TRIP DATES – July 20 to July 27, 2024
The Appalachia Service Project theme for 2024: Building Kindness – Our theme comes from Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (NIV)
At ASP we build lots of things – we build new homes, we build relationships, we build community. During Formation and our mission trip this summer we will explore our theme of Building Kindness. This is an intentional way of life where we give of ourselves in love and compassion to others. We do this with a servant heart, in humility, and we offer kindness with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
Let’s consider Building Kindness not as a series of random acts but as the potential to become a radical way of living.
- Kindness should be extended to everyone.
- Kindness requires us to notice the needs around us and act.
- Kindness and forgiveness are deeply intertwined- to be kind, we must be willing to forgive even when it’s difficult.
- Kindness is embodied in small, simple gestures that show love and humility.
- Kindness often means including those who are ostracized or marginalized.
- Kindness is shared through words that heal and comfort.
ASP 2024 – Important Related Documentation
ASP 2024 – Crew Service Project (PDF)
ASP 2024 – Heroes Crew List (PDF)
ASP 2024 – Villains Crew List (PDF)
Uploading ASP 2024 Photos (PDF)
ASP 2024 – Campaign Letter Writing Instructions (PDF)
ASP 2024 – Campaign Letter Sample (WORD DOC)
ASP 2024 – Service Project Information
Each crew, led by the teen and adult leaders are required to work together on a local service project by June 9.
Rules for Crew Service Project:
- Activity should be at least 2 hours in duration
- All crew members must participate
- Teen leader will coordinate
- Take a picture of crew during activity and upload to Google Drive
- Must be an act of service or fundraiser to donate to a non-profit organization
- Activity must be completed before June 9 (Skills Day)
Service Project Ideas:
- Beyond Hunger (Oak Park’s Food Pantry) – In order to volunteer at Food Pantry, you have to attend a one-hour orientation session – Next ones are 4/10, 4/17, and 5/15
- Housing Forward (Maywood) – Contact volunteer@gobeyondhunger.org to arrange to volunteer as a group (possibility of making cookies or collecting warm socks for clients of the Daytime Support Center).
- Crop Hunger Walk – May 5, 2024 – 3 mile or 1 mile options for walk – Join the Youth Ministry Team to support the migrant ministry or join Beyond Hunger Team.
- Opportunity Knocks – Talk to Norman Carroll or email info@opportunityknocksnow.org or call 708-771-6159 to ask about volunteer opportunities.
- Feed My Starving Children (Aurora or Schaumburg) – Visit their FAQs page, email registration@fmsc.org or call 763-951-7306.
- Earth Day – Des Plaines River Cleanup – Saturday, April 20 from 8 to 10 AM – CLICK HERE to register.
- Forest Preserve of Cook County – Litter Cleanup Opportunities
- Sarah’s Inn (Forest Park) – Meal Makers program – Volunteers provide a cooked meal for families impacted by domestic violence – Wednesday 4/24 or 5/29 5 PM – Contact Mariam Ideis at mariami@sarahsinn.org for more information.
- Village of Oak Park Neighborhood Clean-Up Program
- Clean Up – Give Back Oak Park & River Forest – Email at cugb.oprf@gmail.com for more information.
- St. Giles School (708-383-6279) or Parish (708-383-3430) – Call either office or visit the Parish Center to ask what projects might be available around the church and school campus.
- A House in Austin
ASP 2024 – Photo Upload Information
To upload photos, you will need to have an existing Google account. If you do not have a Google account and would like to send photos to be uploaded, please send them to Therese Cormack at twalshcormack@gmail.com.
Uploading photos on a PC:
- Click 2024 Photo Albums to go to the folder on Google Drive.
- You should see various folders.
- Clicking the layout button will show the folders or photos in Grid or List layout.
- Select which folder you would like to upload your photos to by double clicking the folder name.
- Click the + New button.
- Select File upload to upload individual photos or select Folder upload to upload a whole folder of photos at a time.
Uploading from a mobile phone (via Google Drive app):
- Click 2024 Photo Albums.
- Google Drive app should open.
- You should see various folders.
- Clicking the layout button will show the folders or photos in Grid or List layout.
- Select which folder you would like to upload your photos to by touching the folder name.
- Click the + button.
- Select Upload and navigate to where your photos are and upload one photo at a time or press and hold each photo to select more than one photo. Touch Select to complete upload.
ASP’s Mission & Vision
Vision – Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia.
Mission – Appalachia Service Project envisions the eradication of substandard housing in Central Appalachia and the transformation of everyone who comes in contact with this ministry.
ASP’s Volunteer Covenant
As a Volunteer, I agree:
- To familiarize myself with and abide by ASP’s Expectations, Rules and Regulations, Anti-Harassment Policy, and dress code.
- To work safely and report to the staff any behavior or situation that I deem unsafe.
- To be open-minded and work to build meaningful relationships with the homeowners I serve and interact appropriately with community members and other groups at my center.
- To utilize resources in a stewardly fashion.
- To maintain a clean facility by completing the chores assigned to my group.
Formation for ASP 2024
ATTENDANCE AT FORMATION MEETINGS IS MANDATORY.
Schedule – Location: McDonough Hall – 1101 Columbian Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
- Formation Meeting # 3 – Sunday, May 5, 2024, 6:30 pm
- Formation Meeting # 4 – Sunday, June 9, 2024, 6:30 pm
- Final Preparation Meeting – Sunday, July 14, 2024, 6:00 pm
- Sunday July 14, 2024 – 5:00 pm Commissioning Mass,
- Skills Day – June 9, 2024 (Mandatory for all teen leaders and new participants, strongly recommended for all others)
Communication and Coordination
There is nothing more effective than having our ASP group on the same page and moving towards the same life-changing goals. To adequately prepare for this trip together, communication and coordination is key.
- Our primary methods of communication will be email, texts and Flocknotes. Please be sure to check regularly for any updates about our trip, your individual status, and any changes that may arise.
- All changes, updates, and information will be posted on this ASP page.
- Please contact Chris Goetz at asp@stgilesparish.org if you have any questions or concerns.
ASP Donations and Payments
Please help support ASP! – We appreciate any support, if you’d rather donate directly to ASP at St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles click on this link:
ASP Fee Payments through GiveCentral
Click to DONATE or Sponsor an ASP Participant
