Appalachia Service Project

ASP Mission

The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is an ecumenical Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair for low-income families in Central Appalachia.  ASP’s goal is to make homes “warmer, safer, and drier” for needy families in rural Central Appalachia.
 

ASP Vision

Appalachia Service Project envisions the eradication of substandard housing in Central Appalachia and the transformation of everyone who comes in contact with this ministry.
 

Repairing Homes, Transforming Lives

ASP is more than just a building program. ASP helps Appalachia's (and America’s) poorest families but the families can help change your life, too. ASP also provides a unique framework that fosters transformational experiences for volunteers, families served, and staff — by building relationships with each other that break down cultural, social and economic barriers. When you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.  The ASP philosophy of service has remained the same since its founding: ASP encourages people to act responsibly in the face of human need and injustice.  By transforming faith into ASP service, volunteers respond to a basic specific need: housing. By putting aside their own 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 the communities and homes of Central Appalachia with sensitivity, concern, and love — accepting people right where they are and just the way they are.
 

ASP at St. Luke’s

The First United Methodist Church, in conjunction with St. Luke’s Parish, runs the annual ASP program that involves over 100 youth and adult volunteers.  Under the leadership of Jonathan Owen, the Westborough youth contingent fundraise throughout the year in order to fund their trip to Appalachia.  Each youth is required to fundraise as well as participate in a weekend training program.  While at the assigned site in Appalachia volunteers work for a week on a designated home improving the structure making it “warmer, safer and drier”.  Each volunteer gets to know the family with whom they are helping, works closely with the ASP group leaders and center staff and participates in daily devotions.  All volunteers experience the gift of giving and self-sacrifice and gain an understanding of the region and the people as well as enhancing their relationship with God. 

For more information

Sign up and see how ASP can change your life!  Volunteer youth and adult group leaders needed.  In addition, St. Luke’s ASP efforts always need parish-based support people. Contact Gloria Josephs, St. Luke’s Youth Ministry Director, at 508-366-8509.  Email address:  [email protected].  Also, see the ASP website at www.asphome.org as well as http://www.westboroughasp.org