to do a couple of things with this issue. First, of course, we Mike Sanders, CAP President want to tell readers about Celebration 2000, the name we have given our commemoration of Father Beiting’s 75th birthday, his silver jubilee as a priest and his 50th year of work in the mountains of Appalachia. Unlike other celebra tions of the millennium, CAP’s celebration will continue long past January 2, 2000. I’ve heard CAP vice president Ben Prewitt say many times that after other celebrations have finished, CAP will continue to celebrate not only Father Beiting’s first fifty years, but next hundred, as well. We’re pleased that editor Margaret Gabriel was able to spend some time with Father Beiting as he reminisced about the time that he has spent in Appalachia, and the new role of chair emeritus that he has assumed. I can assure readers and other members of the CAP family that, as a board member, I look forward to serving with Father Beiting for many years, and rising to the challenges that he promotes. If you are not a regular reader of The Mountain Spirit, but would like to see our regular issues, please drop us a note in the envelope in the center of the magazine. Enjoy!

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A summary of the registration and financial documents filed by this organization can be obtained by contacting: in Maryland, for the cost of copies and postage, the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 ; in Virginia, State Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209; in Washington, residents can call the Secretary of State toll-free within the state at 800332-4483; IN NEW YORK, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, CHARITIES BUREAU, 120 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10271; IN NEW JERSEY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY CALLING 201-504-6215; IN PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 800-732-0999; IN WEST VIRGINIA, SECRETARY OF STATE, STATE CAPITOL, CHARLESTON, WV 25305; IN FLORIDA, THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE AT 800-435-7352; iti NORTH CAROLINA, FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND A COPY OF THE LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 919-733-4510; or by writing to Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Street, Lancaster, KY 40446. Our license number in Michigan is MICS 9933. Registration with any of the above government agencies does not imply endorsement by the state.

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T H O U G H T S B y B e n P r e w it t or many years, we have In implementing Principle Three, “To foster individual known that to serve the growth among staff, volunteers, donors and program people of Appalachia participants,” we are given the opportunity to stretch most effectively we our boundaries as we learn from and teach those around need a comprehensive, us. Exploration of new opportunities will result in the long-range plan. A team effort that makes CAP so unique. well-thought-out, Individual growth also compels us to keep each other thoroughly discussed in prayer. Imagine the strength and power that will plan fixed clearly on CAP’S mission will assure that the result from everyone in the CAP family praying for work we’re doing descends from the purpose for which everyone else. we were founded. Principle Four, “To live out and promote the Gospel We’ve been saying that, but sometimes it’s easier through all of our actions,” is the backbone of CAP’s and more convenient to work day to day, rather than to mission statement, indeed, of CAP itself. We are guided sit around a table and ask the hard questions. When our to teach, lead and encourage by example, using the founder (and resident visionary), Father Beiting, listed Gospel of Jesus Christ as our twelve directions in instruction. We must “walk the which he wants CAP walk,” not just “talk the talk,” to move in the future, living the Gospel through our we knew the time was actions as well as our words. ripe to set that longPrinciple Five, “To foster range plan in motion. open, honest and effective When we started the communication both inside and outside the organization,” process, we wanted input or representation underscores the fact that from everyone honest communication is the involved with CAP — key to the success for any Father Beiting, donors, group involved in teamwork. officers, managers, Effective avenues of communi every employee, every cation are essential if everyone Ben Prewitt with CAP’s founder, Father Ralph Beiting. volunteer. Flard work involved in CAP’s work is to and cooperation from hundreds of people gave us that make the most of the opportunities given to us. Good input, then a group of about thirty hammered the communication is an ongoing process: it moves forward twelve points of Father Beiting’s letter into six guiding or it dies. Principle Five demands that CAP’s communi principles that support CAP’S mission statement [see cation keep moving. page 15]. Principle Six, “To involve the Appalachian people at Principle One, “To promote the dignity and selfall social and economic levels in developing solutions worth of individuals by promoting self-help,” has been to poverty,” requires involvement of all people in all CAP’s guiding principle since Father Beiting’s earliest walks of life, from people who have nothing to people days in Appalachia, when he realized that in order to who have major business holdings. From the leaders to truly help the poor they needed a hand up, not a the powerless, all people can and must take ownership handout. We have learned that, with few exceptions, - of the region, not just ownership of the land, but people in need would much rather be equipped to solve ownership of the resources that all have to offer. their own problems than to have to seek help again and Partnership with any and all can make these things again. There is little dignity in poverty, in having to ask happen. over and over for basic subsistence. By banding together in physical, spiritual and Principle Two, “To practice and encourage good emotional support of each other, the CAP family can stewardship and accountability for all of the resources live each of these principles, the very foundation of entrusted to us,” reminds us that CAP employees are CAP’s mission. trustees of gifts received from people all over the United States. As we implement our strategies and Ben Prewitt, vice-president o f planned giving and major gifts, goals, the question “Are we being good stewards?” has taken a lead role in CAP’s long-range planning. Will be a constant evaluation tool for our work.

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Celebration 2 CCP Celebrates the 100 years _ ■:* *;'

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What are we going to call it? The abbreviation Y2K isn’t a year any more, but has been appropriated as the name of a bug. If not a bug, maybe a Star Wars character. Will graduates belong to the class of Double-Zero? Double-Goose Egg? Both monikers seem a bit cruel. T

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The Christian Appalachian Project has decided to call the new millennium Celebration 2000, which will not be just a name or a year, but a celebra tion of the next hundred years, according to CAP vicepresident Ben Prewitt. Plans for Celebration 2000 began when CAP realized that in the space of a single year, three momen tous occasions were on the horizon for founder Father Ralph Beiting. In 1999 Father Beiting celebrated his 75th birthday and his 50th anniver sary as a priest; in October of 2000, he will mark the 50th anniversary of his work in Appalachia. The celebration of Father Beiting’s 75th birthday was too big for just one party. As always, Father Beiting (a New

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Year’s baby) hosted his own surprise party on New Year’s Eve, 1998. Later in January, 1999, CAP employees celebrated Father Beiting’s first 75 years at a lunch in

Renfro Valley; CAP donors got an opportunity to celebrate at a dinner in Northern Kentucky a week later. The celebra tion included greetings from over 16,000 people, including Pope John Paul II, President Bill Clinton and notables from the worlds of politics, enter tainment and sports. June 4, 1999, marked Father Beiting’s 50th anniversary as a priest. Rather than celebrating with a dinner and a party, Father Beiting chose instead to celebrate by combining two of his favorite activities: boating and preaching. “I wanted to really and truly thank God publicly for my Catholic faith, my 50 years in the priesthood

change in the new millennium,” Ben said. “CAP is making a difference, but we’re not facing the same things we faced years ago. Then, it was the basics — food, shelter, deplorable living condi tions. Now, in addition, it’s job retention, higher education, and more than just a GED. We’re no longer saying ‘Let’s get any kind of job into Appalachia,’ but the good paying jobs, the skill jobs. The bar has been raised for what we’re doing, and that’s encouraging. That’s what we’re celebrating.” Celebration 2000 will take in all aspects of the CAP family, Ben said including donors, volunteers, programs and program participants. “We want to celebrate people who have been removed from welfare and have gone back to work, but are still in those struggling stages. We want to celebrate their courage, their success stories and their ongoing trials and tribulations.” Human services vice president Moe Mercier says “CAP human services programs are about God calling each of us through the daily needs of His people here in Appala chia. Through the work we do, we are able to place a human touch to the Gospel.” Moe points out that through food pantries and the Christmas basket

program CAP feeds the hungry; the Attic store and outreach programs clothe the naked. “I could go on and on,” he says. “In living out our mission, CAP human services continue to focus on how various programs impact not just the individual, but the family as well.” As the Christian millennium (and Celebration 2000) begins, CAP is developing and implementing an outcome model which will enable programs to closely monitor participants’ progress in reaching meaningful changes in their lives. Changes include initial outcomes, such as acquiring knowledge, skills, developing positive attitudes and adopting constructive values. Intermediate outcomes, Moe says, are changes in behavior, such as activating change that has occurred at the initial change level. “An example of this type of change would be where participants in our adult literacy program not only learn to read, but also work with their young children in developing reading skills. “The greatest impact programs have are in the area of quality of life, the types of long-term out comes that result in permanent improvements in quality of life,” Moe said. He and the others who determine the direction of CAP programs are developing activities that incorpo rate the entire family in a self-help model. For example, one of CAP’s oldest and most effective programs, child development, changed its name recently to “Child and Family Development” and is focusing more on the men of the families, teaching parenting skills and interpersonal skills that influence the atmosphere in the home. Counseling services, services to elderly people and youth and teen centers are all using the outcome model, which, in essence, gives people a map for change, Moe says. “As important as it is for the participant to own their part of the problem, it is vital for them to own

Father Beiting with volunteers and form er volunteers who attended his 75th birthday party in Northern Kentucky.

and the wonder He has brought into my life,” Father Beiting told The Mountain Spirit as he was traveling the Ohio River, preaching at river ports in 14 cities in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. The third leg of Celebration 2000 kicked off in the fall of 1999, as the CAP family commemorates the beginning of Father Beiting’s work in the mountains, and much more. “In 2000 we’re going to begin the celebration of the next hundred years,” said Ben. Father Beiting’s anniversary to the priesthood and his work in the mountains are great milestones, Ben said, “but they happen to coincide with the year 2000. It’s not just his 50 years in the mountains and 50 years in the priesthood. During the next hundred years, we also want to celebrate CAP’s donors, the people who give of their resources; volunteers, the people who give of their most precious commodity — time.” One year ago, Ben said, Father Beiting gave CAP’s officers twelve points, things he thought would be suitable challenges for the future of the organization. As a result, for the first time in its history CAP developed a strategic plan. “The long and short of it is, we have to ask ourselves how CAP will

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As the oldest o f eleven, Father Beiting is used to helping little ones.

the solution as well,” Moe says. “By doing so, participants will generate self-growth, healthy family environments, and stronger commu nities. This is the direction of CAP human services for the next millen nium - to be a part of building a better future for all of us.” The volunteer program dates its origin to Father Beiting’s earliest days in Appala chia. A group of high school boys, Father Beiting’s math students at Newport Catholic High School, made a trip to Berea to con struct a nativity scene just a few weeks after the young priest had taken up residence in the small Appala

chian town. Since those early days, CAP estimates that it has had the service of over 50,000 volunteers who have given their gifts to the people of Appalachia, some for a few days, others for many years. Programs that provide the backbone of much of CAP’s work were founded and are continued to

be staffed by volunteers. CAP’s used clothing store was named “The Attic” by volunteers; the child development, outreach and elderly programs all began as the result of CAP volunteers reaching out to meet needs observed in the community. Early in 2000, CAP published Appalachian Reflections, a collection of essays of former volunteers. “This book celebrates the success of the volun teers,” Ben said. “We’re at an all-time high for the number of volunteers we have right now. That’s worth celebrating. We’re going into the next 100 years with that kind of strength.” As important as their contributions are, volun teers are but a small group of people who give unselfishly to CAP. Celebration 2000 will recognize the largest segment of CAP’s family — its donors. Father Beiting has said he believes CAP donors are the opposite of the apostle Thomas. While Thomas asked to put his hands into Jesus’ wounds in order to believe, “they believe even

Father Beiting shares thoughts with a group o f CAP human services workers.

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though they’ve never seen,” Father Beiting says of the donors who make the work of CAP possible with their gifts, both small and large. “CAP is viewed more as a ministry than a charity by our donors,” Ben said. “So, they’re results-oriented. They look at providing basic needs, helping a neighbor who’s in trouble, the person who’s less fortunate.” The loyalty of CAP donors is something else to celebrate, Ben said, something that will enable CAP to take a giant step in security. In 1998 CAP established an endow ment, which will assure its financial base “well into the next hundred

That’s something else worth celebrating, Ben said. The formation of an endowment gives an encouraging look at the future, Father Beiting says. “Day by day I try to give away everything I have, but when I die, it’s over,” Father Beiting said. “If I had been putting something in an endow ment, that money would keep reproducing and my gift will never be used up. I’d like to see some thing that is going to keep going and going, and now at the end of my journey, I’d like to continue forever. I can’t be immortal physi cally, but I can be through an

Father Beiting meets with a group o f temporary volunteers from Notre Dame University working on a home repair project.

years,” Ben said. “People have given to this organization faithfully for the last 35-plus years, and we depend on that $ 10 or $20 a month that they send in. [With our endowment] their contributions will continue after they’re gone, so we’re giving opportunities to assure their support will continue. They can give a little extra — it’s like buying an insur ance policy. Then, when they’re no longer able to give, they’ve put enough into our endowment that their contribution never misses a beat, even long after they’re unable to give.”

endowment.” Both CAP and the Catholic Diocese of Lexington have estab lished endowments in his name, Father Beiting said and “I’d like to see a million dollars in it before I die. It’s an effective use of your money, and it keeps your presence going forever.” Looking toward the future, CAP is looking to the next generation of givers, Ben said. “They’re people who want to get involved. They might not have heard of CAP, but their parents might have been CAP supporters. We can get them excited about CAP through programs in

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their churches of all denominations, their civic groups, special events, and activities where Father Beiting is appearing. Father Beiting has been recognized with several national awards lately, and they’ve all helped to draw attention to CAP, and expose new people and a younger generation to CAP’s programs and CAP’s mission.” Just as he wanted to celebrate the anniversary of his priesthood with a riverboat preaching trip in order to publicly thank God for the gifts he has been given, Father Beiting will celebrate his 50th anniversary in the mountains by meeting as many people as he can by traveling throughout the country. Throughout 2000 Father Beiting will travel to historic places around the country, meet donors, and tie his message to the history of that location. The talks during the multi-city tour are being taped in order to share them with people who have never been able to hear Father Beiting preach. The first of the tapes was made during the river preaching tour in 1999. “The focus on that first talk was on the family, where you come from, and your roots,” Ben said. “It was particularly moving because as we filmed, the backdrop was Father Beiting’s home, Northern Kentucky. As he talked about the importance of the family and where you come from, the influence your family has in your life, you can see the geo graphic area where he grew up.” In October, 1999, Father Beiting traveled to Washington, D.C., and delivered a message in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where he likened the work of CAP to the fairness and justice that Americans associate with Abraham Lincoln, a Kentuckian by birth. “When I first began to help the poor, the natural inclination was to give them food and clothing and fuel,” Father Beiting said he told the assembled group in the nation’s capital. “Then I realized that was very unfair, very unjust. I was

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CAP President Mike Sanders, Father Ralph Beiting and Moe Mercier, vice president o f human services, at Eagle Child and Family Development Center. The center has undergone renovations that benefit parents, as well as their children.

saying to a proud people ‘The only thing you’re capable of is being a recipient. You can’t take care of yourself.’ I realized that wasn’t fair and began to determine the real problems and dangers. Where was the hurt coming from? Not the symptoms. We’re not going to just put someone in an abuse shelter, for example. We’re going to figure out how in the world we can keep that from happening. That seemed to be fair. Then, the natural thing, as a Catholic priest, was to do this work as a Catholic group. But that didn’t seem fair for a couple reasons. First, there weren’t enough Catholics and we didn’t have the resources locally. Secondly, it was divisive, and Christ was about unification. If I could get people of all faiths to come together, I thought it was more Christ-like,” Father Beiting recalls telling the assembly of people in the nation’s capital.

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“We’re trying to get permission for him to speak at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where he can talk about freedom,” Ben said. “In St. Louis, under the Arch, he’ll talk about pioneering and adventure. In Memphis, from the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot, Father Beiting will reflect on civil rights. They’ll all be histori cally oriented, and things that we’ll be able to share for the next hundred years with donors who never had the opportunity to meet Father Beiting, or hear him preach on these topics.” The schedule for Father Beiting’s multi-city tour will be published in each issue of The Mountain Spirit for the coming year. In each city, CAP plans to host informal recep tions and religious services, giving Father Beiting the opportunity to not only meet as many people as possible, but to hear their concerns about the work of CAP and the

mission to poor people throughout the country. Those meetings are something to be noted and cel ebrated, Ben said. “CAP is so unique, I hope that 50 years from now, 100 years from now, we’ll still be talking about what we’re celebrating,” Ben said. “Everybody is doing 2000-this or 2000-that, but ours isn’t for the next year, but for the next 100 years. In 2099, somebody can say ‘Celebra tion 2000 is just about over.’ “Nobody knows what the next hundred years will bring, just as Father Beiting didn’t know 50 years ago what the next 50 years was going to bring. But if we celebrate with every small success and with every positive action, all those little successes, those little celebrations will turn into one big one.”

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Lifelong Education Journey Begins At Child Development Christian Appalachian Project child development centers begin with the assumption that parents are the first, best and most important teachers of their children. CAP currently operates four child development centers; two others are in planning stages. When CAP began operating child development centers the importance of preschool experience, especially for children from low-income homes, was being newly explored. Although the reports of the results of CAP child development programs are largely anecdotal, teachers who have been involved for many years say that they often meet former students, some with children of their own now, who reminisce fondly about the Sunshine Center in Lancaster or CAP Child Development in Berea. Former students frequently credit their time with CAP for a lifelong love of learning and success through public school. The Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 mandates that the state provide preschool services to four-year-old children and three-year-olds who are determined to be at risk of educa tional failure. Because the state is now serving many of the children CAP traditionally served in child development centers, the organiza tion was able to target an even younger population. Today, the centers have been renamed “Child and Family Development Centers,” and work to solidify families by encouraging them to enhance educational and employment opportunities. With welfare reform and a concentration on welfare-to-work programs came a much greater need for affordable child care for families entering the job market at minimum

wage. Several CAP centers are now providing extended-day services to enable moms and dads to re-enter the work force knowing that their children are receiving quality care. CAP is involved with families of children with disabilities through Parents Are Teachers, an early intervention program. Teachers in the program receive referrals from area

physicians and health depart ments, as well as a state registry that identifies at birth children who may need intervention services. CAP’s program differs from other intervention pro grams in that it involves parents as the earliest teachers of their children with disabilities. In this area, as well, CAP is becoming $ recognized as an expert in the 5 field. Although children attend CAP summer camps for only one week a year, what a week it is! For some children, it is their only carefree week of the year, a week filled with the positive reinforcement that comes from hugs, unconditional love and just plain fun. Day camps and sleep-over camps emphasize the importance of Christian love for children in their growing years. CAP operates teen centers in three locations that stress the importance of self-control and responsibility while providing an environment for study and after-school fun and service.

How Can I Help CAP? Not long ago, the Christian Appala chian Project received an e-mail from a supporter who asked about the avail ability of CAP volunteer opportunities for a family. We replied that because of housing limitations, different opportu nities are open for families than are available for single people. While CAP is able to accept a limited number of married couples, we are not able to accommodate families with children. There are, however, other ways for families to volunteer. For instance, they might volunteer to distribute literature about CAP to school and church groups. We are happy to make additional copies of

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those publications available to volunteers for distribution. For more information about the various ways of contributing to CAP through volunteer assistance in various forms, please contact The Mountain Spirit, 322 Crab Orchard Street, Lancaster, KY 40446. Our most powerful form of assistance, however, is prayer. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, volunteers, and supporters of all descriptions, can have a mighty influence by praying at least one minute a day for poor people in Appalachia and throughout the world.

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Community Development Reaches Over One Million Appalachian People CAP is proud that the organiza tion is able to reach people not just in Kentucky, but throughout the Appalachian region through Operation Sharing, its in-kind donation distribution program. With warehouses in Corbin and Hagerhill, Ky., the CAP program distributes such materials as books, home repair supplies, office equipment

Cliffle participates in CAP programs in Owsley County.

and furniture to hundreds of churches, schools, family resource centers and community action agencies in all thirteen Appalachian states. Operation Sharing accepts donations of any kind that fit the Christian Appalachian Project’s mission statement. Asked what that might exclude, manager Johnny Thompson thinks for a minute, and says, “If it’s microchips and we don’t have the computers, I’m not going to pay the shipping from California. Mostly, we can’t take anything that’s hazardous, but we can put a lot of stuff to good use.” Indeed, they can — materials donated by businesses and organiza-

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tions give recipients the opportunity to stretch cash resources as well as improve services to people in their counties. Another community development activity is a used clothing outlet, called “The Attic.” Donors and church groups have clothing drives and will either ship or bring items to CAP. One of CAP’s oldest programs, the Attic has always been a place where people can get more than just clothing. Attic workers can tell folks where to find help with food, shelter or utilities from CAP programs or other agencies in the area. The Berea Attic has served southern Madison County since the 1960s, and today not only sells good used clothing at reasonable prices, but provides inventory to churches and other groups that work to help low income people to help themselves. Over the years, CAP has opened Attics in many counties throughout its service area, which were then turned over to the communities to operate. Today, these stores can be found throughout the mountains. In addition to providing good clothing for people who might otherwise not be able to afford to buy school clothes for their children, CAP Attic stores have traditionally served as a “listening post,” a place where CAP workers can meet members of the community and learn of needs the organization can help to meet. Many years ago CAP workers identified the need for services to elderly people in the counties. Many senior citizens have lived their entire lives in Appalachia; many now live without the support of family who have moved away in order to find work. Workers in eleven Eastern Kentucky counties help elderly people to set and meet goals for living happy productive lives.

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Record Number of CAP Volunteers The Christian Appalachian Project is currently enjoying a record number of long-term volunteers to its human services programs, according to coordinator of volunteer recruitment Mary McNamara. In September, 28 volunteers joined, and in October 1999, the total number was 94, CAP’S largest volunteer group ever. Over one-third of the group, Mary says, first came to CAP as short term volunteers, highlighting the importance of both summer camp and WorkFest, the home repair “blitz” that CAP sponsors for college students annually during spring break. Through seasonal opportunities, CAP gives short term volunteers a good sampling of its mission and its programs. The volunteer ranks also include a good mixture of various age groups; Half of the volunteers are under the age of 25, half are over, including

two who are past the age of 70. Onethird of the volunteers first heard of CAP from a mailing, or one of eleven books written by founder Father Ralph Beiting. Five are from the state of Kentucky. “Other groups At a home repair site in Jackson County, Father Beiting tells a group o f volunteers about his early days in ministry. are doing well, too,” Mary says of CAP recruiting learn that their grandmother has success. “There’s a renewed interest made donations to CAP or a friend in spirituality, and that seems to be a of a friend has worked as a volun catalyst for people doing service teer. “This all validates that CAP is work. AmeriCorps, too, is a good real,” Mary says. motivator.” “Every year as we increase our A combination of information numbers, 700 people come as short seems to merge to attract volunteers, term volunteers and word gets out. Mary says. Someone searching for a These short-term experiences give volunteer opportunity might see a people an opportunity to see what CAP display at a college event, then we’re about.”

Long Term Impact The CAP volunteer program needs summer camp counselors, nurses and lifeguards to staff four camps in eastern Kentucky. We are seeking highenergy men and women, age 18 or older, for the months of June, July and early August. We would like a commitment of at least two months, but a 3-7 week stay can be arranged. Room and board is provided, also orientation and ongoing training, daily prayer and a potential AmeriCorps Educational Award.

For more information call

(800) 755-5322

e-mail: volunteer@chrisapp.org

Visit us: www.chrisapp.org

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Christian Appalachian Project Volunteer Project

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Crisis Intervention Programs Help People Help Themselves CAP’s mission, to provide physical, spiritual and emotional support to people in need in Appalachia, is often called to action by a call from a family in crisis. Although the organization’s goal is to equip people with the skills they need to help themselves, often, those skills cannot be employed until the basic needs of food, clothing, and safe shelter are met. Garry Vickers, assistant director of CAP human services, is devising an outcome logic model for use in all of CAP’s crisis intervention program. The model uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and Garry will encourage workers to use it in helping the people they serve to achieve self-actualization. CAP outreach workers often meet families when they are in need of food, clothing or shelter. As they become involved with CAP’s outreach program, they are given the tools they need to move up the pyramid by achieving a feeling of safety and self-esteem. Workers at CAP’s two spouse abuse shelters are often faced with the challenge of providing not only safety but a feeling of self worth to

Is there a CAP program that you don’t see in this issue of The Mountain Spirit? CAP’s web site includes information about all of CAP’s human service programs, planned giving and major gifts and the volunteer program. Please visit the site at www.chrisapp.org and be sure to sign our guest book!

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victims of domestic violence. Sadly, they are able to answer the question “Why doesn’t she just leave?” and it’s never as easy as just packing a bag and walking out the door. Residents of CAP’s spouse abuse shelters frequently must have their self-esteem completely rebuilt after years of violence at the hands of perpetrators. At Family Life Abuse Shelter and Big Sandy Family Abuse Shelter the “safety” level of the hierarchy doesn’t just refer to a house or a dwelling. Many of those coming to a CAP abuse shelter fear for their lives and those of their children. In safety, they can determine the best course to take. Although many return to their

perpetrator, others are able to take residence at Family Life Services, a residence for people who are working to make changes in their lives. Some residents are former victims of abuse; others are home less for a variety of reasons. All, however, have made the decision to work on the educational, vocational and life skills they need to make a significant change in life. With the assistance of FLS staffers, residents set goals and look at the steps they need to take to achieve those goals. At a recent FLS reunion, staffers were happy to note the number of families had made significant changes in their lives and were continuing to make the adjustments necessary to assure success for parents as well as children. Families with a member with a disability don’t necessarily consider themselves to be in a crisis situation, but nevertheless need an occasional break from providing constant care to their loved one. Rejoice Respite provides such relief for families in the Big Sandy region with in-home services. Rainbow Respite in Renfro Valley services families with both in-home and residential settings.

CAP Plans to Celebrate Millennium by Making More Grants Some of the most important work that is done by the Christian Appalachian Project is work that is done in partnership with other groups and individuals. In the new millennium, as CAP celebrates its next hundred years, extra effort will be made to continue the partner ships that CAP started a number of years ago through human service grants to other organizations. Father Ralph Beiting, in his new role as chairman emeritus of CAP’s board says he will continue to encourage grants. “I want to support groups that are good programs; they

could do more if they got some help from us. If we can be that enabler, that energizer, how much good we could do,” Father Beiting says. He believes strongly that much of the work that needs to be done in the region will be done not by CAP alone, but the partnerships that are established by “spreading money around, encouraging young things to grow,” (with apologies to Thornton Wilder). CAP will also be awarding grant money to GED graduates who will be working to further their education through college or vocational training.

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Better Lives Start with Better Education Realizing that learning is a lifelong process, the Chris tian Appalachian Project promotes and teaches a variety of education classes for adults to help the region attract good job opportunities. As a response to welfare reform, in 1997 CAP began JobStart, a training program for people — some welfare recipients, others who are not — who are entering the work force for the first time, or returning after many years. In its first two years of operation, JobStart has been an JobStart includes instruction in computer skills. enormous success, ingraining in participants not only One of the most important job skills, but a boost in self-esteem components of both JobStart and and a belief that they can do Job Retention is the emphasis on anything to which they set their continuing education and improve minds. ment of skill so that people not only Recently, CAP was asked by the enter the job market, but are able to state of Kentucky to begin a reach a pay level that will bring program that concentrates on job families to an income above the retention. Although Kentucky has poverty level. recently seen an encouraging Participant education programs decrease in unemployment rates in include CAPRICE (Christian many counties, people who are Appalachian Project Resource for entering the job market with limited Independence and Community training, and problems that include Employment), which provides life lack of transportation and child skills and job training for adults care, may have a difficult time with disabilities. Upon entering keeping a job. CAP’s Job Retention CAPRICE, a participant charts life program helps both employees and experiences, and determines the employers overcome the obstacles direction to go. Some participants that keep people from performing are working toward independence, productively on a job. The state’s others have set a goal of home invitation establishes CAP as a ownership. Whatever the goals, leader and innovator in improving CAPRICE staffers do whatever is the employment status of lowneeded to help participants reach income people. them.

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WORKPIACi PAYROLL DEDUCTION If your employer offers donor designation as a write-in for payroll deduction campaign, please remember the Christian Appalachian Project. CAP is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt agency, and payroll deduction is the easiest way to help the families of Appalachia. To ensure that we receive your payroll deduction gifts, please give your payroll officer CAP’s full address and send to the attention of: Teresa McAnly-Campaign Coordinator

Christian Appalachian Project 322 Crab Orchard Street Lancaster, KY 40446

CAP Grants Economic Development Resources to MEDF Over the last two decades, coal mining has almost completely disappeared from a few counties, some of which are counties served by CAP, because the mineral has been depleted or “mined out.” In other counties, where mining is still prevalent, the process has become highly mechanized. A single million-dollar machine can wipe out several dozen jobs. Since the 1970s several thousand jobs in the mining industry have been lost to mechani zation. The Christian Appalachian Project has chosen to support the Mountain Economic Development Fund, a nonprofit organization which loans capital for new and relocated business endeavors, as its method of encouraging economic development activity. CAP is proud to be one of several financial resources for the fund.

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Mission Statement dhe Christian flppahachian (project is an interdenom inational non-profit Christian organization com m itted to serving peopCe in need in flppahachia by providing physical spirituaC andem otionaisupport through a wide variety o f programs a n d services.

I. To promote the dignity a n d seCf-worth o f individuals 6y promoting seff-heCp.

II. To practice a n d encourage goo d stewardship o f a n d accounta6dity f o r a d o f the resources entrusted to us.

III. To fo s te r individuahgrowth among staff, voCunteers, donors a n d program participants.

IV . To hive out a n d promote the Çospei through a d o f our actions.

V. To fo s te r open, honest a n d effective communication 6oth inside a n d outside the organization.

V i. To invoCve the ßppafachian peopCe at a d sociai a n d economic CeveCs in deveCoping solutions to poverty.

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Gifts That Grow The Christian Appalachian Project planned giving staff can make donors familiar with many ways to make substantial gifts to CAP’S work.

Ben Prewitt, Vice President Planned Giving and Major Gifts

Gift Annuity Agreement When they married, Tony and Barbara made a pact that they would always include gifts to charity as a regular part of their family budget. Over the years, they supported their church, the fund raising projects of the schools their children attended and their respec tive alumni associations. When they learned ten years ago of the Christian Appalachian Project after reading a newspaper story about the work of its founder, Father Ralph Beiting, they decided to send regular small donations to help support the work that the group was doing to alleviate Appalachian poverty. Recently, Tony and

Barbara wanted to make a more substantial gift to CAP, but needed to make assurances for their security as they age. After consult ing with a CAP staff member as well as their own accountant, they learned that a Charitable Gift Annuity would be a suitable way to accomplish both their goals. Through the Charitable Gift Annuity, Tony and Barbara made a gift to CAP and receive fixed annual payments for life. The size of payments is based on the ages of payment recipients when the gift is made; the older the recipients, the larger the payments. Tony and Barbara are allowed a tax deduc tion for a portion of the gift amount. For a period of years, only part of the payments will be taxed as income. If stocks or other property that has risen in value (appreciated) is given, the realized capital gains can be reported over a period of time equal to their life expectancies. The couple is reassured by the knowledge that payments will continue as long as either of them lives; when the second passes away, the gift remains with CAP as a lasting memorial to the pact they made when they married. Charitable Bequest Carolyn had been a widow for many years, and for many years she had been sending generous gifts to the Christian Appalachian Project.

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Like many donors in her situation, Carolyn was looking for a way to enable her resources to have a greater impact, but was hesitant to make larger gifts because of her desire to remain financially selfsufficient and independent. Rather than calling, Carolyn e-mailed jhammons@chrisapp.org and asked about ways to reach her philan thropic goals. She learned that a bequest would enable her to make a significant gift while hedging against unforeseen events. In effect, she learned, a bequest operates like a post-dated check, payable only after her death. In this way, Carolyn can transfer a stated amount of funds or specific real and personal property or designate a percentage of trust assets remaining after payment of debts and expenses. Life estate agreement For three generations, Lloyd’s family had owned the several hundred acres that provided the living with which he supported his family. His three children each chose lives away from the farm after college and were successful in the paths they chose. After his wife passed away, Lloyd began to search for a way to make his farm even more productive than it had been when it was providing for his loved ones. One day, Lloyd received a book in the mail, A Promise o f Hope, by Father Ralph Beiting. He had a

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C h a r it a b l e R e m a in d e r U n it r u s t Trustee 9>

Trust Income

Christian Appalachian Project

meet Tom and Mary’s needs, because after giving CAP the use of their gift for a set period of time, the funds would be available for their children or grandchil dren. The trust would also be available if Tom or Mary died and the survivor was in need of the funds.

Revocable Chari table Trust Agree Income Trust Agreement ment Beneficiary Lee Ann lived by the adage, “Live simply that others might simply Tom and Mary were at a feeling he had heard of Father crossroads in their giving. They live.” She had never married, but Beiting somewhere before, but was worked as a teacher all her life. After had supported CAP with monthly completely unaware of the work he retiring, Lee Ann had a substantial gifts for many years, but had had been doing in Appalachia for nest egg that she had saved because arrived at a stage in their lives nearly fifty years. He was unable to her simple life had also been quite when they felt they should be able put the small volume down, and at frugal. Lee Ann’s teacher’s pension the end, learned that CAP’S planned to do more. They were “empty would more than satisfy her needs; nesters”; their children were giving staff could help him make she decided to place her nest egg in decisions concerning his farm. After beginning lives of their own, and a Revocable Charitable Trust Tom and Mary were looking making a call to CAP’s toll free Agreement with CAP. The agree forward to the days when their number (800-955-3470) Lloyd home would see grandchildren. ment suited Lee Ann’s needs learned about entering a life estate because she knew that in the event While the children were no longer agreement. she needed the funds for medical or dependent on Tom and Mary for Under the agreement, Lloyd day-to-day support, the couple other expenses, she need only transferred the title of his farm to hoped to pass an inheritance on to request it. CAP, but that was the only change them. Through CAP’s magazine, The income tax advantages in his routine. He continued present with other types of trusts working the farm, retaining both the The Mountain Spirit, Tom and Mary learned of the planned giving don’t exist in a revocable trust, since income that it produced and the department. They sent a letter to Lee Ann retained the right to ask for right to live there and use the real 322 Crab Orchard Street, the return of the property if she estate for the rest of his life. Lloyd Lancaster, KY 40446, explaining needed it. But more important than a was able to continue the farming he their situation, and received tax break to her was the good feeling enjoyed so well, while surrounded information within the week about she had of being able to make a by cherished family memories. In a Charitable Lead Trust. substantial gift to CAP, while still addition to retaining the income They learned they could set up a being able to care for her own needs produced by the farm, Lloyd was trust to provide income to CAP for when the time came. also responsible for the upkeep of a period of time they could Title to Lee Ann’s property will the property. He received a tax determine: five, ten, 15 years or pass under the terms of the trust deduction available in the year of even more. They found that a lead agreement. It will not pass through the gift. After his death CAP will trust can provide significant her will and may avoid the public receive his property to use as income to CAP, as well as estate aspect of probate. As an added needed or as he directs. Check with tax benefits, and is often a way to benefit to CAP, the property escapes your attorney regarding the laws of estate taxes, as does all property pass property economically to your state concerning a life estate passed to a charity. heirs. agreement. They determined a Charitable The income from the trust during Lead Trust was the best vehicle to Lee Ann’s lifetime will be paid to Charitable Lead Trust

Assets

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her, another person, or a charitable organization, as she directs.

“double duty.” The life income you receive from the gift plan will be based on the full value of your Charitable Remainder Unitrust property, not just what would be left After her husband’s death, after you paid tax on the gain. You Virginia no longer needed the large will also enjoy tax savings from the house in which they had raised their deduction you receive when you family. Maintenance was a problem create the plan. This amount can be for her, and the large rooms invested for greater income. echoed memories that made Many middle- and upper-income Uniform G ift Annuity her feel lonely. Virginia (her persons could substantially Rates Single Life friends called her “Ginny”) increase the “income” from decided to reach out to a investment assets by 30 percent Age Rate Age Rate lifelong dream of becoming a or more while receiving the 50 6.5% 71 7.9% volunteer. She called CAP satisfaction of making a very 51 6.6 and asked for an application 72 meaningful gift in the process. 8.0 for the volunteer program, 52 6.6 73 8.2 then transferred her call to Estate Taxes 53 6.6 74 8.3 the planned giving office. Each year more and more 54 6.7 75 8.5 Ginny’s husband had left her people discover that their estates 6.7 55 in a comfortable situation. are surpassing value at which 76 8.7 She and the planned giving Federal estate taxes are levied. 56 6.8 77 8.9 staff discussed a charitable Many states tax estates as well. 57 6.8 78 9.1 remainder unitrust funded Consequently, minimizing estate 58 6.9 9.4 79 with the large house she no taxes is now of vital interest to 59 6.9 longer needed — especially many as they plan. Charitable 80 9.6 if she was to join CAP’s gift planning can reduce the cost 60 7.0 81 9.9 volunteers! Both plans are of passing property to others. 61 7.0 82 10.1 irrevocable trusts, she There is no limit on the amount 62 7.1 10.4 83 learned, and would provide of property you can give to 7.1 63 income based on the value of 84 charitable institutions through 10.6 the property given. (A your estate. Many people choose 64 7.2 85 10.9 unitrust provides a fluctuat to leave property in arrangements 65 7.3 11.1 86 ing income based on a fixed that first provides income for 7.4 66 87 11.4 percentage of the trust’s survivors and then becomes a 67 7.5 annual value.) When the trust gift to qualified charitable 88 11.6 is created, Ginny can defer or 68 organizations and institutions, 7.6 89 11.8 even avoid capital gains tax. such as CAP. 7.7 69 90 12.0 An income tax deduction is and over 70 7.8 available for a portion of the value of Ginny’s property For further information, contact the and there can also be estate tax cost. The combined benefits of Planned Giving Office of the Christian benefits. bypassing tax on the capital gain, Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard receiving an income tax deduction St., Lancaster, KY 40446, (606) 792Tax Considerations and making a charitable gift can be 3051, Toll Free: (800) 955-3470 While most charitable gifts are gratifying to your sense of doing Email: jhammons@chrisapp. org. made in the form of cash, important good, and can make good economic advantages can be possible when sense in your retirement plan as This information is fo r illustrative gifts are made using non-cash well. purposes only. The Christian Appalachian property that has increased in value. Project is not engaged in rendering legal or When stocks, bonds, real estate or Increasing your retirement tax advisory service. For advice and other assets are sold after having assistance in specific cases, the services o f income an attorney or other professional advisor grown in value, a special tax is due If you have property that has should be obtained. Watch for tax revisions. on any profit made on the sale — increased in value but yields little State laws govern wills, trusts and “capital gains tax,” as it’s called. income, using it to fund a charitable charitable gifts made in a contractual agreement. One of the only ways to avoid or gift plan can help your assets do

delay the capital gains tax is to make a charitable gift of the property. When you give property that has been held for the long term and has grown in value, you may take a deduction based on the value to which the property has grown rather than just what it originally

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B ooks O n T ape By Father Ralph Beiting Now available on cassette, the voice of Father R alph B eitin g brings to life the stories and experiences of his work in the mountains of Appalachia. As founder of the C hristian

Father Ralph

A p p ala ch ia n Project, Fr. Beiting has

earned a reputation in Appalachia as a true visionary and advocate for change. His self-help philosophy has materialized in the human service programs of the Christian Appalachian Project. The books on tape are available to y o u at n o cost. Each book contains two cassettes, packaged in a full color vinyl case. A d o n a tio n to h e lp c o v er th e c o st o f th e b o o k , s h ip p in g an d h a n d lin g is ap p reciated . Your donation will also help

make possible the work of the Christian Appalachian Project. To order please fill out the following card: □

Please send me one of the following books on tape at no cost.

□ □ □

G od Can M ove M ountains T he P ro m ise o f Faith . . . W ith C hrist We Can D o A ll T hin gs A Tim e o f C risis . . . A Tim e fo r C hrist

I have enclosed a donation of: □ $10.00 □ $15.00 □ $20.00 □ Other $__________ To help cover the cost of the book and further the mission of the Christian Appalachian Project One book p e r order, P lease— limited quantities available. Any questions? You may contact us at (800) 955-3470 ______________________________ MS-M Please make checks payable and mail to: C hristian A p p alach ian Project 322 Crab Orchard Street • Lancaster, KY 40446 Visit our web site at: www.chrisapp.org email: capinfo@chrisapp.org

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Although it is the quality of the services provided by the Christian Appalachian Project rather than the quantity that is of the utmost importance, the human services department keeps a record every year of the participation in its programs. The success is not measured in just numbers, though. Caseworkers and program managers are asked to share success stories every year, stories which illustrate the work that is done, and the outcome of that work.

Teen leadership camps offer a summer alternative to hundreds o f young adults throughout Eastern Kentucky.

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PARTICIPANT EDUCATION Programs include Adult Learning Center, Rockcastle Youth & Teen Center, Pathfinders Youth & Teen Center, CAPRICE, JobStart, Community Education Advocates. These programs served 3,374 people. CAP’S adult learning programs served 929 people studying for the General Education Diploma. Of the 929 served, more than 60% were served at or by satellite programs. Community Education Advocates workers made school presentations in Floyd and Magoffin counties to 1,023 students. Women’s groups in three counties provided fellowship to 96 women. CAPRICE (Christian Appalachian Project Resources for Independent in Community and Employment) provided training for 193 people with disabilities.

An inquisitive four-year old engages the attention o f Father Beiting on a recent program tour to the child’s school, Eagle Child and Family Development Center.

CAP is currently drafting an outcome model that will give program managers a means of determining success and giving participants a more useful means of setting goals. The outcome model that is being devised by human services assistant director Garry Vickers “closely monitors partici pants’ progress in reaching mean ingful changes in their lives,” according to human services vice president Moe Mercier. “These changes include initial outcomes, such as acquiring knowledge, skills, developing positive attitudes and adopting constructive values.” Through CAP’s elderly services program, a couple in Lawrence

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County became involved in the types of initial outcomes that Moe describes when they were referred to home repair and visitation. CAP home repair made repair on their home, which was in poor condi tion, and over the course of three years, the couple developed close relationships with several CAP workers. “Christine passed away about a month ago,” said program manager Melissa Vance. “At the funeral, her daughter introduced our volunteer, Grace, as Christine’s best friend. Sometimes just being there and ministering to someone means more to that person than what we might think.”

CAPRICE participants volunteered in schools, business and churches in order to acquire job skills that prepare them for employment. CAPRICE participants who are involved in the self-advocacy group recognized businesses in the community for their efforts in making facilities accessible to people with disabilities. JobStart provided job-readiness training to 217 people in six counties. CAP’S teen and youth centers provided 989 youth with a safe place to study and socialize.

working on basic job skills, center workers provided stimulation and activities for her baby. “One of the hardest things we had to do, when we started out with our family literacy program three years ago, was to train ourselves to do child development with babies,” Becky said. “It was hard for us not to consider it babysitting while their mamas worked on their GED.” Research shows that early intervention is crucial to brain development, Becky said, and that intervention is far more than babysitting. Mae completed her work in the program when she took a job, which also enabled her to move her children out of At the end o f each twelve-week JobStart class, staff conducts a graduation ceremony lots o f government housing. Her son hugs, happy tears and congratulations. will begin preschool in the fall, giving the family continued Knowledge and friendship is crucial access to the Sunshine Center to many of the initial outcomes for community of families. participants in CAP programs, but as The ultimate goal, Moe said, of in seeking deeper change, a worker the outcome models is to effect will help the participant move toward the quality of life of program intermediate outcomes. “An example of this type of change would be where participants. “Long-term out comes are indicated by a change participants in our adult literacy of condition or status of the programs not only learn to read, but also work with their young children in individual and of the family,” he said. “Through the progression of developing reading skills,” Moe said. initial and intermediate outcomes, In the years that CAP has been we see participants experience involved in child development, differing levels of success, but involvement with the family has always been a top priority, but recently when we reach the point of long term outcomes, we see all the child development centers have previous changes unite into changed their names to “Child and permanent improvements in their Family Development Centers” and are quality of life.” working with families in life andjob The Christian Appalachian skills, as well as parenting. This Project began JobStart as a change is especially important, as response to welfare reform and Kentucky moves through the changes has been moving people success in welfare reform, which requires fully toward long term outcomes, participation in training programs as as well.. The program is designed people move toward self-sufficiency. to train participants in job skills Becky Kana, manager of the and in doing so, they gain the Sunshine Center Family and Child self-esteem needed to believe in Development Center in Garrard their abilities. Although most of County tells of Mae and her son, who the current JobStart participants came to the center to participate in the are women, the program welfamily literacy program. As Mae was

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Programs include Operation Sharing, Used Clothing Store, Elderly Services. These pro grams served 5,305 people. 1,189,920 of them were served by Operation Sharing. A used clothing store known as The Attic operated in Madison County. The store served 30,217 customers in FY99. Through organizations like United Christian Mission and Red Bird Mission, CAP’S Attic program served dozens of used clothing outlets in Appalachia. The Attic received and distrib uted 325,136 pounds to other organizations and CAP out reach participants. Staff and volunteers served 1,361 elderly people in 12 counties. Services to elderly people included transportation, shop ping, group activities and home repair. Prescription assistance pro grams save participants over $170,000 in medication ex pense. Operation Sharing, CAP’S inkind donation distribution program, supplied goods to 1,281 churches and communitybased program. In-kind donations were received from 122 organizations. CAP estimates that 1,189,920 people were impacted by donations through Operation Sharing Operation Sharing distributed materials in all 13 Appalachian states.

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comes men, as well. Roscoe, for example, was ordered by the court to attend the program. His work history was spotty because of alcohol abuse, and he did not often get to see his children, as he and his wife are separated. Program manager Janet Ryan Outreach worker, Sandy Knight meets with a local farmer reports that Roscoe about CAP ’.v gardening program. is working in a ing, he has much better self-esteem, maintenance job, which he really enjoys. “The family is communicat- a change in attitude, and he has quit drinking.” Roscoe credits JobStart CHILD DEVELOPMENT teacher Sandy Spaulding for Programs include CAP Child “teaching him to go after what he and Family Development wants and not waiting around for Center, Sunshine Child and someone else to change his circum Family Development Center, stances,” Janet said. “His nine-yearFamily Life Child and Family old son attended the JobStart Development Center, Eagle graduation and shared the changes Child and Family Development he has seen in his dad ‘since Center, Parents-Are- Teachers, JobStart.’ His big bright smile and camps Andrew Jackson, connected ear to ear.” Obviously, Shawnee and Boone’s the changes that occurred for Landing. These programs Roscoe rippled through his entire served 11,217 people. family. In his role as vice president, Moe reminds program managers as Services were provided to 713 well as participants of the unique children and 825 parents qualities of CAP’S programming, through four child development which “offers all of us the opportu centers. nity to live out and every day, put flesh to the words of the Gospel, Parents-Are-Teachers served acutely giving those words life,” 309 parents and their children Moe said. with disabilities in ten counties. “In the real sense of the word, the Church — the people of God — Camps Andrew Jackson, CAP employees and volunteers, can Shawnee and Boone’s Landing live what that word challenges each hosted 1,169 campers. of us to do daily. CAP human services are exactly about God School-year education calling each of us through the daily programs at Camp Shawnee needs of His people here in Appala were provided for 1,252 chia to put flesh and human touch to students; at Camp Andrew His Gospel to feed the hungry, Jackson, 1,963 and 1,078 at clothe the naked and listen to those Camp Boone’s Landing. who hurt deeply.” Placing a human touch to the Parents-Are-Teachers staff Gospel is the heart of CAP pro referred 94 participants for gramming, the essence of CAP’s services to other CAP mission. programs.

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CRISIS INTERVENTION Programs include Outreach Services, Family Life Ser vices, Housing, Big Sandy Family Abuse Center, Family Life Abuse Center, Family Life Counseling, Rainbow Respite Care and Rejoice Respite Care. These programs served 40,973 people. Caretakers of 680 adults and 159 children with disabilities received respite services from Rainbow and Rejoice Res pite. Emergency assistance, Christmas basket distribution and gardening programs operated in 13 counties. Assistance that included rent, utilities and medical bills was provided to 22,760 people. 4,865 individuals participated in CAP’S Christmas baskets program. Seed and gardening supplies were provided to 2,609 individuals. CAP operated two spouse abuse shelters which pro vided assistance to 270 women and 362 children in crisis due to domestic vio lence. CAP’S domestic violence crisis phones received over 1,287 calls. Another 4,534 calls were received from adults or children for informa tion and referrals. The Family Life Counseling Service provided services to 2,282 parents and children. CAP made significant renova tions to 190 homes in four teen counties, occupied by 721 people.

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Father Ralph Belting answers questions regarding his position as Chairman Emeritus The Mountain Spirit: Most o f us were surprised to learn that you had made the decision to resign as chairman o f the board. How did you come to this decision at this time? Fr. B: In the early days of CAP, when I was barely in my thirties, life seemed unlimited. As we began to do more and more I realized this wasn’t a one-person job. So people began to be hired for various jobs. Then the idea came that I needed a board of directors with the authority

to make decisions that I had been making by myself for the twentyplus years that I’d been in Appala chia. In the beginning, they wouldn’t be a board of directors because I had so much debt, but they agreed to be a board of advisors. I accepted them on that basis but eventually they did agree to be a board of directors. So, somewhere in the mid-70s, I guess, I started getting more people involved with making decisions.

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When I moved from Lancaster in 1981, I handed in my resignation as president and the board wouldn’t accept it. They said there were things I could be doing in the new area of far Eastern Kentucky, where I had been transferred. MS: Was that difficult, or some thing that became easier as the workload became heavier? Fr. B: These decisions aren’t made based on how busy I was, but out of the realization of what I was: a

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While Father Betting often regrets that he did not play the role o f father in his life, a volunteer group at one time awarded him a t-shirt that says, “Ask Me About My Kids. ”

servant called to do something for the poor of Appalachia. To be of service, I was going to need many more people than myself, not only for executing, but for planning. What if I got killed in an automo bile accident, which was always a possibility with the amount of driving I was doing. I wanted to make sure this lived, so I had to put it into the hands of people who were going to keep it alive. I want to see the organization not only endure, but grow and prosper and develop, so it wasn’t hard from that stand point. In the back of my mind I always knew that if I really loved the thing, I was going to have to give up being chairman of the board. I’m going to die someday, therefore resignation is going to come sooner or later. I’m in good health, but people have heart attacks and my schedule isn’t a retirement schedule by any stretch of the imagination. I travel in a car 60,000 miles a year, and that doesn’t count airplanes and all the rest. I’m giving more talks and I’m involved in

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more things, and I’ll stay involved with most of it, as well as the speaking and fund raising that I’ll keep doing for CAP. I’m not sure it was the right time, but you have to make a decision. It seemed that with increasing age, I should do it now. I can still make a positive impact, which will make a good transition period. Whatever time I still have left as an active and energetic person, I can offer new ideas, and recall them to our spirituality, our sense of service. MS: How will you continue to be involved with CAP? Fr. B: I’ll remind CAP that they’re a spiritual entity not a social charity or a humanitarian group. Our Christian heritage means we’re called to be leaders, always an explorer. Always an innovator, never content with the status quo. As an innovator you’ve never arrived —you’re always in voyage. I’m going to keep reminding about all that. I’ve been doing that all along, but I think I’m going to do it more now because my time is

shorter. I want CAP to become more and more of an enabler, an energizer. In our first 35 years we had to prove our worth and begin programs because people didn’t much want anything to do with us. But now we’ve gotten recognition that we’re a nice group of people and that we have noble motives. So why can’t we do something for this group and that group? That’s why, years ago, I started the grant program. Now, counting Mountain Christian Academy and others, we give away half a million dollars every year and I’d like to see us give away over a million. I’m going to push the question of what we’re going to do about families, the core of anything. If you have a solid, good family, you’re going to overcome anything. I was the oldest of eleven in the midst of the greatest depression this century has seen and every one of my brothers and sisters has married, they’re still married, they have batches of kids and they’re all prospering. They’re all people of faith. We’re

still people who are proud and giving good example. Why? Because we had a strong family: a father and mother who made sacrifices and grandparents and aunts and uncles. What an exciting thing for CAP to be one of the leaders in Appalachia on family, to instill a religious spirit that’s going to say that people are going to stay in Appala chia. I argue with the [state] Task Force on Education because it says “Education Pays.” If you keep that going, I tell them, you’re going to lose everybody you train because they’ll go to Louisville or Cincinnati or Columbus and get a better job than they can here. You have to make them understand that “pays” means more than just money. It means creativity, changing your homeland to things that are compat ible with society today. MS: You’ve said many times that you believe old age to be a great gift. Fr. B: Yes, I think it’s the greatest gift God gives us. I’ve tried to live my life, imper fectly as I’ve done it, with the idea that I am the servant of God. When I first came at age 2 6 ,1 could do a lot more, physically, than I can do now, at 76. I could lift more, run faster, get here and there without any difficulty. Now I appreciate it when somebody gives me a hand and I can get up the steps a little easier. But there is a grace in age that comes because you can offer God your sufferings. When you’re young, you think you’re invincible; when you’re old you know dam well you’re not. I try to offer God all the aches and pains I have as a gift of love. I believe that has more effect on helping the poor than all of the work I do. God’s grace is what’s bringing about the victory,

not my efforts or somebody else’s. Growing old is a wonderful gift of God. Prayer becomes more impor tant, you have a history behind you, you’ve seen how God’s providence works and how God’s love is manifested. When you’re young you worry yourself to death; now you don’t worry near so much. You

just say it’s in God’s hands, I’ve done the most I can and I have no worries; God is going to take what is really the best course. MS: You’ve used your parents as models from your days as a boy. Do you model them in your old age as well? Fr. B: Oh yes, they were both in their 80s when they passed away, and offered their sufferings to God. When we rolled Dad into Mother’s bedside, just about an hour before she died, she held his hand and said, “Daddy, I’ve always loved you. Today I love you more than ever.” There was a time that you could see the love of family. Maybe they weren’t as involved romantically as when they were first married, in the sense of sexual things, but intimacy

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was much greater. The prayers they said every day, their great desire to get to Mass as long as they were able, was a very positive influence. Outside of my Catholic faith, family has been my greatest blessing. And the Catholic faith was nourished because of the family. About 7:00 this morning, I got a call from David Feldman over in Lancaster. His mother’s been taken to the hospital and he asked if I could say a Mass that she would pass comfortably to God. That’s family, whether people are physically united to you, or through your parish. From your family you learn that family is people you’ve come to know over the years and you’ve worked with. As a priest, I don’t have a physical family, but many people who are, perhaps, even closer. MS: Tell a bit about the advance o f the presence o f the Catholic Church in the mountains. From the early part of the twentieth century until 1945 when Bishop [William] Malloy came, Catholics were part of a community that didn’t understand us. Most of the churches were in coal camps, not county seats. The first Catholic church in a county seat came in about 1936 or ’38 in Hazard. Even Bishop Howard, who was a fine man and deeply loved the missions, wanted to keep Catholics seques tered. Then Bishop Malloy came, and I think he was the most invigo rating thing the Diocese of Covington has had this century. He said the role of the church is not to just have Mass and protect the Catholics but to extend the love of God to everybody. Let’s get into county seats. Let’s get into hospi tals. Let’s start schools. Let’s get involved in getting people to reach

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beyond the sanctuary. That’s how I got to the mountains. He wanted to get seminarians excited — in a very real sense, he was the most effective leader we’ve had. People like myself who grew up under him, profited by his energy, his enthusi asm and his vision. I tried to keep that up in Berea when we got a place right on U.S. 25, not on some back street. We said, “we’re the Catholic presence here.” Of course, people would come and say “can you help us with food, with this and that.” But that’s what we were after. Then we got groups from all over to help reach out in mission work. We were making some pretty extensive inroads. MS: So the vision was not just to minister to the Catholic community, but to feed the hungry? Fr. B: It was to do what the Catholic Church was about. It was about being the messenger of God for everybody, the heralds of the good news. It’s what our job was. Christ fed the poor, cured the sick, instructed the ignorant. He did all those things. If we are to be truly Christ-like, that’s our job, too. But, we can’t do the job ourselves, so just from a strictly sensible stand point we have to have all other people of good will get together to do the job. That’s the mind of Christ. He said if they’re not against you, they’re for you. I went the Bishop at the time, and asked for permission to join ministerial associations, which we had never joined before. He asked why, and I said, because I think Christ would do that, I think he would talk to everybody. At first, he said no, but three or four months later, we got permission. MS: What changed his mind? Fr. B: Prayer. I wasn’t doing anything heretical. I wasn’t denying anything Catholic, but I was involved with these other people and other religions. By that time I was in the mountains 15 years building churches. We became part of a ministerial group and had

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closer ties with them. Now they view the Catholic Church as a caring group of people who can be counted on. Catholics are willing to do anything they can no matter what your religion or lack of it. We talk about God in a way that isn’t either hell fire or brimstone or just pious, ‘let’s just love God and everything’s OK.’ We come in with some specific things. MS: Do people think you ’re trying to convert them? Fr. B: Part of my agenda has always been to see how many people you could bring into the Catholic faith. But not as a competi tor, someone who’s taking members away from other churches. On Friday night I’m giving a talk to the

Methodist Women’s society on the role of women in Christianity as the new millennium comes. They can ask me to come and talk about spiritual things, but they know very well that I’m interested in bringing people who have no church to a closer relationship with God. I love to give someone who is still looking for an answer in their search with God the beauty that we have in the Catholic Church, but for those who are convinced in their own religion, I’m not trying to dissuade them. We’re saying join your strength with ours and let’s see what we can do for the poor, for the uneducated, for the homeless, for women who are abused. There’s a joy that we can work together instead of

As one o f a large family, most o f whom have been involved in building, Father Beiting loves to become involved in construction projects.

fighting each other. But it took a long time and a lot of suffering. If I had to say what value I’ve been to the area, I think promoting ecumenism would be on top of my list. More than all the physical things and all the money we’ve spent, we’ve changed, in many ways, the attitude of the religious people. We’ve motivated a lot of people of other faiths, as well as people of our own faith. MS: Jerry O ’Daniel will be your successor as Chairman o f the Board. You’ve got nine people on the board now, and there are probably good arguments for putting each in that leadership position. What character istics does Jerry have to suit him to chair the board? Fr. B: To be accurate I didn’t really have anything to do with his selection. I went out of the room after my resignation and Jerry came out after an hour and said, “I’ve been selected, but I won’t accept it unless you feel comfortable with it.” We’ve always had good boards, but this one is the best. They have a lot

of good talent, but when he said he was the one, I was very pleased. In his time with CAP he has been a very hard-working committee person. He has traveled, met people, taken the time. He’s been anxious to learn, to be involved. His back ground with IBM let him work with a lot of people. Religion is impor tant to him; God is important, fundamental. That is so essential to a leader in the Christian Appala chian Project. He’s willing to listen and to learn. He’s demonstrated those things in board meetings, and all of that made me feel very, very positive. And I have the opportunity to help him play a more vital role, something I wouldn’t be able to do if this change had come out of a quick situation, where I wasn’t there and wasn’t able to be of help. I think in this time of transition, there are a lot of unanswered questions. I have a lot of unanswered questions. But it’s a time of growth, and that’s always a time of anxiety, so I think we need to have deeper faith. We have to remember we really are the

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answer that God has given to this time and place, to heal the hurts and bind up the wounds. We have to have the humility to know that we don’t have all the answers, and we don’t know how the story will finally be told. That’s God’s work. I say to myself “God please help me put my head on straight, so I know which way I should be facing.” With that sense of humility, you’re going to have faith. If you have faith, deep down, you have hope, and that means you have peace. You know that in God’s wondrous plan, things will work out. It doesn’t make any difference if the road is crooked or the road is straight — it’s going to work out. I hope that everybody in the process will have the humility to say “I don’t know everything that is happening, I don’t know where the future is going to be, but we know that if we are faithful to God, to say, ‘you have the power to do it well,’ out of that deep faith that God loves us and will care for us, we have hope. And from that hope comes peace.

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Mike Sanders T he In the summer of 1983 Mike Sanders sold his auto service center in Prestonsburg, Ky., and planned to take the summer off to enjoy nearby Dewey Lake before returning to work running heavy equipment for a local coal mining company. “But Father Beiting thought that was too much idle time for one person to have,” Mike said. Father Ralph Beiting, founder of the Christian Appalachian Project, had been assigned as pastor of the two Catholic churches in Floyd County and had started to make inquiries in the county as to the type of help that he could provide. Mike’s wife, Jackie, was a member of Father Beiting’s parish; Mike met Father Beiting when his service center worked on the cars Father Beiting used as he began the work of the Christian Appalachian Project in the region. Mike donated his labor, charging Father Beiting only the cost of parts. “I got interested in what they were doing, and we developed a friendship,” Mike said. “[Father Beiting] was taking a lot of people out on the houseboat on Dewey Lake, so he asked me to go with him. He already knew what he had in mind — he wanted to know if I could operate the houseboat. So I went with him the first two trips. He felt pretty comfortable and taught me to drive the houseboat, and he thought I’d done a pretty good job.”

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The third week, when Mike said he could go along, Father Beiting said, “I don’t need you to go with me; I need you to take them out. I’ve got to go somewhere.” Mike’s willingness gave Father Beiting the opportunity to get involved with many other activities he was moving into the area. “I really enjoyed doing it,” Mike said, “and it gave me the opportunity to meet the volunteers and do other things for CAP, too.” At the end of the summer, Mike was preparing to return to work in surface mining when Father Beiting asked him if he wanted a job. “I think he talked to the board and management and came up with a job, so I was the first employee hired in that far eastern part of

Kentucky.” As its first employee in the region, Mike was the director and later vice president of operations in the area. The job with CAP was one of a long line of jobs and business ventures that moved Mike and his family in and out of Kentucky on a regular basis. In the first 13 years that Mike and Jackie were married, they moved 13 times, Mike says. Jackie grew up in a military family, so was used to a lot of moving, “But she saw it as a challenge — we both did. I guess I was struggling, and didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but at the same time, Christ was pushing me to do different things so I would have a broader view in the position where I wound up.” That position is president of Christian Appalachian Project, a position he has held since 1996. “I think Christ really does have a plan for us,” Mike said. “I grew up living around poverty in a small town that is typical of the area we serve. I learned many different skills from the many people that have been involved in my life. Those people spent their lives in service to others. The most impor tant thing was to be able to do something for someone else. You remember Rose Watrell that I’ve talked about in prayer. She would serve anyone in the neighborhood. She never married or had children of her own, but we all looked at her a second mom.” Mike remembered DeWitt

Furrow; Bobby and Carl, friends of his parents; and other people who had influenced his life in Majestic, the small coal town he describes as “one of the greatest places in the world to grow up. I sort of felt like Huck Finn growing up. We’d make boats out of the tops of cars, and ride them down the river — crazy things we’d never want our kids to do,” he said. “We had more fun as kids. No matter where you were, your mother knew where you were because every neighbor knew every kid and they’d get on the phone and call each other, so we couldn’t tell a lie about where we were. “I think back on that childhood, in that coal camp; you saw a lot of poverty, pretty much everybody grew up in it at one time or another. Everybody went through tough times.” Working through tough times is just one of the many lessons that Mike learned from his father, a retired miner who “never missed more than two shifts of work in his life, and he had to drive across two huge mountains, and he’d do it in a two-wheel drive car in the snow.” Some of Mike’s fondest memo ries are the close family times he spent with his mother, father and sister, as well as other families in Majestic. “No matter what people have or how much they have, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s the love they have. I felt like the richest kid in the world because our family was so close. Parents couldn’t do enough to show love for their kids; that’s something very special about people who live in Appalachia.” In the absence of things, families showed their love by spending time together, Mike said, recalling the games of baseball, horseshoes, badminton, many played with makeshift rather than store-bought equipment. Mike recalls making a boat with his father and uncle, fishing with his father, constructing a bam with his

grandfather, all memo ries he says mean more to him than any material gift ever could have received. He has shared those important family times with his children, Michael, Melissa and Kelli, as they share a hobby of restoring old cars. “My one goal in life would be to have my children think one half as much of me as I do my parents,” Mike said. “[Michael] told Jackie a year or so ago that he’ll never, as long as he Mike volunteered during Habitat For Humanity’s lives, forget the time we “Hammerin ’ In The Hills ’’project just miles from spent, the nights and the where he spent his boyhood. weekends and vacation time, doubt in my mind that I didn’t get restoring those cars. And it wasn’t into those places because of my just the car that we finished; it was knowledge or my skill, but God has the time we spent together doing it. taken me and led me into each one I don’t think there’s anything more of those, and I want to give credit to Him for anything that I’ve accom valuable that you can give, and I think that’s what we do with CAP,” plished.” Mike said. Mike says that meeting Father “We don’t give people things, we Beiting was one of the greatest things that ever happened to him. give people time, we give people help. All of our program people go “He is the ultimate servant. Any into the home and show people how time I talked to Father Beiting when we care about them by spending he first came to the community, he time with them. When we go out on wanted to know if I could wave a a home repair job or build a house, wand, what would I would do for it’s the time that we spend that this area,” Mike said. “I was so means more to the people we’re surprised, at first I really didn’t helping than the house itself does.” know how to answer. I hadn’t taken Learning of the importance of a look at what the needs were. I’d time is just one of the many lessons lived and worked in Texas, moved that have come together to enable to Ohio I don’t know how many Mike to lead the Christian Appala times, then back to Kentucky.” chian Project. He says. “I think of So Mike is home now, home to all the years I worked in heavy stay, it seems and while it’s been a equipment, in business for myself, lot more work than just waving a in landscaping. Working in manu wand, he’s making substantial facturing gave me a good outlook changes in his home. As a boy, Mike wanted to be a on people. Everything has helped race car driver and never dreamed me to put myself in another set of shoes, rather than get disgusted or that he would ever work in services. But he firmly believes that all of the get mad. Try to look at people from their viewpoint, and it really helps if experiences he’s had and the people who have influenced his life have you’ve been there, and I’ve been in been Christ’s way of preparing him most of all those places. It’s helped me to have been in many different to model the lives of all the servants he’s ever known. pairs of shoes. And there’s not a

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TreeThat "province Sustaining iCife To CCH'p %

| he Christian Appalachian Project has been at the center of my life for many years. I’m proud of CAP’s accomplishments, and dream of leaving as a legacy the work that has been started and supported by the large family of CAP workers and donors. I pray that our hard work and sacrifice will continue long after we are gone from this life. I, as well as you, I’m sure, want the people of Appalachia to keep striving for and reaching for solutions to the problems of poverty. And they must have the resources to achieve these goals. The CAP general endowment fund will ensure that CAP’s work continues into the next millennium. In 1998 we unveiled an Endowment Tree in the foyer of Crab Orchard Street office in Lancaster, Ky. Each leaf of the tree is engraved with the name of a Christian Appalachian Project donor who has contributed a major gift to the endowment fund. When your name is inscribed on a leaf on CAP’s Endowment Tree, you will be honored for your generosity, that will endure forever. We will send you an exact replica of the engraved leaf for display in your home. All of us involved in the work here know of the problems that the people of Appalachia face every day. Families live in inadequate housing. Mothers and fathers frequently have a hard time finding jobs, and so often, they haven’t been employed for years. Regular gifts from CAP donors are vital to combat these problems and we depend on them for our day-to-day work. But, by mean of the endowment, we are asking friends to make an extra gift, one that will guarantee that the work of CAP will continue for many years to come. Now that the six-foot tree has been erected, I hope and pray that you will help “leaf out” this Endowment Tree. I have dedicated my life to the work here in Appalachia. Many people have supported that work with donations and with prayers. Now I need your special gifts to preserve CAP’s programs for future generations. Help me now to make sure the endowment fund contains the resources needed to carry on the work we have started. On behalf of those we haven’t reached and those yet to come, I ask that you consider a gift to the future with a generous gift to the Endowment Fund Tree. May God bless you,

¿ J . □ Please send me more information about the CAP Endowment Fund N A M E ____________________________________________________________________ A D D R ESS_________________________________________________________________ CITY_______________________________________ STATE____________________ ZIP. Please return in the envelope in the center o f the magazine.

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Father Ralph Beiting was assigned to work in the Appalachian area by Bishop William Malloy in October of 1950. In 1958 Father Beiting began a summer camp named Cliffview Lodge in order to become better acquainted with the people of the Appalachian area and their needs. Although the Christian Appalachian Project was named in 1962, it was incorporated in 1964. In 1974 the Christian Appalachian Project opened its first child development center. In 1981 Father Beiting was assigned to a parish in far Eastern Kentucky, which gave CAP the opportunity to broaden its service area. In 1999 CAP received services from the largest group of volunteers in its history.

Shaded area indicates the boundaries of the Appalachia region