How can I reach someone in the Volunteer Program office if I have questions?

 You can reach us by phone toll-free at 1-800-755-5322 or by email at volunteer@chrisapp.org. Our mailing address is 4192 North Wilderness Road, Mt. Vernon, KY 40456. **Please note that this is a new address. We will still receive mail sent to our old address for one year, but all mail should be sent to our new address.**

Do I have to apply by a certain date?

CAP has a rolling admissions process, which means we accept volunteers throughout the year. However, we do encourage prospective volunteers to send in their application as soon as possible, according to the following dates: 

Summer Camp: April 15, 2007 

Short-term: Applications received on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Long-term: Applications are processed in rounds. Priority and wider choice of service placement will be given to those applications postmarked by: March 15, 2007; July 15, 2007.

How can I afford to volunteer?

How can you afford not to volunteer? Volunteering with CAP gives you outstanding work and life experience, the chance to live and work in a beautiful part of the United States, and of course, the opportunity to serve God's people. Volunteer service can enrich your life in countless ways.  

Financially speaking, CAP is blessed to be able to offer full room and board to all individual volunteers, and for long-term volunteers, health insurance benefits and a stipend. Volunteers do not need to bring a personal vehicle to CAP (however, volunteers must provide their own transportation to Kentucky). Potential AmeriCorps Education Awards are available, which can be a significant source of funding for paying off student loans, or for attending college (see question about AmeriCorps below). For individuals with student loans, CAP can assist with loan deferment so that a volunteer will not have to make payments on their loans while they are serving at CAP (see next question).

Can I defer my student loans?

In most cases, yes. CAP is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency, and therefore accepted volunteers are eligible for loan deferment. Volunteers need to request deferment forms from their lending agency and then turn them into the Volunteer Program office for validation. Deferment is the choice of the provider, but most CAP volunteers are able to defer, especially as an enrollee in the AmeriCorps Education Award program.

What about AmeriCorps?

CAP is pleased to offer AmeriCorps Education Awards, which can be used in the following ways: 1) To repay qualified existing student (college) loans. 2) To pay all or part of the cost of attending a qualified institution of higher education (including certain vocational programs). 3) To pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-work program.

The types of awards offered include: Full Time, which requires 1700 hours of service (approximately one year of service) for an award of $4,725.

Part Time, which requires 900 hours of service (minimum 9 months of service) for an award of $2,362.  

For more info about AmeriCorps Education Awards please call the CAP Volunteer Program office at 1-800-755-5322.

Do you offer health insurance for volunteers?

Long-term CAP volunteers may receive health benefits. For specific questions about health insurance benefits for CAP volunteers please contact Kathy Kluesener in the Volunteer Program office at 1-800-755-5322.

Are you a Catholic organization?

Our founder is a Catholic priest but we are not a Catholic organization. We are an interdenominational Christian organization seeking to promote the good news of the Gospels through service. Our volunteers come from a variety of faith traditions and participate in prayer services led by one another. Openness to diversity is necessary for community life.

How long is the commitment?

We ask short-term volunteers to commit to a minimum of three weeks of service. Long-term volunteers serve for 9 months or more.  Our summer camp volunteers make a 3 to 9 week commitment.

What exactly is community living?

Currently, CAP has four volunteer houses located throughout eastern Kentucky. Most CAP volunteers live in community at the volunteer houses, although some volunteers choose to find their own housing near their service site. CAP is now offering an "Independent Living" option for volunteers who are 50 years old and older, and/ or are married, and who prefer to live on their own, rather than in the volunteer house. This option includes a small food stipend, a modest living stipend, and potential health benefits. Please call the Volunteer Program office to learn more.

All volunteer houses share dinner and prayer during the week, and having meals and praying together is one of the building blocks in a CAP community. In the houses, most volunteers have their own room and share bathroom facilities. All the houses each have a shared living room space, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Who volunteers for CAP?

We are blessed to have volunteers from all age groups, from young people just out of high school, to people in mid-career, to retirees and everyone in between. Our volunteers come from all over the United States and from many different backgrounds, professions, and diverse faith experiences. Their commonality is that they feel called to serve in Appalachia and want to make a difference in the lives of the people they meet.

Can I bring my spouse?

Volunteering with your spouse can be a rewarding and enriching experience. We encourage it!  Please keep in mind, both individuals need to go through the admissions process. Sorry, we are unable to accomodate families with dependents.

What is there to do in Eastern Kentucky?

In their free time, many volunteers go hiking, contra dancing, play Ultimate Frisbee, attend local concerts/ festivals, relax, read, etc. CAP is surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, which offer plenty of outdoor activities. Also, there are two volunteer retreats and several social gatherings throughout the year.

Can I bring my pet with me?

Unfortunately, volunteers cannot bring their pet with them due to the consideration of housemates who may have allergies, etc. If you must bring your pet with you to Kentucky, you can inquire about the option of finding your own housing (which is the financial responsibility of the volunteer).  

What should I bring with me?

Most folks need to bring their personal things such as clothes, CD’s, books, hiking boots, running shoes, etc. CAP will supply all volunteers with room and board as well as linens, and all the volunteer houses are fully furnished. A list of items to bring will be sent to all volunteers. 

Does CAP foster a "simple" lifestyle?

All CAP volunteers are provided with room and board in a modest volunteer house. CAP strives to demonstrate good stewardship in the houses and programs, and encourages volunteers to be conscientious about their use of CAP resources.    

What are the chances of me becoming a CAP volunteer?

We work with a vulnerable population, and out of respect for our participants there is an application process, which includes a national background check and input from three references. Once the Volunteer Program office receives your application, our admissions coordinator will contact you to discuss your application, and the program placement you are most interested in. Long-term volunteers do an interview with our staff in the Volunteer Program office as well as with several program managers. We feel that it is for your benefit so that you can make the right decision about your service. Following your return home, you and CAP will reflect upon your visit to ensure a mutual match.

What do most volunteers do after they serve?

After a fulfilling time of serving at CAP, many folks dwell on the experience before moving on. They take in the knowledge learned and gifts received and try to fit into their “post CAP life”. Some people will use that handy dandy AmeriCorps award to go to college, to attend graduate school, or pay off student loans. Many volunteers go back to their home state to return to their jobs and/ or find a new job; some volunteers stay in Kentucky after finishing their service with CAP. Some CAP alumni volunteer again, either in the US or internationally.

If you have any more questions and would like to talk to someone about CAP, please feel free to call 1-800-755-5322