Appalachia Service Project, Inc. (Johnson City)

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Contact: Karen Frederick
  Director of Volunteers
  4523 Bristol Highway
  Johnson City, TN 37601
  E-mail: karen.frederick@asphome.org
  Phone: 423.854.4434
  Fax: 423.854.9771
  Web site:  www.asphome.org

Locations: Opportunities are available in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. NOTE: All locations are scheduled by ASP National Offices via above information.

The Appalachian Service Project repairs homes for low-income families in central Appalachia with the vision that substandard housing in central Appalachia might be eradicated and everyone who who comes into contact with this ministry will be transformed.

Project/Focus: ASP is a relational ministry that builds and repairs homes for low-income families throughout central Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina).

Educational/Advocacy Components: Morning devotions and evening programs provided by staff.  Group leader resourced include Study Session with preparation skills and follow up www.asphome.org/LeaderResources. 

Time: Summer - application deadline November 1;  Fall, winter, and spring workweeks or weekends available for youth and adults; apply at least two months in advance.

Group Size:  70 maximum capacity.  Groups work in teams of seven persons.

Minimum Age:  14 years.  Youth programs for ages 14-18.  Adult/College program available.

Adult to Youth Ratio: 2:5

Accommodations:  Housing in schools, community buildings or churches on cots or sleeping bags.  ASP provides meals.  Each group is expected to bring a van for each work team.

Cost: Cost per volunteer per week is $325 for the summer program.  Cost for the year-round program is $65 per day.

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Faithful Advocates Serving Together (F.A.S.T.) (Tennessee)

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Contact:  Tonya Adams
  E-mail:  adamst@ucc.org
  Registration:  www.ucc.org/volunteer 
  Phone:  216.736.3216
  

F.A.S.T. is a mission trip opportunity jointly sponsored by the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

Project/Focus: Housing repairs in poverty area of Appalachia.

Educational/Advocacy Components: F.A.S.T. integrates a pre-trip process of Bible study and learning about the region with a weeklong economic justice reflection led by the summer hosts.  Groups are encouraged to return home to advocate for economic justice in Appalachia and in their own communities. 

Time:  Summer - June 9 - August 10 in one-week cycles from Sunday evening through Saturday morning.

Group Size: 24.  Smaller groups are encouraged and will be combined with other groups on-site.

Minimum Age: None. Children are encouraged to volunteer alongside their parents.  Special activities for engaging children can be arranged.

Accommodations: Volunteers housed on-site in barracks-style bunkhouse with bunk beds, separate kitchens, and bathhouse.  Groups prepare their own food.

Cost:  $295 per person per week.  $195 per child 11 and under per week.  A $50 non-refundable deposit per person is required.  Fee includes program, building materials, work supervision, housing, F.A.S.T. leader's guide, T-shirt, groceries and supplemental insurance.

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First Congregational UCC Freedom Journey (Memphis)

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Contact:  Julia Hicks, Director of Mission
  1000 South Cooper Street
  Memphis, TN 38104
  Email:  julia.hicks@firstcongo.com 
  Phone:  901.278.6786 ext. 3
  Fax:  901.725.8553

Freedom Journey offers youth groups and interested adults an opportunity to explore issues in peacemaking.

Project/Focus:  The city of Memphis serves as the setting to explore civil rights history, the legacy of the American Missionary Association and to see how individuals have used spiritual tools and resources to work towards peace.  Our journeys offer creative opportunities to express their experiences through the arts (dance and visual arts) with our professional staff!  Groups may choose to schedule this into their journey at no extra cost.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Groups tour museum sites - the National Civil Rights Museum (constructed where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated), slave haven (a stopping point on the underground railroad), the WC Handy Museum on Beale Street and Auction Street (where slaves were auctioned) - to experience this history.  Groups then meet and learn from the many peace and justice advocates who have offices at the church to share perspectives on justice work in our day.  These include presentations from people who fight environmental racism in a nearby neighborhood, students who are part of MAGY (Memphis Area Gay Youth), and those who run the congregation's "fair trade" store.  Hear how a bicycle cooperative is a tool for social change and talk to volunteers with the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center about ways to resist violence and war.  

Time:  Year-round.  Freedom Journey is a weekend event Friday 5:30 p.m. through Sunday noon.  We are willing to work with groups to vary the schedule as needed.

Group Size:  Up to 50

Minimum Age:  12 - but the journey is best suited for high school, college and adults.

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:5

Accommodations:  Retreat Center has 26 bunks with shower facilities.  Private rooms, dorm rooms and bunk rooms are also available at the Pilgrim House Hostel and Retreat Center.  

Cost:  Weekend Freedom Journey program $125 per person, including bunks, showers, and professional leadership for special Freedom Journey programs and events and dance & art.  This fee does not include meals or tickets.  Pilgrim House Hostel is also available for groups or individuals traveling through the area.  Rates and other lodging information available on-line at www.pilgrimhouse.org.

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Morgan-Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns (Deer Lodge)

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Contact: Ella Smith, Executive Director
  P.O. Box 8
  1022 Old Deer Lodge Pike
  Deer Lodge, TN 37726
  E-mail: morganscott@highland.net
  Website:  http://morganscottproject.org/
  Phone: 423.965.3131

Project/FOcus: Housing repairs in poverty area of Appalachia.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Group leaders responsible for own programming.

Time: June, July and August. Work groups are also welcome in the fall and spring.

Group Size: 20

Minimum Age:  12 years

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:5

Accommodations: Common lodging site. Group must bring linens and blankets or sleeping bags. Groups must prepare own meals (cooking facilities provided).

Cost: There is no cost per person, but each group is asked to send in advance or leave a check for at least one-half the cost of materials used in the projects they complete.  (You tell us how much money you have to spend and we will give you projects that fit within that budget).

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Sunset Gap Community Center (Cosby)

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Contact:  Kenny Morgan, Executive Director
  1300 Sunset Gap Road
  Cosby, TN 37722-3331
  Email:  sunsetgap@sunsetgap.org 
  Phone:  423.623.4313
  Fax:  423.623.2393
  Website:  www.sunsetgap.org
Registration:  On-line

Sunset Gap serves Cocke and Sevier Counties through children's programs, thrift store and housing rehabilitation.

Project/Focus:  Rehabilitation of homes in the Community.  Work supervisor provided.

Education/Advocacy Components:  Group leaders responsible for own programming.  Groups are welcome to hold VBS or Day Camps for community children.  Groups will be responsible for all cost of materials and snacks or lunch for children.

Time:  Summer

Group Size:  100 maximum

Minimum Age:  12

Ration of Adults to Youth:  1:8

Accommodations:  Dormitory style bunk beds.  On-site cooks prepares breakfast and evening meals.  Food is provided for sack lunches.

Cost:  $225 per person; a 10% deposit is required to secure your reservation.

Project costs range from $200 to $2500.  You will receive a Projects List from which to choose your primary project.  Additional projects may be selected or assigned according to the size and productivity of your group, need, and monies available.  The Projects are 1st come 1st serve and must be approved by the Work Camp Supervisor.

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