Building Hope, Transforming Lives

BY TINA V. BRYSON

The rain continued to fall as news of devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky was publicized across national media. Employees from Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), who were attending a conference, huddled together with their laptops precariously balanced on their laps or on swiftly pushed together café tables. The need for assistance was urgent, and they knew CAP donors would want to know how they could help. The staff was right — and help they did. Donors generously responded to CAP’s emergency appeal to help thousands in the region who’d found their homes and their belongings underwater.

“When families are struck by natural disasters, we rally our volunteer base to help with immediate needs, like muck-outs and assessments,” said Guy Adams, CAP president/CEO. “But we also know that recovery is a long journey for many families. CAP has always been here to help immediately following a natural disaster — but also for the long haul, months and years later to help families get back on their feet. Strategic partnerships have helped us meet those needs.”

The outpouring of generosity from donors was remarkable, and CAP partnered with Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to multiply the impact of the support being provided to families who were still struggling to get back in their homes after the flood’s destruction. Both organizations have decades of housing expertise, and, by joining resources, they sought to build quality homes as quickly as possible for flood survivors primarily located in Floyd and Knott Counties.

In recent years, ASP has expanded its outreach to include building new homes for low-income families whose homes were destroyed by fire or flooding and for others whose homes are simply beyond repair.

“Having witnessed the great work CAP does throughout the region over the years, this partnership is a wonderful opportunity for ASP to work with CAP in a very direct way, rebuilding flood-recovery homes for the families both organizations have served for decades,” said Walter Crouch, ASP president/CEO. “Personally, I hope this opens the door for more partnership opportunities in the future. The people of Central Appalachia deserve our most effective efforts.”

Through this partnership, CAP and ASP plan to build 10 new homes for families in Eastern Kentucky. Regular homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, and FEMA reports that only 4% of people applying for housing recovery assistance after the floods in July 2022 had flood insurance. The maximum FEMA grant per household is less than $40,000, and it is currently the only source of funding for many residents in the area.

“For more than 50 years, CAP and ASP have called Eastern Kentucky home, serving families in substandard housing and providing life-transforming experiences for volunteers, families, and communities,” said Grant Vermilya, ASP’s flood recovery coordinator. “While we’ve worked together in different capacities in the past, it takes intentional partnerships, like this one with CAP, to serve these communities in a new way: providing new homes for flood survivors.”

The inland floods, a type of disaster made worse by climate change, stretched across more than a dozen counties. Hundreds of families had to move into government-run shelters, but generous donations from CAP supporters continue to bring new hope to the region.

“Both ASP and CAP are dedicated to getting families back into homes that are safe, warm, and dry as quickly as possible. This partnership is a great way for us to bring more resources to that end,” said Bryan Byrd, director of CAP’s Home Repair program. “I’m excited to see lives changed and hope restored through our joint efforts.”