Meaningful Connections

Meaningful Connections

By Brianna Stephens

The stories of hope, transformation, and resilience the employees and volunteers at Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) hear daily inspire the work we do. These stories also create long-lasting, personal connections to the region and the people we serve.

When Majesta Vaughn left the shores in her hometown of Huntington Beach, California, for a year of service with CAP in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, she had few connections in the area with the exception of a few family members. Almost immediately, though, she discovered the connections she was making through her service at CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry were not only making an impact on the hungry families she served, but on her as well.

“I enjoy the idea of being able to help someone meet the need of having a basic necessity, like food,” the AmeriCorps member said. “I also love sitting down and having close relationships with people and understanding who I serve.”

But Vaughn didn’t anticipate the deep connection she would form with one family and how their story would resonate with her.

A caseworker in the local school system came to the pantry to pick up food for a family and shared their story with the pantry employees and volunteers. It was a family of four siblings, and the eldest was 18 years old. They had lost their mother and had been taken in by their grandmother. After some time, the grandmother’s health started to decline.

Wanting to help her family as best she could, the 18 year old stepped up to care for her grandmother and her three siblings. When her grandmother passed away, she took custody of her siblings and still cares for them while also going to college, paying the bills, and fulfilling many other responsibilities. When the family needs food, they turn to Grateful Bread for nutritious meals.

“Hearing their story really hit home with me,” Vaughn said. “I am also 18 and have three siblings around the same ages. I couldn’t fathom being in a situation like that at my age. It really stuck with me and inspires me to work hard every day to make a difference for families like theirs.”

Like many families CAP serves, the family is appreciative of the pantry. “The young woman is trying hard to do the best she can. She is so humble and thankful for CAP,” said Sherri Barnett, community coordinator for Grateful Bread and CAP’s Grateful Threadz Thrift Store. “We hear so many stories like this, and some of them really make an impact on our lives. Like how this story has with Majesta.”

No matter the challenges children, their families, and seniors in Appalachia face, CAP employees and volunteers meet them with love and compassion and walk alongside them through what can sometimes be their darkest time. In those moments, CAP strives to offer a light of hope, love, and friendship for every person.

“It can be hard for some of our participants to come into the pantry and admit that they need help. That is its own battle,” Vaughn said. “We meet them where they are, make them comfortable, and make those important connections with them. I really appreciate the relationships we have with our participants. I am proud to serve the people of Appalachia.”