The Typical Day of a Mission Volunteer

Our mission’s purpose is to bring the love of Jesus Christ to the poor and impoverished of Appalachia.  Your mission experience is a spiritual journey led by God.  We ask you keep your focus on God, seek Him out in all you do, and pray with those you are serving as well as with your service group.  Your mission experience at the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center includes daily mass and weekly adoration to aid you in keeping your focus on God and His plan for your journey.

Daily Mass for all volunteers:
St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Louisa, KY
7:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

First Day
Mass at 7:30 a.m. St. Jude’s Catholic Church  
Meet at the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center at 8:00 am for your Orientation with the Volunteer Coordinator followed by an introduction to your assigned family, gathering worksite needs, and heading out to your work site.

All Following Days:
Morning mass then work day begins at 8 a.m.
Work days will be Monday through Friday with Wednesday being a “flex day”.  
Our Options will include: Visit Yatesville Lake (hiking, kayaking, the Cove waterpark, mini-golf)
or
Visit Eastern Kentucky/West Virginia tourist locations

Job Assignments:
Job Assignments — work projects are reviewed and assigned to groups based on the needs of the Father Beiting Mission Center and the groups’ skill levels.  Typical assignments are home repair including sub-flooring, walls, windows, ramps, outdoor/yard work, painting, etc. 

Work teams of 4-6 will be assigned & dispatched to project sites. (i.e. - a group of 30 volunteers will have 5 work teams that they assign their volunteers to, based on the needed skills for the assigned project.) The volunteers will receive directions on the project and be escorted to the worksite.  Begin your work in prayer inviting the family to pray with you.

Lunch 30 minutes 

Afternoons
Continue the assigned work and assess your project needs for the next day. New assignments will be handed out as needed.  Conclude your day with a prayer of thanks again inviting the family to pray with you.  Work day ends at 4:30 p.m.  

Evenings
We ask that all groups share scriptures and reflection on their own each evening.  On Wednesday evenings, the mission staff will meet with the group to reflect on the weeks progress. Information on local cultural experiences & activities will be given and groups are encouraged to attend such activities on their own. 

Home Repair Projects:
Each repair project is assessed in advance by the Mission Outreach Coordinator and Construction Manager. These specialists are full-time employees. They determine what work needs to be done, what materials are needed, and the skill level required of the volunteers. These decisions are based on cost efficiency and prioritized need and are discussed with the homeowner in advance.  A Mission representative will stop at the job site to give direction and guidance.
Groups will be notified of their job assignments up to 1 month in advance to aid their preparation process.  Groups may choose to bring needed tools.  

Volunteer Housing
The Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission Center will provide housing for volunteers. The FBAMC main location in Lawrence County has a volunteer property that can comfortably accommodate up to 15 or 30 volunteers per week. This facility, “Padre’s Place”, near Yatesville Lake, has two buildings with 15 beds in each to sleep a total of 30 volunteers. It has twin size beds, pillows and blankets, fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms and showers. 

The costs of your mission
Stay Tuned on Details. Fundraising and Scholarship Opportunities will be available.