Often, people outside of Appalachia look down upon it’s poverty. People often ask: “Why not leave? Why don’t they get jobs? What is keeping Appalachia poor?”

What people need to understand is that Appalachian poverty is a cycle which is perpetuated by a land which isolates and fights to remain untamed. The people of Appalachia, by all accounts, should not have really survived this long. However, Appalachian resilience, partially formed by the land, has sustained them. You can find people up in the “hollers” who have lived here for generations with very little contact with the outside world. Education is also poor in Appalachia, and those who show promise leave, rather than invest back into their home.

So, why Appalachia? We serve Appalachia because they are in need of help, but more importantly because they need to know they are worth the effort. God created them in His Image, and they have a dignity worth fighting for. Appalachia can only improve if Appalachians have the dignity and self-worth to pick not just themselves up, as they are so capable of, but also the entire region.

Here at the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center, we are following the unique vision of our namesake, who believed in “helping people help themselves,” providing goods and services different from welfare that come with a Christian, smiling face. We know and see that our Christian joy, even though we only may build a ramp, helps our clients motivate themselves to improve their lives.

No, you do not have to be Catholic, or even Christian. However, we are a Catholic institution and our volunteers represent the Church in some way. While you do not have to agree with all the Church asserts, you need to respect who we are and what we stand for. We will always respect and welcome those who are willing to make a difference in Appalachia, and we expect the same in return.

We can accommodate up to 30 volunteers between our two trailers, each housing 15.

We provide a kitchen stocked with cookware, dishes, and utensils as well as a grill. We also provide bedding and pillows, although many groups prefer to bring their own (twin sized beds). You are responsible for food (other than a pizza party one night), transportation, and toiletries.