Volunteer and Mission Trip Opportunities
Looking for a place to volunteer or take a mission team? Check out the list below or contact one of our coalition member organizations. Contact Keith (keith@tfhope.org) for suggestions for volunteer options in Appalachia for your team.
The Wade Center
The Wade Center, 1400 Highland Ave, Bluefield, WV 24701
Website: www.wadecenter.com
Contact information:
Phone: (304) 323-3777
Email: missions.justin@wadecenter.com
Type of work:
VBS, tutoring, cleaning and organizing homes for residents, small construction and repairs, painting, serving at our local union mission.
We can house a potential team of 60 people with 4 dorm rooms, and 3 showers each for both boys and girls. The best way to sign up is to contact Juston Johnson, Missions Coordinator, through email or phone.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP)
asphome.org/opportunities
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia. ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to provide critical home repairs for hundreds of low-income families each year.
Since 1969, we’ve made homes warmer, safer, and drier for families and provided transformational service experiences for volunteers. Construction and building experience is not required; however, groups are encouraged to bring skilled leaders if possible. ASP matches the skill level of groups with project requirements. Volunteer groups serve in work crews of five to seven people (including at least two adults age 19+) and work for a few days or a week at a time.
Our summer program begins June 8th, kicking off 9 weeks of service across Appalachia. More than 8,000 volunteers will serve over 200 families, building relationships and homes along the way. Our summer program includes everything from accommodations to constructions materials and evening programing. ASP provides everything you need for your week of service. We also offer opportunities in the spring and fall, and all trips are open to youth, adult, college, and inter-generational groups. All volunteers must have completed 6th grade.
More information about volunteering, including information about registering a group to serve this year, is available via our website, or by contacting Allie Acevedo, Volunteer Recruitment Manager (allie.acevedo@asphome.org / 423-914-3611).
Mountain T.O.P.
Grundy County, Tennessee
Mountain T.O.P. helps meet the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of all people through Christian community and faith-based relationships. Located on the South Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, we offer major and minor repair services all year round and Day Camp programs for local children in the summertime. Mountain T.O.P. is a partnership ministry that believes everyone has something to offer! When serving with Mountain T.O.P., participants stay on our camp property—lodging, meals, and project materials are all provided in your fee. No construction experience is required. Mountain T.O.P. is intentional about creating a schedule that includes both work and rest. Our days include time for individual and corporate reflection, sharing, and worship.
Contact: Rachael Jorstad - rachael@mountain-top.org
Mountain T.O.P.'s website: mountain-top.org
Spring Service Weekends: mountain-top.org/spring
- In March and April, we are hosting a series of long weekends that span from Wednesday evening to Sunday morning, which will give us three full days to tackle major home repair projects. Register as an individual or come with a group. This program is great for college students looking for a meaningful spring break option or adults. We have room for more in all our upcoming weekends, so it's not too late to sign up!
Youth Summer Ministry: mountain-top.org/youthmissions
- In June and July, youth and adults from across the country gather in our camp for a week-long transformative mission experience in rural Appalachia. The week runs from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning. Participants can serve by completing service projects or facilitating Day Camp programs for local children. Participants must have finished 6th grade to serve with Youth Summer Ministry.
Adults in Ministry: mountain-top.org/adultsinministry
- In October, we host volunteers every weekend. The weekend starts on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday morning. Participants will contribute to major home repair projects or help host our annual Fall Festival on the 4th Saturday of the month. The Adults in Ministry program is for anyone 18+.
Retreats: mountain-top.org/retreats
- Have your own retreat at Mountain T.O.P.! You can contribute to home repair projects, participate in staff-led spiritual life programming, do some team-building on our low-ropes course, or simply rent our space and do your own thing. Our affordable, comfortable, and flexible options make it easy to retreat at Mountain T.O.P.
Appalachian Immersion Experience
First Baptist Church, Middlesboro, Kentucky
fbcmiddlesboro.org/appalachian-immersion
Contact: zach@fbcmiddlesboro.org
What is Appalachian Immersion?
Appalachian Immersion offers youth and adult groups service and learning experiences that seek to replace stereotypes about the people, region, and culture of southeastern Kentucky with enduring relationships of Christian hospitality and hope. Where our faith tradition has been keen to “go and tell,” Immersion offers to come alongside and to listen.
A Holistic Approach to Missions in the Mountains
In 2014, Middlesboro’s First Baptist Church signed on to a vision: become a place where groups could come and do missions in the mountains with integrity.
Accomodations: With a gracious gift from the estate of S.H. and Evelyn Flowers, the church repurposed its underused education wing into what members and neighbors now call “the mission wing.” There are bunk beds in two different rooms, as well as a suite with a meeting space and private bedrooms for leaders. There are two half-bathrooms, two full bathrooms, and a total of six showers.
In the past few years, there have been about dozen groups—some from churches, some from seminaries—come to serve and learn in Appalachia. Serve and learn, for God is already here and up to something, and just like every other place in the world, Appalachia too has something to teach.
We believe in serving our neighbors in their need. We believe in being the change we want to see in the world, right here in Appalachia. This region and its people are often misunderstood. Rather than letting the stereotypes of the broader culture remain unchallenged, we seek to nuance and enrich people’s perceptions of this poorly understood region in America. Groups come and serve and learn, and as they do so, they change and they change us. It’s a new way of doing missions.
Emma Quire Mission Center
Owsley County, Kentucky
Website: www.emmaquiremc.org/about
Contact:
Email: lindawitt2005@gmail.com
Phone: 606-391-8461
Teams are welcome to stay with us in Owsley County, Kentucky for projects such as construction/home repair projects, block parties, camps, workshops, how-to classes, youth events, etc.
The center offers 7 rooms, typically with 2 sets of bunk beds each, sleeping a total of 36 people.
Amenities: We provide: Bed linens, blankets, and pillows. Each room has its own bathroom with shower; towels and washcloths are also provided.
There is a full kitchen with stove, 2 refrigerators, chest freezer and ice machine. Cooking utensils and pots and pans, microwave, coffee pots with coffee & filters, and toaster are available.
A large multi-purpose room is available for use (dining, games, meetings, etc.)
Free Wi-Fi is available for guests.
There is onsite parking space with room for one large bus or truck w/trailer in addition to several regular vehicles.
Suggested donation of $15 per person, per night.
Lend-A-Hand Center
Walker, Kentucky
Website: lendahandcenter.wordpress.com
Volunteer Information: lendahandcenter.wordpress.com/volunteers
The Lend-A-Hand Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1958. We are located in Knox County, Kentucky, and serve the Stinking Creek community.
Our campus consists of 500 acres of forest and farmland. Our main Center building was built in the 1960s and houses living quarters, a large kitchen and dining area, and volunteer space. The Center is a working farm with livestock, gardens, and a large stone barn and several outbuildings.
Our mission is to lend a hand and improve the quality of life of people in southeastern Kentucky through educational, spiritual, health, and social services.
For over 6 decades volunteers have been a vital part of the work of the Lend-A-Hand Center. We take work groups, short-term volunteers, and long-term volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Center, please call (606) 622-2286.
Check with our TFH Appalachia Coalition Members for more voliunteer opportunities:
| 
