Appalachia Work Camp

Saint Catherine Labouré Parish will be participating in the weeklong spiritual mission trip with the Appalachia Work Camp. The youth and adult participants will encounter the poor, engage in works of mercy, learn skills, build homes, make friends and experience the joy of a lived faith. All those who participate learn the lessons of sacrifice for someone who cannot pay them back.

The program, now in its 42 nd year, has changed the lives not only of our members, but the poor families living in the Appalachia mountains, many of whom have lived without heat, water and electricity. In July of each year, we make the trip to Owsley County Kentucky, one of the poorest areas in the country. In a matter of 10 days, we will build two new homes, 2 or 3 new additions and several decks and wheelchair ramps.
Through annual fundraising we are able to give these families their new homes with no mortgages or financial liens of any kind. Many of these families have been living in rotted trailers, dilapidated structures, abandoned vehicles and if you can imagine, an elderly man who was living in a pigeon coop. Imagine these families being handed the keys to their new home that now has electricity, running water, sewage and warmth.

With the supervision of professional contractors, electricians and plumbers, the youth and adult volunteers work together to build these homes. No experience is necessary to participate, just the desire to work hard and become part of an amazing organization and family. This is an incredible opportunity for parents and grandparents to share a common thread with their children. We have several families of 3 generations that participate.

An integral part of our program is our fundraising as we need to raise approximately $160,000 each year to pay for our building supplies, van rentals to get us to our camp and worksites and gasoline. If making the trip to Kentucky and building homes is not your thing, you can be part our organization by helping us with our fundraising. We have several events throughout the year and are always in need of help. Here is a link to our annual video which will give you an idea as to what our program is all about.

For more information contact:
Cassy Booker @ spunkys41@aol.com
Audrey Wurst @ audreywurst@hotmail.com