Appalachia Service Project
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What is the Appalachia Service Project?
The Appalachia Service Project is an organization headquartered in Tennessee that addresses the housing needs of Central Appalachia. Facilitated by an ASP administrative staff, our SS Simon and Jude volunteers give of their time, resources, and talents. Projects range from repairing foundations to roofing a house and everything in between. Most volunteers are unskilled or semi-skilled, yet the work done is incredible. The volunteers to ASP come from many areas of the country, walks of life, professions, and Christian denominations; yet the common theme of service binds volunteers into a family. Volunteers give freely of their time so that they might complete “miracles” of home repair and live out the Gospel.
SS. Simon and Jude parish in West Chester, PA has volunteers every summer helping low income families in Central Appalachia who are in need of home repairs. Our volunteers focus on making houses warmer, safer and drier for people caught in economic distress and unable to complete these repairs themselves. In many areas of Appalachia over 20% of families live below the poverty level. Median income is approximately $25,000 per year.
The mission:- Is Christian based (prayer, singing, activities)
- Costs us approximately $600 per person
- We need two adults with every five teens
- Adults drive teams in rented vans
- We sleep on air mattresses / cots in a local school or church set up by ASP
- Cafeteria food is provided and cooked for us by ASP
- All repair supplies are provided to us by ASP
We:
Follow all Rules and Regulations set up by ASP and SSJ
Build relationships with those we serve
Adults must:- be licensed, have a good driving record, and be able to drive a large van for several hours at a time
- be approved through a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
- obtain a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- attend the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training
- be at least 25 years old
Teens must:- have completed 9th grade and be at least 14 years old
Typical home repairs that we take care of:- Repair / replace roofs
- Install dry wall
- Repair / replace floors
- Make minor plumbing repairs
- Strengthen foundations
- Add new siding
- Paint
- Build decks and ramps
Daily chores that we are responsible for at the school / church where we stay:- Mop floors
- Clean toilets
- Serve food
- Clean up after meals
- Clean showers
- Load / unload supplies
For more information:
Email the Saints Simon and Jude Rectory at asp@simonandjude.org