Christian Appalachian Project - Dear Friend,

My father, Robert Kennedy, visited West Virginia in 1964. His experience there had a profound impact on him – opening his eyes to another side of poverty in America.

In 1997, I planned a documentary about the impact of welfare reform on the rural poor.  Because of my father's interest in the region, I had always wanted to visit Appalachia and I knew that many parts of the region remained depressed.

When I arrived in eastern Kentucky, I expected to find poor families living in single-room shacks, hardworking people unable to find jobs, and women and children who had suffered directly from the impact of welfare reform.

I expected to find people who lived without hope; instead, I found the family of Iree Bowling.

Although living in one of the poorest and most isolated parts of eastern Kentucky, Iree Bowling, at age 68 and the matriarch of an extended family, was a woman of fortitude and conviction.  She was of small means but great energy.

Seven generations of Bowlings have farmed a mile-wide valley called Mudlick Hollow. Forty members of the family live there still today.

Iree’s family warmly welcomed me into their homes, and they generously offered to let me live with them on and off over the course of a year.

Soon after arriving, I stopped asking the Bowlings to talk about how they were victims of the "system." Instead, I let them tell me their own remarkable stories — stories told with humor, dignity, pride, and not one trace of self-pity.

Indeed, jobs are extremely scarce in this isolated area, and many
Appalachians must leave to find work elsewhere. And like so many others in the region, the Bowlings struggled.

Some of their homes lacked running water, basic health care needs were not fulfilled, mothers washed clothes in a wringer washer.  Yet, the Bowlings were nevertheless committed to stay on the land they loved. They raised crops, gathered eggs, butchered hogs, hunted game, and scoured the woods for medicinal roots and moss to sell.

But their hard work and sacrifices were not enough. In 1997, the year I spent there, all of the Bowlings who lived in the hollow were on some form of government assistance.

Out of my experience with the Bowlings, I made American Hollow, a documentary about this year in the life of the family. The film was shown on HBO, at the Sundance Film Festival, and at screenings around the country. In 1999, I published a book of the same title to accompany the film.

Recently, I returned to Mudlick Hollow. The first thing I noticed was that Iree’s home had a much-needed new roof, and its rotted siding had been replaced.  Iree told me that a group of college students organized by the Christian Appalachian Project had done the work during their spring break.

She really appreciated what they had done — as did I. But I admitted I’d never heard of CAP. So I started asking about it.

Iree and her husband, Bass, have serious health problems, and I worry about them. So I was pleased to learn CAP helps low-income elders get their prescriptions filled for free.

In 1997, I had watched with horror as one of Iree’s daughters ran in fear from an abusive husband. I was happy to know CAP operates shelters for abused women.

Only one of Iree’s 13 children finished high school.  But in 1998, another daughter, Wanda, earned her General Equivalency Degree (GED) and got a job. I learned CAP helps adults study for their GEDs, and also provides job training.

Besides Wanda, other Bowlings are now earning incomes — because there are now more jobs in the area. I learned bringing jobs to Appalachia is a top priority for CAP.

The more I learned, the more I realized CAP’s donors, volunteers, and staff shared my father’s burning vision to improve the lives of families in Appalachia -- while respecting their self-reliance and pride.

How could I not support this organization?  Today, I ask you to join me in supporting the Christian Appalachian Project to help transform lives in other American hollows. Thank you.

Sincerely,



Rory Kennedy