Appalachia is a hidden gem rich with both natural and American history. It has a unique geographic position at the crossroads between the cities of the northeast and the sites of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars which has contributed to the cultural melting pot of the region. Appalachia’s hard-working people have preserved their identity, including their folk traditions and community-centered lifestyles, despite limited financial resources. Lack of government support has posed further challenges to the development of the region which is among the poorest in the nation. Georgetown community service projects to Appalachia take only a small group of students allowing them to form close personal connections with the organizations and people with whom we work.
These five programs offer diverse perspectives of Appalachia. Each trip will have free time which can be spent socializing with the community and participating in local cultural activities and events as well as forming lasting friendships with fellow Georgetown students.
We work at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, which provides three meals a day to the underserved population of downtown Chattanooga. This city outreach serves 120,000 meals each year. The Community Kitchen has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade adding to its services a job training program, clothing donations, healthcare, a day shelter, a community recycling program, transitional family housing and a thrift store.
Athens, OH:
The newest SBIA trip will partner with Good Works, an organization that aids its rural Appalachia community with homelessness, poverty, and recovery issues. Much of the work students do will be focused on people and building relationships. Students will also participate in a variety of activities which may include painting, cleaning, moving and refurbishing parts of the Good Works facilities as well as cooking and serving a weekly meal for the community.
Cranks Creek, KY:
This trip to HarlanCounty in southeastern Kentucky is one of the oldest and most beloved of the SBIA program. The Cranks Creek Survival Center was started by Becky and Bobby Simpson over 20 years ago and offers a variety of services to the surrounding community in times of need such as food, clothing, and temporary housing to help homeless get back on their feet. Home to kind people and an interesting history, Cranks Creek offers an inside experience of rural Appalachia. Becky and Bobby have made a huge difference in their community, and they love hosting Georgetown students who come down every year to help with building and other tasks.
Wheeling, WV:
Wheeling used to be a thriving industrial city along the steel belt of the region and now faces issues of poverty and homelessness. Six days a week the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling provides two meals a day and a meal to go for the evening as well as shelter in inclement weather. We will work with the soup kitchen to improve their outreach capabilities and to assist neighboring organizations with special projects. Students can quickly form friends with many of the talkative regulars during their week at the soup kitchen. Meals and evening entertainment will be provided by members of the community.
Guyan Valley, WV:
Students will work with Appalachia Service Project to make the homes of Guyan Valley, WV residents warmer, safer and drier. Appalachia Service Projects was founded by Reverend Glenn "Tex" Evans in 1969 to provide vital housing services to low-income families living in Central Appalachia as well as transformational life experiences to those served, volunteers offering their service, congregations involved with ASP, and entire communities. Cultural immersion is a huge part of the GuyanValley trip. Along with eating and spending time with families, volunteers will have the opportunity to hear local bluegrass music and meet many community members. Come offer hope to a family in Appalachia!
