In 1969, the Appalachia Service Project's inaugural summer, 50 volunteers came to Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, and repaired 4 homes. ASP Philosophy Our philosophy of service has remained the same since 1969: ASP encourages people to act responsibly in the face of human need and injustice. By transforming faith into ASP service, volunteers respond to a specific need: housing. Their commitment to serve really is a contract with God. By putting aside selfish needs and desires, ASP volunteers free themselves to share talent, love, and concern with the people of Appalachia and with one another. More important than construction know-how is a willingness to enter communities and homes of central Appalachia with sensitivity, concern, and love - accepting people right where they are and just the way they are. Projects tackled by Good Sam work crews have included digging and building foundations; reinforcing sagging floors; replacing floors; cleaning up and repairing fire damage; digging drainage ditches; replacing roofs; repairing bathrooms; replacing siding; building porches, stairs, and handicap ramps; wiring; plumbing; insulation; and much more. It's often very hot and dirty work. But it is rewarding to know see much difference that all the hard work makes. ASP Today Today, ASP hosts nearly 15,000 volunteers each year in our Summer Ministry program and through year-round volunteer opportuniuties at our Housing Services Centers. Our goal remains to make homes warmer, safer and drier. We have also retained Tex Evan's vision for ASP to be a relational ministry, and one could argue that ASP is a relational ministry with home repair and home-building on the side! Since our founding in 1969, over 200,000 volunteers from across the nation have worked on thousands of homes and, in the process, both volunteers and these Appalachian families have been immeasurably blessed. ASP and the United Methodist Church ASP has been associated with the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church since its founding in 1969. ASP and Good Samaritan UMC The ASP organization is supported by corporate and private donations of materials, money, vehicles, etc. and by fees paid by the individual volunteers and each of their work crews. Funding for Good Sam's ASP ministry is outside the church budget. The trip is paid for entirely by the volunteer fees, fundraising events, and your donations. Summer 2004 is Good Sam's 26th year of working for ASP. |
The Appalachia Service Project (