The Mountain Spirit - Nov./Dec. 1999

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1999

The Magazine of the Christian Appalachian Project

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Providin For The Children Bigger Than A Breadbox

CAP Outreach

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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 NOVEMBER

- DEDEMBER

1999

VOL.

XVIII,

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Bigger Than / 1 A Breadbox by Sandy Spaulding

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Book Review

[ T T by Ike Adams

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Providing For The Children

Bigger Than A Breadbox, page 4

by Beth Dotson

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Welfare: A System in Transition by Margaret Gabriel

O / \ Setting Goals, " ' Making Changes by Margaret Gabriel

CAP Outreach, page 24 Providing For The Children, page 18 Published by the Christian Appalachian Project

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R andom T houghts Letters to the Editor Around the Project The CAP C loseup

E d ito r M a rg a r e t G a b rie l G r a p h ic D e s ig n K a r e n F r a n c e s S p iv e y C ir c u la tio n L in d a G r id e r E a s t A d v is o r y B o a r d : F a th e r R a lp h W. B e itin g , M ik e S an d ers, B ill Begley, B eck y K an a

On the cover, June Widman, assistant director of the Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition 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.

In 1997 the Christian Appalachian Project hosted a symposium to discuss the effects of welfare reform in the fields of health, education, housing, economic development and family issues. In the year following, each issue of The Mountain Spirit addressed an element of life that would be changed by the reform. As a total package, 1998’s issues gave a wealth of information about reform and the work involved for program participants and Mike Sanders, CAP President service providers. Each state was asked to submit a proposal for implementation, a plan that would make reform successful for that area — therefore a plan that was sure to work in Wisconsin was not doomed to fail if those in Alabama tried to duplicate it. In Kentucky, officials in Frankfort conducted “town meetings” via videoconferencing throughout the state. The meetings ensured that the plan Kentucky submitted would be workable as well as fair. As the reform was beginning, CAP took action, adding to Kentucky’s circle of service a Christ-consciousness represented by the kind and steady presence in our programs. Now, a little over two years later, a pilot program that CAP began as a direct response to welfare reform is operating in four sites, and a second program — Job Retention — has grown out of JobStart. As is our custom, CAP has gone right to the heart of a situation, and devised a way of helping people to help themselves. Our JobStart and Job Retention programs give people an opportunity to train in areas that will enable them to join the work force, and — even more important — to learn skills that will make it possible for them to make a good wage, a living wage above the poverty level. This issue of The Mountain Spirit takes another look at welfare reform as we continue to help people in their efforts to attain self-sufficiency. Enjoy!

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; IN 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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recently heard someone comment that being poor is being different from being broke. Being broke, they ex­ plained, is a tempo­ rary condition, defined as not having any money. Being poor is a state of mind, and a heck of a lot harder to define. The Webster’s definition of poor, “a state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions,” comes nearer my definition of broke. It doesn’t talk about the soul or the human spirit. It would be tough to find someone CAP JobStart students learn skills and receive a healthy boost of good self who’s never been broke — surely even esteem as they prepare tojoin the workforce. Bill Gates had salad days as a college “We learn our way out of poverty and lousy jobs.” student. But poverty is much more than the lean days A new JobStart student might not believe that the first most of us have experienced. Poverty involves degra­ time she walks in the door — or even the second, third dation of the human spirit, and for all its wickedness, or fourth time. But by the end of ten weeks, she has poverty cannot degrade one’s spirit without permission been given the opportunity to gain new skills and a from the owner. As long as I can keep my spirit intact, feeling of self-worth that enables her to take the steps I can keep my hope high, and therefore the future can she needs to break the cycle of poverty. and will improve. If a person who is broke allows She has the tools to become broke rather than poor. degradation, that person will be poor. When she keeps If, for some perverse reason, you set out to make sure the degradation of poverty at bay, she’ll merely be that someone stayed poor, the best way to do that would broke. be to keep giving him the things that are needed for People who are broke will not have a difficult time survival, but never let him (or her!) figure out how to with welfare reform. Those who will have a difficult become self-sufficient. To make certain that poverty time are people who are poor. In fact, even before the great reform, welfare worked remains constant, take away what little support you give if the person strikes out on her own. for people who were broke but not poor. A while back Now imagine how much confidence it would take to I was talking to a friend, a CAP employee, who years begin to make those initial, halting steps to selfago moved from welfare to a part-time, low-paying sufficiency in that situation. A person who is broke is temporary job. For a good number of years my friend was broke, but “I wasn’t raised in a family that lived on probably going to have the self-esteem it takes to make that breakthrough, but a person who is poor? Poor public assistance. My mother and father had 13 people are hardly ever confident people. children and I don’t remember food stamps ever being Those who are poor need the most help, and not just in our house. What I can remember is big, huge with the basics of food, clothing and shelter. Anyone gardens that we all worked . . . .We’ve always been a with a big enough wallet can make sure that people working class family. The thought of drawing welfare have food, clothing and shelter, but they’ll still be poor. didn’t set well with me.” At CAP, we like to say that we’re not a give-away A hard-nosed attitude like that would keep anyone program. That’s true, but only in the sense of material from being poor. things. What we give — and we give in abundance — is CAP’s JobStart and outreach programs work at the opportunity for people to learn their way out of going to heart of the problem and first helping people poverty. who are poor to become merely broke. In fact, one of the first things you see as you walk into the JobStart Margaret Gabriel is the editor o f The Mountain Spirit. classroom in Rockcastle County is a sign that says,

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The call came during class. “JobStart! Good morning! This is Sandy Spaulding.” The women were learning about production quotas by wrapping wires to a timer. “Job openings.” I picked up a pencil. “Entry level. . . First pick — we are? By noon today, I understand. I can drive them up. When would . . . ? Monday, five dollars, fifty cents . . . full benefits. Yes, thanks!” Excited, I put the phone back and

turned around. Their faces had changed. Suddenly it was silent. Some looked away. One shifted in her chair, folding her arms tight. Another began poking holes in her empty Styrofoam coffee cup. “The plant is hiring! They want you there by noon to . . .” Mine was the only smile in the room. Quiet loomed. After a noticeable sigh, I poured coffee and hunkered down for the emotional weather front moving in. Class was a good time. We were

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close. They worked hard as a team to be ready to go to work. After ten weeks, they were seven skilled and conscientious women I’d hire myself! They were certain of two things. First, you learn your way out of poverty. Second, God is here, and He knows more about this than we do. A widow with four grown kids, I’d retired after thirty years as a family counselor. When the last wedding dress was paid off, I was 57.1 skipped retirement and came

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to the Christian Appalachian Project to volunteer. There from its first day, I watched JobStart, CAP’s response to welfare reform, invent itself and come alive in an old storeroom off CAP’s Berea Attic. The women who came taught us how to make it work. Every day they went home worth more on the job market than when they walked in that morning. But here in Owsley County, where children live at one of the lowest poverty levels in the country, the jobs were few. JobStart classes are held in public housing. Mothers pull folding chairs around a kitchen table. A used coffee pot perks on the counter. We passed communion, a package of 49-cent powdered doughnuts. THIS is the cutting edge of the Church. CAP is where you find the trench Christian, those who are restless in a pew. His Sunday best is a clean sweatshirt, and his leastfaded jeans. Her shoes have traces of mud. We who serve are from far­ away hometowns and unlikely lives. We are summoned. We show up. The mothers had grown like watered vines in the cheerful kitchen classroom with their kin and neighbors. They were ready for this rare chance for steady work, close by, with full benefits. Business had heard that our program delivered folks they could count on. How had the phone call made this quiet den of distant pain? God calling! Class: Do you read me? Jobs with your names on them! Bless the plant for their excellent judgment. Grab your stuff. Like all working women, we’ll do lunch! Nobody moved. This quiet had pain in it. They would not look at me. “What part of ‘You’re-hiredstart-Monday’ don’t you guys understand?” I said. “Okay, you want me to work for my coffee? Decoder ring on: Person, place or thing? How many syllables? Is it bigger than a breadbox?” One by one, each had a reason

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she couldn’t go today. Or tomorrow. And certainly, none could be there Monday. “And the point IS?” I insisted. Nothing. “To be honest,” Linda began, distracting herself with table crumbs. “Honest works,” I said. “I’d be scared,” she admitted. “Yeah, scared the plant pop machine could go out and you’d wither and die before 3:00,” chuckled Judy Dillingham (center) has been a JobStart teacher Jolene. since itsfirst days as a pilot program. Today, she “It’d be my fault. It’d coordinates Job Retention. be me that messed up, I’m confused. All I see is excellent broke down the whole plant.” work. On time. Good attendance, “Says here on your intake you’re attitude . . . ” a mother, not a terrorist,” I smiled. “I’ve heard a boss will yell bad “It wouldn’t be on purpose. It’s words when you’re just tryin’ your that I’m clumsy, dim-witted. best,” Linda said. “Sometimes they Dumb.” say nasty guy things.” I let that pass for now and asked, “So what ‘they’ say is evidence “so the worst thing you could do unintentionally, on that job is . . . ?” you’re stupid and can’t learn.” Heads nodded and voices began “She said it,” Jolene answered to clamor, some with personal for her. “Make some huge mistake, experiences, others admitting “I’ve and break something, and mess up heard tell . . . ” everything. Her fault, she’s toast.” “Life is messy. Clean it up,” I “And that would mean?” I asked. shmgged. “Take care of it. Care. “I’m too stupid to go out of the Joke. Focus. Process. Plan. Priori­ house!” Linda’s eyes got big. tize by consequences. Gather stuff “All our lives they tell us people on that’ll work. Get input. Tell the welfare are dumb, slow, lazy — so tmth. Enjoy help. Be the first and why go to work at all? We’re just last to leave the repair effort. Not a gonna mess up, get dumped on and crisis. A cmmb. Two things matter quit,” Jolene replied, agitated. “Or to God. The quality of your loving, get laid off or fired!” and what did you leam from your “Can we have a smoke break?” mistakes.” asked Bev, preferring to avoid the Linda sighed. “The pain’s the whole issue. punishment from God.” “A mistake means you’re stupid? “Pain is a plea for change,” I Is that true?” I asked. insisted. “Wrestle with it until it “It means stay away from stuff yields its gift.” you weren’t meant to mess with.” “You got your work cut out for “Women is not smart like men. you,” Jolene said. Cannot learn big important stuff.” “What do you mean YOU, Good “Can’t learn? Excuse me?” I Buddy?” I kidded. “It’s US in THIS said. Have you checked the boat. We’re ALL gonna figure it out evidence? You aren’t bom thinking — it’s one beggar telling the other that way. You have to be taught where the food is!” you’re stupid by people you trust.

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“That’s what we like about you. Y’don’t act like you’re better ’n us,” Jolene said. Lois had added nothing until now. “It’s safe here,” she said quietly. Another View It was noon. We’d come a long way, but not as far as the plant office. I felt like I’d let them down. I’d been a therapist for thirty years, and what did I have to show for two hours of working to level a molehill of resistance? I used to be good . . . I called the personnel manager. “Some people just don’t want to work,” he said. “Lazy. Lot of them are slow, y’know.” “Look, these woman want to work,” I shot back. “They wouldn’t have come to Job Start every day at 8:00 on time for three months if they were lazy and not interested.” I felt my color start to rise. “You think they gave up their pop, shops, and soaps for educa­ tion? Welfare reform makes ’em come to keep their checks cornin’. It’s the way women are, on the dole. Look, let me give you some advice. “I was a line supervisor at this plant a lot of years. Even if you got ’em here and I put ’em out there on

Sandy Spaulding

the line with benefits galore, half of breath and closed my eyes. “Mon­ ’em will be gone the first month. day?” They get their feelings hurt or their “Seven a.m., ready to do the muscles strained or their butt dance. Nice talkin’ to you.” pinched . . . You try to tell em Nice had little to do with it. what’s best, what they gotta do and That afternoon I was sorting they’re crying or cranky. Just materials. I can pray and file at the between you and me, a lot need their hair washed and better manners.” I was speechless, hardly believing what I was hearing. “I never understand why they cry like they do. And then just walk out. It’s nice here. We just got linoleum in the bathroom, begonias out by our sign. French vanilla creamer. We’re thinkin’ of our women.” It was difficult to get past that, but when I began to really listen I realized that he, too, was frustrated by limitations. He talked about the private frustration of working at something he wasn’t trained to do, but his brother-in-law got him the job. Said it didn’t set well, his sister married to a shade tree mechanic. JobStart provides computer training, a skill essential to “But that’s not steady. many jobs today. This is. Benefits. I’ve always wanted my own garage . . . ” same time. List of favorite short Maybe I should have gotten him stories for writing class — save it. to enroll in JobStart. Computer coupon, expiration date “I’m the one makes contracts for 1995. Toss it. A paper entitled quotas happen,” he continued. “All “State of Kentucky: Corporal I know is if I don’t make ’em on punishment in the schools in time, at minimum wage, with Kentucky. 1960s, 70s, 80s.” The nobody over seven bucks an hour, last owner had used a crummy even if they’re here fifty years, all copier; the numbers were smudged, the work goes to Mexico. illegible. Toss it. “My manager’s a downright monster from hell when I can’t give The Picture Clears him what he wants when he wants it I couldn’t sleep that night. I — just like my dad. I need employ­ couldn’t believe how cranky that ees I can count on to be here and do plant boss experience made me. It the job. And I need them by was . . . what is it? The enemy has a Monday.” name. Corporal punishment! “I’m sure you do the best you Authority! And these women were can. So will we.” I took a deep kids in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s — God,

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In Jackson County, Job Start operates a classroom in the Jackson County Rehabilitation Industries building. born worth nothin’. Said he’d put us if bullying is the guy-talk they that’s it! out on the highway ’cept he go to know? Did anyone ever train them, Suddenly I was out of bed, jail for it. Said someday he’d tell the show them encouragement, making logging onto the Internet. judge what we was really like and it safer? Being kind works better. I learned that Kentucky has the we’d better be scared.” Smile power. They’re as scared as highest number of recorded “I got my hair pulled when I incidents of corporal punishment in the women are. asked questions in school. I loved to Good grief, they got their jobs schools in the country and only a learn, but . . . ” because they knew somebody, third of the actual cases get “We were a bother if we asked NOT because they knew why a reported. At school and at home, for help. Supposed to be seen and woman would cry at work, much abuse is an accepted practice. not heard........” less what to do about it. Were they Logging o ff. . . “My teacher didn’t like the way trained to lead and encourage The next morning, I was at we talk here. She was from some­ productive employees? Surely school early. I couldn’t focus on place else. She’d poke us with where there is mercy and encour­ my lesson plan, so I went outside pencil points if we talked like we agement, where mastery is cel­ with my coffee. The crisp morning always talk.” ebrated and we have sanctuary to air meant fall was coming. The “My dad says I’ll shame him, grow, we heal. trees blowing against the morning goin’ to work and showin’ how sky renewed me after a late night. slow I’d been bom. Make the Mistakes and Consequences “And the children grew up and family look bad,” Linda said. My students wandered out and lived happily ever after . . . ” Only “Oh, Linda you KNOW you and joined me in the fresh, morning air. they didn’t. They grew up and your baby get checks he wants to They settled around the old picnic showed up in the workforce and keep cornin’ into his pocket every table; I saw them differently this here in my kitchen classroom, month. Everybody knows he kept morning. I was in the presence of terrified of mistakes and any you home from class, saying you heroic women of integrity. Their powers-that-be. Trauma. Buried were crazy so he could draw a potential seemed like tight rose­ alive, but it’s in there, sapping check on a mentally sick child. You buds turned toward light. initiative, creativity, hope. think we all didn’t know? Shoot, “What happened when you were And what of their supervisors? everybody knew.” very small and made a huge How awful to feel powerless at a It was quiet again. Jolene held mistake?” I asked. job they can’t say out loud baffles Linda as she cried. “We got the belt, buck naked,” them most of the time. Why would I looked around the table. Angie said. No feeling in her voice. women cry at work? How could he “Where on earth did you find the “ . . . worth nothin’ and we were know how to motivate and inspire

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§ their kids, all wthey know.” “But it damages people. Look at the evidence. It cripples so they can’t work. Or say what they need, or forgive themselves. “Every day we stay home from our job, or don’t say what’s in our Germaine Felts, one of the first JohStart graduates. hearts, or what’s right and good, or angry or courage to come to a school again? passionate, they win. Every time we You have all been damaged: belts, stop ourselves from saying what we lethal words, branches, betrayed need or think or feel that’s true, or trust, fists, threats, indifference, but turn from doing what we know we you’re here. You show up. The can do to make things better, they boss at the plant shows up at his win. When we are unkind, cruel, work, and he’s been through that powerless, or quit, they win. damage, too.” What’s it gonna take, precious It was, indeed, bigger than a people?” breadbox. It was more the size of “You come with us every day. an elephant. We’ll be fine.” They tried to laugh. “Shame is its name, isn’t it?” “We’d go to work and stay there The gnawing ache of shame, and if you were there to make safe.” the unyielding fear of more. “What would I do if I came to “Shame harms,” I told them. “It your work frequently?” cripples. You need evidence? You “Make the supervisors not be feel fragile away from home. You hard on us when we make mistakes, mutter your needs like you were especially when we are first getting not entitled to a response.” use to it, doing our best, but And I realized that we who hold learning.” the lamp in their lives for a time “What else? If there was a GED must stay kind and steady, acting class on site would you show up? out of sound knowledge, studied Do you care about advancing? attention to what’s right and good Upgrade training, college classes, in every response. recognition, achievements? Say “And you,” I told them. “You what you need.” must call up durability, a muscle Insecurities bubbled to the you only get by using it. You must surface. see those over you as more like you “If you can’t get a babysitter so than not. You must remember who you can go to work . . . ” you are made of. Stay close to God: “Our cars break down; can’t goodness and mercy, wisdom and work if we can’t get there . . .” hope come easy there. Repotting “If you don’t go fast enough . . .” works, but even so, you cannot “When you got kids and they plant a pine tree in a flowerpot.” make you work overtime you never They wanted to cling to the see ’em for the whole week . . . ” familiar. “None of it is bad. It’s just “My man don’t want me to work. the way here. It’s how people raise

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I was late when he beat me and I got fired. . . ” “Some people can’t read. They lie to get the job, then mess up . . . ” I knew we’d won when Lois, a woman who taught herself to read because she had been labeled slow in kindergarten, said, “When a boss yells, I’ll go to JobStart in my thoughts. It will make me smile and I’ll be able to tell him ‘Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it.’ If he planned to fire me, I’d ask him to call you first. You’d help him put me in a job I could do well. My quotas will be good, they’ll give me a certificate of achievement and appreciation, and put one up in the break room. “That’s what will happen when I go to work. Sandy, I’ll be there Monday.” A Workable Plan Six months later, in July, 1999, CAP placed the first Retention Specialists in four Eastern Kentucky counties as model programs to confront the region’s 50 percent retention rate in the workplace. The specialists follow newly hired workers for a year while they are making that transition from entitle­ ment lifestyle to one that is selfsustaining, helping them, and their direct supervisors, with any training and performance problem either encounters. All teachers are JobStart teachers. While the damage is real, CAP can be a healing presence — programs that help replace fear of authority with new experiences, that appreciate intent in all performance, supporting resilience in the face of discomforts, kindness in the presence of frustra­ tion. Advancement beyond minimum wage, and learning for earning. Integrity as the source of self-esteem: We earn on our own with a little help from our friends. Sandy Spaulding is a former CAP volunteer, currently working as a JobStart teacher.

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L etters to the E d itor Articles on the development of small business and families are most interesting, and to tell the really true situation that exists. Mr. James A. Pauer Cleveland, Ohio

When I receive The Mountain Spirit, it is a time to sit and enjoy the informative piece of news. It is wonderful what CAP has accom­ plished, and what dreams you all have for the future. God bless you all and especially Father Beiting (you are only 75 years young). May the promise of hope remain with you always. All my prayers, Helen Phillips Ellington, Mo.

My dad is from Martin County, Kentucky, and I have loved spending summer vacations in the Appalachians as far back as I can remember. My heart is with these proud hard-working people who, through no fault of their own, were bom in one of poorest but most geographi­ cally beautiful places in the United States. I enjoy the photos and stories in The Mountain Spirit. May our dear Lord continue to bless Father Beiting and his staff as they strive to better the lives of people both financially and spiritu­ ally. God bless you all! You have my donation and continued prayers. ■Marcia L. Castro Toledo, Ohio I enjoy the Mountain Spirit very much. I am an 84 year-old widow on limited income, but feel I must do what I can to help a good cause. Agnes M. Ewald Syracuse, N. Y.

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I was raised in the Ozarks of Missouri. I did not know what running water was and never saw electricity until I was older. I well remember tough times and there was no help of any kind back then from no one. (This was before welfare or food stamps.) Your Mountain Spirit keeps me humble and aware of the need still of our people here at home. I firmly believe we should all help our own people first. Miss Thelma Harris Lebam, Wash. We bless the Lord for the opportunity to give through the Christmas basket program. We eagerly await each year for the names of the family members to shop for. Our home is small, so the gifts “decorate” our dining room till it’s time to take them to the post office. Several times we have received thank you notes from the families. It brought tears to our eyes. Ms. Joanne N. Thomas

I am 76 years of age, still living in the 105 year-old frame home where I was bom. My home is in a rural area and I can relate to the problems of the Appalachian people. Keep my magazine coming. It is the first thing I read when it arrives, and I love sharing it with neighbors. Edgar Crawford Macclenny, Fla. I enjoy reading The Mountain Spirit. It is great to read how the Christian Appalachian Project trains many people to help themselves to better lives. Hope you can keep up the good work you are doing. May all have God’s blessings. Mrs. Mark Pink Union Grove, Wise.

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Just makes my day when I get The Spirit, and read it from cover to cover. Mrs. Constance D. Tuttle Port Charlotte, Fla.

I always read The Mountain Spirit from cover to cover, and enjoy it. I wish I could help more, but have been a widow for over 26 years, and get by on a limited fixed income. However I am thankful for all of my blessings! God bless all of you in your continued work of helping others. Ruth N. Shea Gahanna, Ohio We appreciate getting The Mountain Spirit very much. It not only keeps us updated on CAP activities, but brings us close to the people who work there and espe­ cially to the Appalachian residents. We are very proud of all that has been and is being done! Mr. & Mrs. William E. Walton Minneapolis, Minn.

Thank you for The Mountain Spirit. It is so interesting and inspiring to read about people, friends in thought and prayers, and how they conduct their lives and what is happening in that part of our country. God bless you and our Mother Mary watch over you all. Mrs. C. R. Streb New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should not exceed 150 words in length, and we reserve the right to edit them for space. Address letters to: The Mountain Spirit Christian Appalachian Project 322 Crab Orchard Street Lancaster, KY 40446 or e-mail capinfo@cltrisapp. org

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Father Beiting Named Chair Emeritus by CAP Board than anything I want it to continue to grow. It has become, without doubt, the most caring and effective organization in Appalachia that enables people to help them­ selves and end their cycle of poverty. I care more about it than I do for myself. My love for CAP has not dimmed. But I if I truly love it, I must take steps now when I still have energy and some wisdom to step down and support the new leader­ ship that must come soon because o f my age. I will continue to support and strengthen you in a new way. “This is so like Father Beiting — selflessly giving to us the tool he so painstakingly loved and nurtured so that we can use it as our own to make new roads in fighting poverty in Appalachia. “Please join me in congratulating board member Jerry O’Daniel. He was named the new Chairman of the Board of CAP. As many of you Jerry O ’Daniel, Chair, CAP Board of Directors. Christian Appalachian Project employees recently received a memo from CAP President Mike Sanders, addressing the subject, “Around the Next Comer.” It read: “Yesterday at our annual board meeting, Father Beiting [CAP’s founder and chairman of the board] gave me a letter in which he said he was resigning as chairman of the board of CAP. The board immedi­ ately named him Chairman Emeri­ tus for life, which he accepted, and we are deeply grateful that he will continue to attend all board meetings, write books and make public and private appearances on behalf of CAP and its family of staff members and volunteers. “I would like to share with you a few of the thoughts from his letter to me: I have deeply loved the organiza­ tion to which I gave birth and 38 years o f love and devotion. More

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know, he is an engineering consult­ ant who lives in Lexington and has a long association with the University of Kentucky and IBM. We look forward to his inspired guidance.” Employees also received a letter from Father Beiting, which was addressed “Dear Member of My CAP Family.” He asked for prayer during this transitional time in his life and proclaimed his love, saying, “Remember always that I love you and that my love goes on forever.” The January issue of The Moun­ tain Spirit will feature an interview with Father Beiting which outlines his plans for the future, along with some reminiscences of his 50 years in Appalachia.

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How Can I Help CAP? Not long ago, the Christian Appalachian Project received an email from a supporter who asked about the availability of CAP volunteer opportunities for a family. We replied that because of housing limitations, different opportunities 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 those publica­ tions 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 through­ out the world.

CAP Hosts Third Annual Benefit Golf Tournament at Latrobe Country Club

What You Don't Know About Wills Can Hurt Your H e irs .. Find Out Why. ^ Request £ (J Your ! Free Copy. 'A* ,

Much of what you know about wills may be misinformation that has been floating around for years. If you think, for example, that wills are primarily for rich people, or elderly people, you may be the victim of a common misconception. The helpful booklet offered here will explain how your will can save your heirs from costly delays and confu­ sion. Send for your copy today. Clip and Mail

Christian Appalachian Project 322 Crab Orchard Street Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 Please send without obliga­ tion your booklet, “37 Things People ‘Know’ About Wills That Aren’t Really So.” Name Address _ City____

Left, CAP vice president Ben Prewitt recognizes Jan and Tom Nowalk for their assistance with CAP’s annual benefit golf tournament at Latrobe Country Club, Latrobe, Pa.

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Caseworkers to Help With Housing Applicants Under the director of housing assistant director Ken Stuber and housing specialist Donna Thrush, the Christian Appalachian Project is expanding its work helping low income families to improve living conditions. CAP has offered help with repair of substandard homes for many years, but construction of new homes has happened infre­ quently. “We’re going to be asking participants to help themselves both physically and financially to the best of their ability,” Donna recently told a group of outreach caseworkers, who will be the initial contacts for families wishing to participate in the housing program. “People in housing and outreach will have to work harder to do more,” Donna told the group of both employees and volunteers. “In the long run, the new program will do everybody more good. [Partici­ pants] will feel better because it isn’t pure charity.” Outreach workers will take referrals from CAP programs and others in the community for minor repair jobs, additions and new

because labor will be donated by construction. The caseworker in CAP, Donna said, “making [home consultation with the family will determine the need; if the need is for ownership] possible for families who couldn’t have done it before.” minor repair, they will assess the The groups will encourage each cost in cooperation with housing other to be successful, Donna said, program workers. Whenever possible, the family will work on the and warned caseworkers about a repair job along with the CAP crews “crabs in a bucket” mentality. “Sometimes people have a tendency and will be asked to repay the cost to pull each other down. Because if of materials. you get out, I might get out and it’s When the family requests a major scary out there. I’d rather stay in the addition, the process becomes bucket. It might not be great, but it’s “more complicated,” Donna said, as what I know.” they work on a 30-day budget Donna told the outreach workers review and meet with the family that sometimes families are afraid to review committee. Donna will help construct a better home on family the family to find a low-interest land because they run the risk of mortgage, as the outreach worker helps the family prepare by learning losing the family homestead. “We’ll show them how to have both, and the skills of home ownership. For some of the families, Donna told the something to pass on to the next generation.” outreach workers, the six family­ Donna emphasizes that partner­ readiness sessions will be review; ship is the most important element for others, they will be learning for of the new housing program: the first time about the responsibil­ partnership among the housing ity of home ownership. “The department, the outreach program, sessions will be group-driven,” and, most important, the families. Donna said of the classes. Families will be able to borrow relatively small amounts of money Is there

Housing specialist Donna Thrush addresses a group of CAP outreach caseworkers in a training session. Left, Wanda Penman, outreach administrative assistant.

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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 development 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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CONCERN Completes 21st Year Running CAP Bible School When Ann Marie Rivier began her ministry in the mountains of France, she walked the hills to spread the good news about Jesus and recruit children for her schools. In the summer of 1999, eight women from New Hampshire and Rhode Island did almost the same thing in eastern Kentucky — except they drove vans instead of walking and recruited children for Bible school, a program they have been running with the Christian Appala­ chian Project for 21 years. The Daughters of the Presenta­ tion of Mary, based in Manchester, N.H., follow in the footsteps of their foundress when they arrive in Kentucky each summer to spread the love of Jesus. The goal of their program, CONCERN, is to reach the children, and to give their volunteers the experience of living and working in Christian commu­ nity. The children enhance that community experience with the many gifts they give the volunteers to take home and share. “I feel enriched because of the experience of being here,” said Esther Reali of Cranston, R.I. She spent her second summer with CONCERN in Eastern Kentucky. After 46 years of marriage, Reali is a widow trying to find herself again. Her work with the Bible school has helped her see the riches that can exist among deprivation. “There is an inner spirit that is so alive in them,” Esther said. “I think they are blessed for it.” The group lived in the Inez volunteer house and hosted approxi­ mately 200 children in three weeks. Each year they go wherever CAP founder Father Beiting sends them. Sr. Lorraine Aucoin says the children help her grow in simplicity. She first participated in CONCERN

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for the experience of Christian community. That summer led her to live with the Daughters of the Presentation of Mary for two years; now she is a member of the order. Sr. Lorraine said that although nuns take a vow of poverty, they can deepen their knowledge about it from serving in Eastern Kentucky. She has learned about “A sense of true poverty . . . I think this gives us some more open doors to understand how to live this. It’s such a gift.” Four years of volunteer­ ing in Kentucky has taught Sr. Lorraine to be flexible, meaning able to work in “Kentucky time,” which isn’t as precise as what they Daughters of the Presentation of Mary conduct a yearly Bible School in at least one county served are used to. They also must by CAP. have faith that things will reasons that she has returned so work out even when all they need often is that she learns so much each isn’t obviously in place. year, like how to relate to people. The Bible school is far from The people of the region have also typical — the teachers are all taught Sr. Kelly the value of family clowns. Sr. Kelly Connors, who and people over things. has participated for six years, Sr. Sue remembers the early days explained the theme “Come to the she spent in Kentucky with CON­ Circus”suggests becoming a fool CERN. Today her work is primarily for Christ. Sr. Sue Bourret, who in administration and she says her co-founded CONCERN and first summer experiences “helped me introduced the circus theme, said develop into who I am today, Christian clowns demonstrate that without a doubt.” It has helped other everyone stumbles and falls, but members of the order, the seven can get up and try again. youngest of whom have all spent at Each volunteer dresses as a least one summer in Kentucky. clown and chooses a clown name, It’s rarely easy for volunteers to chosen based on a grace they convey the depth of the experience would like to receive and share to friends and family. Perhaps the with those around them during this strongest statement to those who experience, Sr. Kelly said. Thus, welcome them home is that once Peace, Gentle and Rejoice were again next summer, after serving 21 three of the eight teachers in 1999. years, this group will be back. Sr. Kelly believes one of the

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Sunshine Center to Celebrate Anniversary Becky Kana, manager of the Sunshine Child and Family Development Center, is looking for students and teachers that have been involved with the CAP program since its beginning in 1975. The program began under the direction of Peggy Wieck, and was later was guided by Marilyn Stefanski, who currently serves as founder Father Ralph Beiting’s assistant.

“We’d like to get the word out and have a big picnic this summer,” Becky said. If you are a former Sunshine Center student, family member or teacher, please contact Becky at Sunshine Center, 204 S. Campbell St., Lancaster, KY 40444, (606) 792-3323. The center in Lancaster is one of five operated by CAP. Others are located in Madison, Rockcastle, McCreary and Lawrence counties.

Rep. Fletcher Visits CAP Headquarters

During the Congressional summer recess on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher (R-Ky.) took an afternoon to visit and tour the facilities of the Christian Appalchian Project. Bill Begley, vice-president of development, was among a delega­ tion of staff from the organization recently in Washington, D.C. While there, the group participated in a Legislative Issues Conference of the National Federation of Non-Profits; Sue Sword, director of CAP’s National Direct Response, extended an invitation to Rep. Fletcher to visit the CAP facilities in Lancaster, which is located in his district. Rep. Fletcher learned of the service the organization provides within the region. Six of the sixteen counties of Fletcher’s district are Appalachian counties, including Garrard, the location of CAP headquarters. While visiting CAP headquarters, Fletcher had the opportunity to observe the activity of nearly eighty employees in

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WORKPLACE PAYROLL DEDUCTION If your employer offers donor designation as a w rite-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 deduc­ tion gifts, please give your pay­ roll officer CAP’s full address and send to the attention of:

Teresa McAnly-Campaign Coordinator

CAP’s mailroom, printshop, data entry receipts division and other Christian Appalachian Project administrative offices. 322 Crab Orchard Street Upon returning to Washington, Lancaster, KY40446 Fletcher remarked about the local non-profit: “After hearing of the many achievements and dedication of the Christian Appalachian Project, I thoroughly enjoyed touring this impressive facility. CAP provides hope and opportunity to thousands of those in need every year. I salute them for their hard work and many accomplish­ CAP employee Angie Creech greets U.S. Rep. Ernie ments.” Fletcher (R-Ky.)

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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, 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

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of 70. One-third 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 Ken­ tucky. “Other groups are doing well, too,” Mary says of CAP recruiting success. “There’s a renewed interest in spirituality, and that seems to be a big catalyst During the river preaching tour in the summer of 1999, for people coming to do volunteer alumnae from Ohio and Northern Kentucky gathered to visit and hear Father Betting preach. service work. AmeriCorps, too, is a of a friend has worked as a volunteer. good motivator.” “This all validates that CAP is real,” A combination of information Mary says. seems to merge to attract volunteers, “Every year as we increase our Mary says. Someone searching for a numbers, 700 people come as short­ volunteer opportunity might see a term volunteers and word gets out. CAP display at a college event, then These short-term experiences give learn that their grandmother has people an opportunity to see what made donations to CAP or a friend we’re about.”

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The CAP volunteer program needs summer | camp counselors, nurses and lifeguards to staff four camps in eastern Kentucky. We are seeking high-energy 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 Program 15

The subtitle of W-Hollow Kitchen Adventure says, “Cooking with Herbs and Hot Peppers.” That’s clue enough that perhaps the book you have in your hand that has a photograph of two maturing ladies harvesting bright red chilies from a vast herb garden might be just a tad different. Surely, when Cooking with Herbs & Hot Peppers you think about Appalachian cooking, hot peppers are not the first thing that come to mind; and when you think about Appalachian herbs, other than sage and black pepper, you generally think about medicinal potions instead of something you might serve for dinner. You open the cover and the very first paragraph tells you that Glennis Stuart Liles, who co­ authored the book, is Jesse Stuart’s sister. She and co-author, Helen Shultz, are pictured on the cover with hands full of hot peppers. But your skepticism returns and you Over 600 Recipes By think “A-ha, it’s the family connec­ tion that got this thing bound,” but you continue reading anyway. When you have finished reading the first eight pages (eight pages of explanation about why the book was written and what it contains) you already know several things you didn’t previously know about herbs and hot peppers and you’ve also come to realize that you hold in your hands a genuine labor of love. Your skepticism disappears like a bit of chaff in a strong wind First you wonder why on earth the Jesse Stuart and you already know that this is a work that Jesse himself would have Foundation, a philanthropic organization which found a way to publish even if he supports Appalachian creative writing endeavors in the hadn’t had a dime to back the cause himself. fiction and poetry genre, decided to publish a You discover that just about cookbook anyway. After all, doesn’t just about every everybody on W-Hollow had a homemakers’ association and church auxiliary in the hand, one way or another, in making this book happen. Hus­ mountains put together a nicely bound collection of bands, cousins, neighbors and recipes every year or so? It’s not like there are any brothers and sisters in the church long-lost secrets to cooking in the hills nor very many chipped in over the course of five years that Liles and Shultz put into traditional recipes that haven’t been shared time and growing the herbs and peppers, trying and testing the recipes and time again. patiently assembling the book. Or is it?

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Glen nin Stuart ¡'¿It s

<§\Jielen Shultz

A Book Review

by Ike Adams

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All the herbs and peppers used in their recipes are grown close to Jesse Stuart’s beloved homeplace on W-Hollow where Glennis and her husband Herbert (Whitey) Liles still reside. Many of the plants were started in a greenhouse owned by Helen’s husband, Orville Shultz, in nearby Lucasville, Ohio. Others are perennials that Glennis or Helen have tended for decades and some were directly seeded into their large herb garden. Anyone who has a mind to can grow any of the herbs and peppers used in these recipes in any backyard in the United States. Although there is no listing of all the herbs used in preparing the 600 or so recipes in the book, you figure that the authors must have about 40 varieties in their garden and about 18 basic herbs. There are, for example, subtle distinctions between the Italian and Greek varieties of oregano and parsley. There are at least half a dozen culinary varieties of basil where the difference in taste is so remarkable that they can hardly be called the same herb. But not to worry, most of this is explained in little notes throughout the book. The book does, however, identify the ten basic hot peppers used in order of pungency; some are so hot that the authors go to considerable length to persuade you that they are dangerous if not handled properly. Several recipes suggest that you sample them by dipping the tip of a toothpick into the dish and touching it to your tongue. And it is recom­ mended that you prepare the Bobbies Breath Hot Sauce “out­ doors, wearing heavy rubber gloves.” In other words, you reserve this sauce for folks who maintain that the hotter it is the better they like it and then you change their minds. Most of the recipes, though, are practical in both ingredients and utensils needed to prepare them and would please almost any palate. They include breads, sauces, appetizers, soups, stews, all sorts of

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meat and vegetable dishes, even desserts and numerous instructions for canning, drying and other preserving techniques. And so you find yourself thumbing through page after page, and there is something on almost every one that you wouldn’t have thought about on your own. You run across nearly a hundred little boxed notes and tips with informa­ tion and insight about first that herb and then that pepper and before you know it, you notice that you are reading a cookbook as if it were a long narrative. Then you realize that you’ve never before had that kind of experience with a collection of recipes. That’s what makes W-Hollow

Kitchen Adventure different from any other cookbook you’ve ever owned. You just can’t lay it down! While it certainly has a lot of obvious Appalachian influences, these are not traditional dishes, but the art form of two uniquely talented and adventurous Appala­ chian cooks. The book is an invitation for you to join the wonderful adventure that Glennis Stuart Liles and Helen Shultz have embarked upon for more than five years. You will be thrilled if you follow their instructions. To order a copy o f W-Hollow Kitchen Adventure write The Jesse Stuart Foundation, PO Box 391, Ashland, KY 41114, (606) 329-5232 or 5233.

This reviewer has tried more than 30 of the recipes in W-Hollow Kitchen Adventure and grows a wide variety of herbs and peppers himself. While he especially raves over the lamb dishes, he maintains that Kentucky Jalapeno Cornbread is the best new thing he has ever taken out of an oven.

^ e n tu tfc a c J l tt l wpeno ^orobread ( W-Hollow Kitchen Adventure, p. 187) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow corn meal 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg, well-beaten 1 cup milk 1/4 cup solid white shortening, melted 4 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated 1 4-oz. can mild green chilies, drained and 1 jalapeno, halved, seeded and minced 1/2 cup cooked whole kernel corn 1/2 cup chopped onion Sift together flour, meal, baking powder, suga'f'and salt. Combine egg, milk and melted shortening. Combine both mixtures and stir well. Stir in cheese, chilies, jalapeno, corn and onion. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, until brown.

I use a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a muffin/cupcake pan coated with an olive oil spray to keep bread from sticking. I fill the muffin cups just over halfway with the mixture and they rise in the oven to completely fill the cups. This bread is also wonderful served cold, but it rarely has a chance to get that way in my household. — Ike Adams

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Providing For The Children

Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition helps people provide quality child care By Beth Dotson

They are parents first and workers workers to be able to put all of their second. energies to the job, first they need to Anyone who has children under­ know their children are being well stands, especially parents with cared for. children under age six who aren’t yet In more than 20 Eastern Ken­ in school. tucky counties, families with these When welfare reform required problems have discovered they can parents receiving benefits to find turn to the Eastern Kentucky Child employment, one of the problems Care Coalition (EKCCC). “Our they faced was what to do with the mission has always been to increase children. Family members might be the quantity and quality of acces­ able to provide care, but if not, there sible, affordable, developmentally are few options. In rural areas, day appropriate child care,” said Joyce care centers are few. Even when they Pyles, executive director of exist, most are cost-prohibitive for EKCCC. In working to fulfill that someone entering the work force in a mission, the group has provided minimum wage job, or even for as referrals for parents to child care much as a dollar above minimum. For centers and homes. They also train

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child care providers and it serves as a link among providers, parents and financial resources that help families and caregivers serve the region’s children. EKCCC formed in 1989 when several groups working with families in Eastern Kentucky, including CAP, began talking about what to do about the lack of quality child care in the region. The groups shared their knowledge and resources, which came from state government programs and private foundations, to create a widereaching organization that could deal with the issue of child care. As EKCCC has grown, it has

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attracted former CAP volunteers and employees who have experience in child development to work for it. Director Joyce Pyles brings experi­ ence as a kindergarten teacher, child care provider and manager of one of CAP’S child development centers. Assistant director June Widman previously managed CAP’s child development and human services programs. Resource specialist Sandy Castle was head teacher at a CAP child development center. Kim DelRe, who EKCCC has contracted for one of its programs, managed another CAP child development center. EKCCC also regularly calls on current CAP employees to train child care providers. Working with families through CAP’s child development centers gave each of these women skills and personal experience that they now use to help families find quality child care and to aid child care providers in offering better services. EKCCC’s first contact with a provider is often when someone is thinking about beginning a family child care home or center. Many people think caring for kids simply means babysitting, but the state of Kentucky certifies homes and centers that meet regulations as businesses. “If someone wants to start a child care, we kind of walk them through it in terms of seeing the needs in their area,” Joyce said. They study the availability of child care and the rates people are already charging, then develop a business plan. Potential providers need someone to point out to them the business aspects of caring for children. “They forget about the liability insurance, the utilities, the cost of the facili­ ties,” Joyce said. Some begin by thinking they’ll bring in $1,900 a month but don’t figure in costs. There are state requirements they must meet, like getting a TB skin test, child-proofing the house (covering outlets and keeping medicines in cabinets, for example), having fire extinguishers and getting

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a physician’s statement that says they are physically able to care for children. Providers are also required to have 35 square feet of space for each child in their care. EKCCC offers a packet with information about these requirements and will walk through the home with a provider prior to state inspection as a pre-assessment. Joyce explained: “We walk through and look for what the state family child care certification would look for and we’ll tell them, ‘This looks great; they’ll like this. This is a wonderful idea. And did you know you have to cover your garbage cans? They’ll be

thought,” she said. “As in any business, it takes a good three years to really get beyond the breaking point of breaking even.” Some people don’t stay in the business because one of the reasons they began it was to find a way of staying home with their own young children while making a little bit of money. When the children go off to school, it sometimes seems more economical to find other employ­ ment. “It’s hard work because it’s lots of long hours, low pay and no benefits,” Joyce said. Margaret Jasper began working

Joyce Pyles, director of Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition. looking for that so make sure you have that.’ So we kind of piece it all together for them so that if they’ve had one of our resource people come through their home, then the next time they have a visit from a state person it’s a piece of cake.” It’s the people who don’t consider the business aspect who Joyce sees providing child care for only a short period of time. “They just thought they could make a little extra money keeping kids and they find out it’s not as much as they

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as a child care provider 14 years ago when she and her husband adopted a child. Margaret left her job at a bank and began her home business so she could be there with her son. Six years ago, she learned about EKCCC and the certification process that could make her family child care home eligible for state assistance. She went through the training and the inspection and now recommends working with EKCCC to others. “They’re always helpful,”

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Margaret said of EKCCC. With their assistance, she has received grants to buy materials for her business and has attended training classes. Family child care providers are required to attend six hours of training a year. Margaret recently attended an EKCCC-sponsored training about how to do math activities with young children. “We really like the hands-on because kids like it better,” she said. Margaret’s years of experience have taught her what kids like and need and she does her best to provide those things. She says she has helped children deal with sibling rivalry when babies are bom and also helps children work through divorce. Even though she now cares for six children, three of whom are in diapers, she loves her work. The best things about it is, “The joy of being with the kids and seeing them play and laugh. Of course, you referee a lot,” Margaret said. Through EKCCC Margaret participates in the government food program, which is similar to the free and reduced-price lunch program in schools. The program for family child care homes reimburses providers for the cost of meals they serve. Through EKCCC,

the state provides $60,000 a month to close to 150 child care homes. To receive the food subsidy, Margaret must create a menu for each week that meets specific nutritional requirements. She said that although it was complicated at first, EKCCC helped her leam what she needed to do and now it’s not a problem. In fact, she has enjoyed the food trainings in which she has learned about nutritious meals to feed to the children in her care. Through the food program and the Child Care June Widman, a native of California, first came Assistance Program that the to Kentucky as a CAP volunteer. state sponsors for lowincome workers, EKCCC provides themselves saying I’m self$12 million a year to child care employed,” Joyce said. providers. “We feel really good As with most professions, on­ about that because people don’t going training is also a need for look at child care as a business. child care providers. State certified They don’t look at child care homes centers and homes are required to as a self-employment opportunity; have 12 and six hours of training a they look at it as babysitting. And if year, respectively. Joyce remembers somebody has gone to this much that when she worked in child trouble and gone through the hoops development with CAP, the only of getting certified and keeps up places to receive that training were training, it’s a profession. It’s a in Lexington and Louisville. So one business. They can be real proud of of the needs EKCCC fulfills is to provide training in Eastern Ken­ tucky, sometimes on-site. Training topics vary from specific business skills to child development classes. The needs vary depending upon the education and experience of the providers. For example, a mother who has only a high school education, and might be moving off welfare herself, usually wants practical activities she can do with the children, such as arts and crafts and songs. She might also want to leam best discipline practices. Other providers are ready to move on to working for their child development credential. The training module EKCCC provides lasts 10 weeks. Throughout the “Margy, ” as her children call her, has afull complement of craft, large muscle training, participants are building a and cognitive activities.

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The child care center in Margaret Jasper’s home includes play and work areas and afully-equipped kitchen. portfolio of lesson plans, worksheets, brochures and other materials that they can use in their business. They are also required to have 480 hours of field experience (40 weeks of work) which ideally will help build their practical experience. In addition, in 1997 EKCCC began working with the state to help train mothers coming off welfare to work in the child care field. The program is called Achieving SelfSufficiency in Child Care through Education, Nurturing and Training (ASCENT). During its twelve weeks, women study how children learn and think, how to talk so kids will listen, the latest in brain development research, ageappropriate activities, CPR and first aid, and how to get and keep a job. ASCENT students spend time in class and doing field work. “They work with different age groups . . . that way they can figure out where

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their strengths are,” Joyce said. “This gives them a good opportunity to see their strengths in a good, supervised environment.” Student evaluations of the first class gave Joyce great satisfaction: “Every single one of them said ‘It helped me to be a better parent. It helped me to know that my children are real people.’ If they don’t get a job, we’ve at least helped eight families.” The first class began with 11 students. Eight graduated and all of them are working today, six in child care-related fields. Two of the graduates work as intake counselors for EKCCC. There is one intake counselor in each of EKCCC’s 28 counties; they help parents determine eligibility for government subsidized child care. EKCCC’s work also extends beyond individual child care providers to child care centers and businesses. June Widman has been working with industries to promote their involve­ ment in providing child care for their employees. In Laurel and

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Jackson counties, June has talked with businesses about what they should look for in someone to run a qualified day care and how to find that kind of person. Although the state provides financial aid for child care to working families through the Child Care Assistance Program on a sliding fee scale, Joyce sees that there are still more people who could use the help. “It’s still hard with people making low wages, especially if they don’t have insurance or if they’re getting insurance taken out of their check,” Joyce said. She emphasized that the idea is not to just hand out money, but to help people get on their feet. As an organization, EKCCC has been doing that with a lot of state funds. June Widman said EKCCC is beginning to publish a newsletter four times a year that will help providers identify private sources for grants that might help them buy equipment or otherwise enhance their businesses. Joyce said, “We started by helping build up child care. Now we want to help people stay in child care.”

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by Margaret Gabriel

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ifr S T ® 11 lN Since July 1996, the number o f Kentucky families on welfare has dropped from about 71,000 to 43,000.

Those who work in organi­ zations and programs that help low-income people are far less likely to applaud the drop in the number of people currently receiving welfare than are the government bureaus publiciz­ ing the numbers. According to the state of Kentucky, 28,000 families no longer receive welfare, and presumably, have joined the workforce — certainly, a commendable statistic. It is important, however, to realize that many of these families have not left poverty just because they’ve joined the work force. Many, undoubt­ edly, have secured jobs in occupations with the largest growth rate. In Kentucky that is cashier; the second largest is retail salesperson. “Working Hard, Earning Less: A Story of Job Growth in Kentucky” reports that 85 percent of these jobs pay less than a livable wage; 57 percent pay below half a livable wage. The collaborative report of the National Priorities Project and Jobs with Justice describes not only job growth, but presents a livable wage budget for families of four (two adults, two children) and three (one adult, two children). The livable wage budget is de­ scribed as the minimum income required to meet a

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While no one suggests that it is preferable for a man or woman to subsist on government support rather than employment, people who study this issue, and those who work in service programs, recognize the need to lend support to people who are actually becoming poorer after entering the job market. T

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family’s basic needs. It is a subsistence budget, the report states, about 33 percent less than the average family income. In Kentucky that livable wage is calculated at $29,749. These numbers infer that many of the 28,000 are now classified as “working poor;” that assumption is substanti­ ated by the studies by the National Governor’s Associa­ tion and Census Bureau that found that only 28.8 percent of former welfare recipients earn above the $14,500 poverty level for a family of four. While no one suggests that it is preferable for a man or woman to subsist on govern­ ment support rather than employment, people who study this issue, and those who work in service programs, recognize the need to lend support to people who are actually becoming poorer after entering the job market. In direct response to welfare reform, the Christian Appala­ chian Project established a job training program for people who are entering the job market for the first time, or re­ entering after a long period. Judy Dillingham, a CAP worker involved with JobStart since its first days as a pilot program in 1997, agrees that the percentage of welfare

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recipients working at sub­ poverty level wage is accurate. “Jobs here [in Rockcastle County] don’t pay much over minimum wage, and if people leave the county, they’re not making that much more.” Because so many of the jobs in the area served by JobStart pay a wage that is insufficient to raise a family of four above the poverty level, the training program also helps workers to devise strate­ gies that will help to them secure promotions and pay raises. “We try to stay in touch, and [former welfare recipients] get services from both JobStart and job retention,” Judy said. CAP’Sjob retention program grew out of JobStart as a way to enable people not only to enter the job market, but to stay. “You can’t help everybody,” Judy says, “but the few you do touch makes it all worthwhile.” Sister of Divine Providence Fran Moore is the director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Lexington, which serves the Appalachian region of Kentucky. CSS serves mostly the working poor, Sr. Fran says, a number that has been steadily growing over the last two years. “We’ve always worked with people who fall through the cracks, and more people are falling through the cracks now.” The transition program in place for families moving from welfare to work includes several elements that make work possible for many, including transportation and child care. Participation in the food stamp program is based on family size and income, and the amount a family may receive in food stamps in a month is also based on shelter cost. Shelter cost can be particularly difficult, Judy says, for a family who has been living in government housing, which is not included in

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the transition program. It is not unusual, she says, to see a family’s rent increase from $25 to $300 a month with entry into the job market. One of the most significant changes to the transition package is the recently established Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program. As of November 1, the program will provide health insurance to children in families up to 200 percent above the poverty level, according to Ann Joseph, executive director of the Kentucky Task Force on Hunger and a member of the Kentucky Welfare Reform Coalition. “This is significant because 50 percent of Kentucky’s families are at 200 percent of poverty,” Ann said. The application for the program has been designed as a simple two-page form that can be mailed to an office, significant because it no longer requires that time be taken from a job to sit in a government office. In devising a support package for people who are moving from welfare to work, Ann said, it is crucial to look at issues realistically, and to recognize that some issues are transitional, but others are not as

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long as people are working at jobs that pay below a livable wage. The programs will undoubtedly cost more than welfare, “but the long-range impact on society will be greater,” Ann says. “If we put money into health care, the money doesn’t go to the pockets of the recipients, but it’s an investment in the health care system. The same is true for child care. That money supports the community.” The ultimate success of welfare reform will be a shared effort of the entire community. Workers must continue to take advantage of the education, training and transition programs available. People who work in private agencies and government programs must be sensitive to the needs of the people they are serving, realizing that the changes they are making are difficult and often stressful. President Clinton has said that it is vital that the nation honor its commitment to welfare reform. It is equally vital that the reform be carried out with fairness and dignity to all involved. For more information about the effects of welfare reform, please see Margaret Gabriel’s 1998 series

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Story and photos by Margaret Gabriel Helping people recognize their dignity is often the first step to discovering the solutions to problems which hold many captive. Christian Appalachian Project outreach programs often take the lead in helping low-income people discover their dignity and begin to work themselves out of poverty.

Since its earliest days in Appala­ chia, CAP outreach programs have helped low income people work through the hardship of continually struggling to make ends meet. But the guiding principles of CAP’s mission statement oblige more than charity. “We’re looking at something deeper than that,” says human services assistant director Garry Vickers. “There’s nothing wrong with being a charity or doing that kind of work, but if that’s where you end, that’s all you are. Our mission statement says we are to impact things that keep people in poverty and despair. We look at ways to improve our programs that allow people to make significant changes in their conditions.” Peggy Hancock recently became an assistant director of human services, after serving as outreach manager in CAP’s Berea office for three years. During her years in outreach, Peggy says, she worked to establish in CAP’s outreach a balance of self-help opportunities and what she refers to as “coldwater ministry” like Christmas baskets and emergency home repair. “Until all our families are fixed and self-sufficient, there’s always going to be a need for that, but we also want to target families, where we can, that are looking to make changes in their lives,” Peggy says. Caseworkers Provide Encouragement, Support The changes encouraged by CAP outreach workers are as varied as the demographics of the fourteen counties they serve (Garrard, Rockcastle, southern Madison, Jackson, Owsley, Clay, McCreary, Magoffin, Floyd, Knott, Martin, Johnson and Lawrence counties, Ky. and Mingo County, W.Va.). For six years, Mary, a resident of Garrard County, has been living in the basement of her house with her three children. With the help of caseworker Marie Bonner, she is working to secure adequate heat before the coming winter. Johnna, a

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young wife and mother in Magoffin County and a newcomer to Appalachia, received support and friend­ ship from case­ worker Parthena Martin before she secured a job helping welfare recipients work on job skills. Bob and Shirley are trading rent pay­ ments to their landlord for repairs on a home whose Volunteer Jodi Blom and Carl, an outreach participant in directions include a McCreary County. trip down a creek participant’s specific needs. Garry bed in Floyd County. The couple’s is currently working on the devel­ income is a disability check that opment of “outcome logic mod­ Bob began receiving after losing a els,” for use in CAP human services leg to cancer. CAP is supplying the programs. These models will help needed materials; Bob is doing the participants, as well as the people work himself, despite his disability. who serve them, measure progress They first met CAP when they asked Sheila Patton, the caseworker based on input and activities. While concentrating on outcomes will be in Floyd County, for canning jars significant for all CAP human last summer. services programs, it is particularly As different as these outreach important for outreach, Garry says. participants are, they and many At the base of the pyramid are others have at least one thing in physiological needs — food, common: They are grateful for the clothing, shelter — that are often assistance they have received, and requested of outreach workers. “We willing to do whatever they can to have to meet that need, so they can help another person who needs help. Johnna, for example, helped progress up the pyramid,” Garry says. “The middle part of the Parthena with a school clothing pyramid is all about love and giveaway, while her husband belonging. Belonging is all about worked in CAP’s warehouse. Mary being a part of a community. The regularly spends time helping solution to a lot of plagues of Marie, and has done so for eleven society is making people feel they years. “I like helping people; I feel belong to something.” By helping like I’m a part of CAP,” Mary says. people feel like they belong in the That sense of belonging is an important element of CAP outreach. community in which they live, they will take ownership of their problems and begin to determine “Make a Triangle” Peggy Hancock says that when their own solutions. “CAP cannot solve all the she sees Garry Vickers, she greets problems,” Garry says, “but if we him by forming a triangle with her can help them start this process, thumbs and forefingers. Garry, then people will be more involved whose background is in counseling, with finding their own solutions, encourages program managers to which is in the CAP mission use Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs statement.” as a reference point to identify a

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CAP programs receive gifts and food. Peggy tells of a family in Jackson County who received seed for their garden from CAP a couple of years ago. They were able to not only grow the produce they needed, but sold vegetables at the local farmers’ market and bought school clothes for the year. “This year they hope to make enough money to buy a used station wagon,” Peggy say. “Yes, that was a giveaway, but look how it impacted their lives, and not even in the way we thought it would impact. We were just looking to supplement their food income.”

house. With children having to go to school, those families are at risk for problems in society.” Families deal with a variety of issues, Judy said, and for most of them poverty is a symptom of problems, not a cause. “We ask people where they would like to be, what they would like to do, and how they would like to come out of a situation. Lots of times it involves [the state of Kentucky’s] Cabinet for Families and Children, often because there is the potential that children will end up [in protec­ tive custody] if something is not done. “If the family makes us aware they’re in that situation then we’ll ask the agencies what it will take to get the family to be able to keep the children, or to get them back into the home.” If a situation involves helping a family to meet physical needs, CAP outreach is there to help. “Families At Risk” is a companion program to “Partners,” a program that was introduced to readers of The Mountain Spirit in 1997. Kelly was an early CAP partner, who came to outreach in need of glasses, so she could study for her GED, the high school equivalency diploma. With CAP’s help, she got the glasses — and the GED. In the spring of 1997, still with CAP’s help, Kelly was working out the logistics involved in attending Prestonsburg Community College. “With three children, that road

Immediate Needs, Long Range Plans Bob is making repairs on a home in a Judy Crum manages the outreach beautiful, but remote, area of Floyd County. program in CAP’s Hagerhill office Peggy says outreach programs in Johnson County, headquarters for that traditionally have fallen into her the caseworkers in Floyd, Magoffin, description of “cold-water minis­ Johnson, Lawrence and Martin try,” like Christmas basket distribu­ counties and Mingo County, W.Va. tion, school readiness and gardening Like the workers in the Berea help move people to the “belong­ office, Judy says the region needs ing” stage of the pyramid. For both crisis intervention and longexample, children who are ad­ range planning. equately dressed and prepared for People who come to Judy’s school with the proper supplies are caseworkers for emergency much more likely to feel like other assistance are enrolled in the students, therefore that they program they call “Families At “belong” to the student body. Risk,” which is designed not only to Before the current school year help with an immediate need, but to began, CAP outreach provided encourage families to make goals clothes and school supplies for over that will move them toward long­ 2000 students from low income term changes through education and job training. families, families whose children now will be better equipped for “We’re talking success in school, and perhaps for about the whole long-term change. family together, It is difficult for most people to and lots of times imagine the type of bleak, giftless we see breakdown Christmas that many families would in the structure of the family,” Judy experience were it not for CAP’s Christmas basket program. Children says. “There’s who go back to school after the abuse, there’s Christmas holidays and are not able neglect. It could be that there’s just to tell their classmates “what I got” not enough experience an isolation far more money to support. crushing than the lack of a new toy. CAP’s Christmas basket distribution Maybe they don’t helps to alleviate this isolation, as have electricity or A family selects school clothes during a “School Readiness ” water in the families who participate in other shopping day in Johnson County.

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won’t be easy,” said the story in The Mountain Spirit, “and some issues are not yet resolved. She’s trying to arrange financial aid to cover the $680 per semester tuition, and how she’ll get to and from classes remains to be answered. Good child care became another possible roadblock when her husband left her and the children right after the third child was born Today, Kelly is within a few months of having an associates’ degree in computer science, her youngest son recently began Head Start, and she is looking ahead to what will be available in the job market when she finishes school. “I’ll probably have to move, but if I can’t get a job, I’d like to continue on and get a bachelors’ degree. Right now I’m taking pre­ programming classes, and I’m hoping to get on with the new company that’s moving in to Pikeville,” Kelly said, who also participates in a work-study program at PCC. Kelly knew her goals wouldn’t be easily attained, and they haven’t been, but with CAP’s help those goals are in reach. Some of that help has been simple encourage­ ment and moral support, but along more concrete lines, Sheila Patton, Kelly’s current caseworker, helped her to get new tires for her car, so

In the Hagerhill region, Partner Families received clothing and school supplies for each student in thefamily, including adults. she has safe transportation for her family. In 1997, The Mountain Spirit reported that CAP had 17 Partner families. Today that number is 156. All are involved in education and job training programs. “We’ve got a lot of people that are training in services,” Judy says. “They may be giving us a shot next time we go to the health depart­ ment, who knows! But I think that we’ve done well with the people we have, and where they’re looking to go, from start to finish.” When a family becomes a CAP Partner, they enter into a contractual

In Garrard County, a group of outreach participants have formed a support group that meets once a month.

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agreement and agree to work on the goals that they have determined with the help of a CAP caseworker. In turn, CAP agrees to provide the emotional and physical support needed to reach those goals, as called for by CAP’s mission statement. “These people [both Families at Risk and Partner Families] come into our system and stay for any length of time,” says human services director Rose Price. “The big difference is that the Partners have a more specific plan.” In all counties, CAP outreach programs are expending more energy to help people with longrange problems, and less on one­ time help with utility bills. Volunteer Jodi Blom has served as the outreach caseworker in McCreary County since June, 1998. Unlike her early days in the program, she now rarely assists with such things as electric and water bills, “partly because I recognize that giving them money isn’t going to help them avoid that situation.” When people do request Jodi’s assistance paying a utility bill, people often volunteer their time to CAP in repayment. “I had five ladies help me with school readiness. They got the

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Outreach Workers Collaborate With Housing Workers Outreach workers are currently in training to become the contact people for CAP’s Carl s mother, Jesse, keeps bees outside their McCreary housing program, County home. which is expand­ ing beyond home repair. The packages ready for 190 kids, and expansion will bring changes for one of the ladies stamped and addressed all the letters.” outreach as they become more People in McCreary County, with involved with helping families to its high unemployment rate, will learn or brush up on the skills have a particularly difficult time needed for home ownership. moving into the workforce. Jodi Most of the requests that Jodi knows people who have secured receives for immediate help in McCreary County for housing, employment in nearby Burnside, Somerset and Oneida, Tenn., but either repair, minor or major as the fears that some folks have not been expanded program will provide. “Housing will be huge for out­ thinking ahead about the require­ reach,” Jodi says. ments of welfare reform which Most of Jodi’s requests thus far demand that a recipient work 25 have been for minor repairs, but hours a week in a community service or training program in order recently a lead person was hired for housing in the county, so she to receive benefits. In Magoffin County, Parthena, expects to be able to begin meeting too, is serving a county with few the needs for additions and new work opportunities. “I’ve got several construction. people who are going to be cut off [the welfare rolls], I’d say, in the winter. They don’t want to leave —you can’t make these people leave [Magoffin County], You have to drag them out screaming,” she says. Several of the counties that host CAP outreach programs are also locations of CAP JobStart, a program that provides training for people re-entering the workforce, or entering for the first time. JobStart students who are enrolled in the Kentucky Temporary Assistance Program (KTAP) count the work done in the training program toward the hours they must work to remain eligible for benefits.

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“I’m working on the family readiness component,” Jodi says. These are classes to teach people about the responsibilities of home ownership. Goals concerning job training, education, and housing all fit well into CAP’s outcomes logic model, made up of initial, intermediate and long-term outcomes. “One of our initial outcomes is to make participants more knowledge­ able,” says Garry. “They are strangers to education, to prosper­ ity, and we want to improve their base of knowledge without seeming to tell them ‘You’ve got to become one of us.’ “By taking new knowledge, they can use it to prepare to take action and make the changes that are necessary. That leads to a plan of action rather than re-action and a change of attitude. Despair begins to be replaced by hope and people move from initial outcomes to intermediate outcomes,” Garry says. “We find that people who think differently act differently, and we can provide them with support and encouragement.” CAP outreach workers like to think of themselves as a hub, folks who can help people find their direction and the resources they need to meet their goals. “Our whole philosophy has moved in the direction of an equal plan,” says Rose. “‘Partner’ really does mean partner. The focus is not on what we think their problems are, but on what they want to work on.” Some people, like Kelly, the student in Floyd County who will receive her degree within the year, have been working toward their goals for a long time, and their hard work is paying off. All would probably voice Mary’s goal, as she works to move her family out of a basement in Garrard County. “The goal we set was just to get into a normal place to live, and live like normal people.”

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the old ladies she brought from Crab Orchard. When I went to work in The Attic, it was just like home. ”

Betty Saylor

First impressions are lasting impressions. For many people in Lincoln County, their first impres­ sion of the Christian Appalachian Project was a warm greeting from Betty Saylor as they entered The Attic, CAP’S used clothing store. After ten years at The Attic, Betty began to extend those warm greetings as the receptionist at CAP’s Crab Orchard Road offices

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in Lancaster, Ky. Answering the phone and greeting visitors at CAP’s busy headquarters is not a job for the faint-hearted, Betty admits. “You’d think, just to look at it, that it isn’t that hard, but it’s nervewracking, at times. When I first started, the phone didn’t ring anything like it does now,” Betty said of her first days on the job in

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1993. “Then, the busiest times were at Christmas and garden seed times, but now it’s constant — it doesn’t ever hush!” The variety of calls to CAP’s switchboard range from the usual calls one might expect at a busy service organization to the more unique. Calls from people needing help, or with questions about CAP services are routed to people in

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outreach or human services. Those interested in donating resources are directed to the development department; those who would like to make donations of time go to the volunteer department. More than once Betty has responded to a caller who is requesting to be put in touch with a resident of the region, either a child in need of a sponsor or an adult in need of a spouse. “You’d be surprised at the calls you get like that,” Betty said. Even before she began working for CAP, Betty became familiar with the organization as a regular shopper at The Attic in Berea, when it was managed by Doris Anglin, one of CAP’s first employees. From Doris, Betty learned of the opening for a manager of the store in Stanford, which is just a few miles from her home in Crab Orchard. “The girl that drove the Senior Citizens’ bus [in Stanford] was a good friend of mine, so I knew all the old ladies she brought from Crab Orchard. When I went to work in The Attic, it was just like home.” When Betty was managing The Attic in Stanford, CAP also operated a child development center, an outreach office and CAPRICE, the training program for adults with disabilities in the same general complex. “Everyone would come to The Attic, and I got to know all the families. It was like one big family; I really enjoyed it.” Betty briefly worked for CA­ PRICE before moving to the switchboard, and says that her experience with human services gave her the perspective needed to make a good administrative worker because she had a good idea of CAP’s day-to-day mission. As receptionist, Betty is frequently called on to describe that mission to callers and visitors. Or was called on, to be more accurate. On August 27, the “Voice of CAP” turned in her headset, and took an early retirement, planning to enjoy a little more time with her three children,

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five grandchildren, and a gentleman from Lee County, with whom she keeps company. “I’m going to work in my son’s grocery store in Crab Orchard. I’ll be a cashier, and he has a deli. I’ll work part-time — you know me, I can’t just sit down! “Then, I’ll be babysitting that little one, some. Her mother [Betty’s daughter] works the night shift. She’s the youngest one I’ve got; she’s four years old.” Betty’s house is always open to the four girls and one boy, who range in age from twenty-two to four. Her family accuses Betty of favoring the one boy, and she sheepishly admits that her grand­ daughters might be right. “They’re all real good to me.” Betty’s co-workers, or former co­ workers, were intrigued to learn that she owns a small piece of property in Deming, New Mexico. One of the items on her retirement agenda is to visit the town for the first time. “I might have something I didn’t even know I had. I’ve always kept it, and [my children] have always said they’d go with me.” When she’s not cooking and caring for her children and grand­ children, Betty enjoys antiques, mostly lamps and other small

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decorative pieces. Betty jokingly says that she’ll miss getting up every morning, but with the attention that she plans to heap on her family, it is obvious that service to family will remain a constant of Betty’s life. As its receptionist, Betty made people part of CAP’s family, treating everyone who approached her desk or rang her switchboard with dignity and respect. People unaware of the process involved with working with CAP as either an employee or a volunteer frequently presented themselves to Betty, asking to be put to work. “I’m just nice to everybody, and try to answer all their questions.” One recent morning, Betty was greeted by a woman who had traveled from some distance away with her house trailer, hoping to become a CAP volunteer. She asked Betty for a cup of coffee. Betty sensed that the woman had prob­ lems, but served her coffee, and treated her with the dignity and love she gives to the entire CAP family. After a few days, the woman moved on, but like others who met CAP through Betty, her first impression was one of warmth and hospitality.

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Lives of Comfort and Dignity A clean water supply — something most people take for granted — is a problem for many people in Eastern Kentucky. Awhile back, a family lost water after a series of mine blasts in Floyd County. The state determined that the blasting didn’t cause the family’s three wells to run dry, but they were dry nonetheless. The family has been involved with CAP’S Rejoice Respite, and from manager Russ Taylor they learned CAP outreach could help. James, 51, and Barbara, 47, live in a 2-bedroom unfurnished home near Wheel­ wright. James has multiple sclerosis and will more than likely be bedfast soon. He uses a wheelchair now and moves very slowly, otherwise. A local church set a 400 gallon water storage tank and the members have been hauling water to keep it sometimes less than half full, but winter is coming and snow would make it very difficult for the good Samaritans to get to the water tank. “We believed this situation would be best remedied by drilling another well on the other side of the property,” said outreach caseworker Sheilla Patton. “So thanks to the trust of our donors, James and Barbara now have a well that produces 60 gallons of water per hour.” Sheila reports that while James doesn’t say much, Barbara is ec­ static, She can wash dishes, bathe, bathe James, and mop without the worry that the tank may go empty. “We can pray for James and his healing and physical betterment and we can thank God we were able to ease some of the pressure and alle­ viate the problems of no water. Please pray for this little family,” she says. Your gift of $25, $40, $75 — more if you are able — to use where it is needed most will enable people like James and Barbara to live in com­ fort and dignity. N

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Since July 1998, the num­ ber of Kentucky families on welfare has dropped from about 71,000 to 43,000. Nationally, among the poorest 20 percent of female-headed households with children, income fell by an average of $580 per family between 1995 and 1997. Kentucky is third in a list of states with largest number of low-wage jobs. HI

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