Tennessee – United Church of Christ
Appalachia Service Project, Inc. (Johnson City)
Contact: ASP Volunteer Recruitment
4523 Bristol Highway
Johnson City, TN 37601
E-mail: recruitment@asphome.org or rachel.robertson@asphome.org
Phone: 423.854.4423
Fax: 423.854.9771
Web site: www.ASPhome.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AppServProject
Locations: Opportunities are available in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) brings volunteers and communities together in the heart of Central Appalachia, strengthening faith, deepening relationships, and spreading hope.
Project/Focus: ASP repairs homes for the poorest families in Central Appalachia with the vision that substandard housing in Central Appalachia might be eradicated and everyone who comes into contact with this ministry will be transformed.
Education/Advocacy Components: Morning devotions and evening programs provided by staff. Group leader resources include Study Session with preparation skills and follow up https://www.asphome.org/volunteer/groupleaderresources/
Time: Summer – Summer Program – application received until April 15. Groups volunteer for 5 days, arriving on Sunday and departing on Saturday; Year Round Program – fall, winter, and spring work weeks or weekends available for youth and adults; apply at least two month in advance.
Group Size: Maximum capacity is location dependent – 63 to 84. Groups subdivide into work crews of 7.
Minimum Age: 14 years. (13 if 8th grade completed) Youth Programs for ages 14-18 years. Year round program available.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 2:5 – Minimum of 2 adults required for each work crew.
Accommodations: Housing in schools, community buildings or churches on cots or air mattresses w/sleeping bags. ASP provides meals. Each group is expected to bring a van for each work team.
Cost: Cost per volunteer per 5-day week is $350 or $70 per person per day.
NOTE: All locations are scheduled at ASP Headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee via above information.
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First Congregational UCC Freedom Journey (Memphis)
Contact: Ellen Lawler, Coordinator of Residential Ministries
1000 South Cooper Street
Memphis, TN 38104
Email: elawler.fc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.freedomjourneys.org/
Freedom Journey: We’ll connect you with people and experiences that make a difference in the world – with a focus on Social Justice: civil rights activist, artist, actors, housing experts, food ministry, musical and dance experiences, tours and an opportunity to discuss your thoughts thru interactive discussions. You choose the programs and activities that interest your group from our programs offered and we will put your Journey together for you.
You can also experience all that Memphis has to offer:
We are a dynamic city that is known for its “soul”. You can explore the incredible music legacy of Memphis by visiting Soulsville USA, STAX Records, Sun Studios that has hosted some of the biggest legends in music, or Graceland – famed former home of Elvis Presley. Also, feel the rhythm and energy of one of Memphis’s biggest tourist attractions – Beale Street.
Memphis is home to The National Civil Rights Museum, a living testament to the life of Martin Luther King and the history of the racial equality movement. Memphis is also home to the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For an outdoor experience, Big River Crossing is the country’s longest active/bicycle/pedestrian bridge. Catch a basketball game with our Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum or a baseball game with our AAA Memphis Red Birds at AutoZone Park. Our Zoo is the home of 3,500 animals and our very own Panda’s.
Relax at Shelby Farms Park with 4,500 acres of urban nature at its finest-one of the largest parks in the US. Wildlife can be observed in their natural environment from the many trails in the park. Shelby Farms Park is home to a bison herd. For activities, they offer cycling, treetop rope course, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing.
Time: We are willing to work with groups to vary the schedule as needed – with primary opportunities during spring break and summertime.
Group Size: Up to 40
Minimum Age: Freedom Journey is best suited for high school, college and adults.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5 for High School groups; No ratio requirement for college groups.
Accommodations: Our on-site Retreat Center has 40 bunks with shower facilities and a Self-Serve Kitchen. On-site Hostel Memphis offer private rooms, dorm rooms , a full-service kitchen, linens and towels included, free breakfast and endless coffee, community spaces for relaxing and meeting. We can also furnish meals at an additional cost at the Retreat Center and Hostel. Free WiFi available!
Cost: The Freedom Journey experience is $250.00 per person for groups of 15 or more; $300 per person for groups of less than 15; which includes professional leadership for all programs & events over a course of 5 days. We also offer shorter and longer Freedom Journeys. This cost does not include housing, meals or tour tickets. Onsite housing options are 1) Retreat Center at $10.00 – $12.00 (depending on size of group, length of stay and time of year) per person per night or 2) Hostel at $25.00 per person per night for dormitory style rooms. Private rooms are also available at $55.00. You can review the housing choices at www.hostelmemphis.com.
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Morgan-Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns (Deer Lodge)
Contact: Crystal Tompkins, Executive Director
P.O. Box 8
1022 Old Deer Lodge Pike
Deer Lodge, TN 37726
E-mail: morganscott@highland.net
Website: http://morganscottproject.org/
Phone: 423.965.3131
Registration: Go to webpage. Click on “Morgan Soctt work groups” for calendar showing available dates.
Morgan Scott is a faith-based organization established in 1972 to help the low and no-income families in the area with support in their everyday lives. Morgan Scott provides emergency aid, home repair, food, school supplies, education support for adults, Christmas presents for children, and operates a thrift store. The goal is to meet each person where they are in their lives and show them Christ’s love while working to make their life better.
Project/Focus: Housing repair. Projects include building ramps, remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, replacing rotten floorings, painting and yard cleaning.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Evening activities showcase the community and its people. Groups are encouraged to take Wednesday as a free day to explore state and national parks, as well as Blue Grass music. Groups receive education related to the make-up of Morgan and Scott Counties, including the job market, religion, national resources and other items of interest.
Time: Year round
Group Size: Any size
Minimum Age: Children under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
Accommodations: The center has two bunk rooms, dining area, kitchen, 5 full bathrooms, and a porch with picnic tables. It also has a full kitchen with 3 freezers, 2 refrigerators, gas grill, dishes, silverware, toasters, micro-wave, cooking utensils and serving dishes. There is a place for bonfires at night. The buildings have central air-conditioning and internet. Groups provide and prepare their own food. Groups bring own sleeping bags or bed linens.
Cost: Adults $250 per person per week. Children under 11 years $200 per person per week. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at time of registration.
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Sunset Gap Community Center (Cosby)
Contact: Executive Director, Audrey Jones
1300 Sunset Gap Road
Cosby, TN 37722-3331
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 642
Newport, Tennessee 37822
Email: sunsetgap@gmail.com
Phone: 423.623.4313
Website: www.sunsetgap.weebly.com
Registration: http://www.sunsetgap.com/mission-camp-registration.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sunsetgap/
Sunset Gap: is a Christian based organization that united people of all faiths by providing programs that contribute to the physical, social, economic, and spiritual growth of the Appalachian people.
Project/Focus: Groups serve with rehabilitation of homes in communities in eastern Tennessee. Work supervisor is available.
Education/Advocacy Components: Mission Campers can learn about Appalachian culture and history throughout their day-to-day activities.
Rustic log chapel, outdoor worship spaces and, other facilities are available for group meetings.
Evening and Rest and Relaxation Day, educational programs are available.
Group Size: 75 maximum
Minimum Age: 12 years
Ration of Adults to Youth: 1:8
Accommodations: Dormitory style facilities with bunk beds, showers, and common areas. Group provides own linens, pillows and personal items. On-site cook prepares breakfast & evening meals. Food is provided for sack lunches to be taken to the job site.
Cost: $300 per person/per week plus project materials. We strive to match your groups’ size and skill set with the most fitting projects to maximize impact in our poverty-stricken counties.