Christian Appalachian Project - “He won’t take any credit, but you should give it to him,” asserted Andy Beardslee, a long-term volunteer with the Christian Appalachian Project.  Ross Abrams, the man he referred to, is the hard-working Housing Lead Person who, along with his crew of 2 permanent volunteers and many who came for a day, a week, or even several months to lend a hand, built a house for Douglas and Isabelle Reynolds in Booneville, Kentucky.

It all started when the Reynolds family contacted Bruce Barnes at his West Liberty office of the USDA, and he then turned to CAP.  Mr. Barnes stated that, “The USDA has several partners, including CAP, which we’re very proud of.  CAP is the only partner we’ve got in Owsley County… and we certainly hope this is just the beginning of a very productive relationship.”  Mr. Barnes’ USDA office is the third-ranked in the state of Kentucky, working to provide home loans for repair and new housing.    

It is the first home built under the “new” housing component, an expansion of the Home Repair Program, which has been in existence for many years. CAP Housing now works in partnership with outside funding agencies to fulfill the dreams of Appalachian families by helping them own a new home.  CAP donates the labor to build the homes while the family, with CAP’s assistance, obtains low interest loans and grants from outside agencies, making the homes affordable to low income families.  Geoff Barrett is CAP’s Housing Manager in the Lancaster-based service area of Kentucky.  He noted that, “We are able to come in and plug them into some government funding—including monies from the USDA and the Kentucky Housing Corporation.”

Under the able direction of Ken Stuber, Assistant Director of the Housing Program, the program aims to work in partnership with people who are willing to help themselves to the greatest extent possible.  According to Housing Specialist Donna Thrush, the Reynolds “had to go through a lot before the first scoop of dirt.”  The process involved in moving them into their new house began with home ownership counseling, which includes budgeting, credit readiness, long term goals and planning and maintenance training.  “They were here every day,” she said, “working with us, giving their time and sweat equity, side by side.  We couldn’t have asked a family to work harder.”

Isabelle Reynolds, along with her husband Douglas and two children, Patricia and Doug, joined in the celebration.  The whole family was simply bursting with pride as Isabelle stated, “We all stuck together… I praise the Lord.”

Clara Reynolds, mother of Douglas and 12 other children appeared to be simply bursting with pride and happiness to see her son and his wife finally achieve their dream.  “I’m so happy,” she said. “There’s just not words to say.  I give God the praise.”

Mr. Stuber noted that a lot of hard work went into the building of the house, “not just nails and boards.”  And Mr. Barrett happily remarked that, “this is a lovely house.  It will be a home when they move in.”

The Christian Appalachian Project is an interdenominational, non-profit service organization which works to help the people of Appalachia help themselves by providing physical, spiritual, and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services.