Community Partner since 1999.
This glorious week of serving and learning in Appalachia has come to and end. We will forever share a bond with our team leaders and each other. Thank you for letting me share this experience with you. First, we learned about coal, the people who mined it, and then had the chance to get up close […]
“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.” Getting down and dirty. The mission begins, everyone is pumped and ready to go. Dr. Kostroff delivering instructions and taking names. We then met Vicky, the construction leader, introduced us to the residents. The residents told their stories of struggle with education, struggles with health and their accomplishments. […]
Today felt like a “big day” for volunteer work in Oak Hill, West Virginia. The community center work was productive. Most of us did a mixture of tasks – new ones, and ones that we did yesterday. Helen helped at the food bank, which packed and distributed food today. Fran and Kathy worked on […]
We all ended up going to Oak Hill School. John and Arlin worked at framing with the rest of us sanding, stripping floors, mudding, and various other chores. Met some of the SALS guys as well as Barb from Vista. Finished around 4 pm and were treated on the way home to chocolate eggs made […]
Wednesday, 1/8/14 It’s Wednesday and we’ve finally begun to get into a rhythm here in Beards Fork. After a half week of beyond cold weather and cancelled classes everyone has managed to settle in and get down to work. Our day started with a delicious French toast buffet prepared by Baheejah, Shannon P., and Jennifer. […]
Appalachia – a Hard History A West Virginia volunteer reflects on the harsh realities of life in the Appalachian Mountains. Named after a native Indian tribe that was mistaken then as you are mistaken now. Known for everything from your moon shining to your clan fending and serving babies Mountain Dew. Called everything from […]
The day started as would any other. The billowing clouds packed the sky and the sound of rain dancing around us stifled our mixed emotions. The now normal routine laid itself out. Ryan got us going with his favorite quote, “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, […]
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 Pat With Students At Adult Learning Center In the work week, Wednesday is “hump day; in Beard’s Fork it was “click day.” While I can’t say we were humming to the tunes that Billy Payne sang last night, we were moving with a familiar rhythm to the jobs waiting for us […]
A Volunteer Team Leader describes preparations for a Global Volunteers Team in West Virginia. I set to work in the morning getting things in order: moving desks and mattresses, sorting through bedding, making name signs for each dorm room. In between I got to know the two college interns who are in Beards Fork for the […]
We awoke to a freshly washed Beards Fork. The rain from last night cleared away and broke to a beautiful July morning. Breakfast was prepared by all and sleepy heads rubbed the dew from their eyes over hot coffee, tea, and the kind conversation of new friends. Artie arrived and formally began our work day. […]