Appalachian Service Project

Steve Haas was intrigued when his church began taking groups of high school students from their Chicago congregation to the Appalachian region for service projects.  As spokesperson for World Vision’s worldwide humanitarian work, he wanted to see for himself what the kids were doing to help alleviate rural poverty in America.  “Plus, I wanted to know if this was something I could get my own family involved with,” he told SixSeeds.

Steve watched young volunteers repair roofs, build additions, provide wheelchair ramps, install plumbing, update wiring, secure foundations, dig drainage ditches, construct porches and steps, install insulation and siding, and weatherize homes – all under the watchful eyes of knowledgable adults.

“They weren’t building decks that would collapse as soon as they left,” he said.  “They were doing things right.”

Plus, they even gave indoor plumbing and electricity to multiple families who had never known such luxury.

“When we hear the word poor, it’s very easy to believe we’re talking internationally… especially a few months ago before the economy created massive lay-offs,” Steve said.

Appalachia, however, has immense poverty for various complex, deep-rooted, and extremely political reasons, stemming from its greatly underassessed and undertaxed land. Consequently, local municipalities have had very little revenue to finance schools, to build water and sewage treatment facilities, or to provide for county landfills, roads, and basic health care.   

The next year, Steve’s wife Susan (a professional harpist), their son Andrew (now 17), daughter Erin (now 14), and son B.J. (now 11) accompanied Steve on the Appalachia Service Project.  Plus, several of his good friends from around the nation brought their families as well.

Although his children were young at the time, they all got to experience the joy and challenges of serving – and getting to know – people from very different backgrounds. "The two younger were involved in the kids program at the community center -- one served as a helper and the other was part of the kids program itself," Steve said. "Both enjoyed hanging with Mom and being with kids that were obviously not from where they lived. Erin, the older of the two, made a couple of special friendships with girls that come from very impoverished homes."

Every night, they had a fellowship, which allowed a time for introspection. They brought in musical talent and Steve gave a spiritual talk.  In fact, it became so popular that the whole community gathered for these times.  In the mornings, with dew still on the grass, some of them huddled together and studied Scriptures. During the days, ASP provided a Vacation Bible School for the children.  In this way, all members of his family were in some way engaged with the project.

“As westerners, we want to do a job instead of getting to know each other,” Steve said.  “But we weren’t just building decks, we were building relationships.  As we went back day after day and served the same family, we got to know them."

That personal relationship is what challenged the preconceptions of the volunteers.  “It’s easy to see poverty and assume ‘these people brought this on themselves.’  There’s a range of excuses that prohibit people from getting involved, but the reality of people’s circumstances might be very different than what you think.  What happens, for example when a person’s daily wage isn’t enough to make him financially secure?  What should our response be to that person? What do we do? Sometimes, I walk away without any answers,” Steve said.  “But at least we’re asking the right questions.”

In fact, his son Andrew -- who got to know some of the people very well -- began asking questions of his own.

Steve explained his son's reaction. "Andrew was so curious, and asked, 'If they're poor, why do they have a TV?' and 'What's a welfare check and do we get one?' and 'How do people eat if they don't have money or jobs?' He too walked away seeing people as people, barriers to trust and relationship were broken down."

Since then, the project has grown. Every year, about 15,000 volunteers make homes warmer, safer, and drier for 400-500 low-income families in rural areas of Central Appalachia. But it’s more than a home repair program. Through service, many lives are changed -- the families being served, the volunteers serving, and the staff facilitating the process. Often it is a reminder that, deep down, we all want to be loved, to belong, to own something, and to create something worthwhile—no matter where we live, our economic status, education, or ethnic identity. It still impacts the Haas family.

"All of our kids continue to talk about their experience," Steve said.  "I sense it had transformative impact in each one differently because of their different ages and various service projects.  But they didn't really notice the material disparity because they're 'kids.'"

Now that they are home, where materialism and "stuff" vie for their attenton, the lessons they learned in Appalachia are not far from their hearts and minds. 

"The service project helps them remember," Steve said, "that everyone is human and has equal value under God."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you like your family to participate with the ASP? Consider allowing your 14 year old (or above) teen to volunteer with ASP’s summer program.  Don’t worry—the kids repair homes under the watchful eyes of adult leaders. Adult volunteers are also needed. Are you an electrician? A woodworker?  A bricklayer?  ASP could use your skills.  Amazingly, since 1969, more than 12,500 homes have been repaired with the assistance of over 240,000 volunteers.

Click here to find out more about our volunteering opportunities, or here to make a financial contribution.

One of the best ways you can help is by being an advocate for Appalachia.  Teach your children about the region with books, videos, and websites found here. The more they know, the more likely they will understand the need for affordable housing and services that help low-income people all over the nation.