Hey readers, happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is well and has had a great start to the week thus far. Last week’s adventures for the Story Gathering Interns took us through the country roads of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and Greenbrier, West Virginia. There were some awesome stories we got to cover, and I’d just like to take this week’s blog to recount a few.
While we were in Kanawha County, our teams were hard at work on several meaningful projects. Like many communities across Central Appalachia, the area faces ongoing challenges tied to aging housing stock, economic hardship, and public safety concerns. These realities created a unique set of circumstances for staff and volunteers, who navigated them with care and resilience. Despite these difficulties, the team remained steadfast in ASP’s mission, continuing to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for the families we serve.
During our visit, we spoke with a homeowner named Mrs. Tina, who was getting a new set of outdoor stairs installed on her front porch. She shared how much she appreciated ASP and the volunteers for their work. The original stairs leading into her home were shaky and unsafe. The wooden boards bent significantly when stepped on, almost as if someone might fall through. Without these repairs, Mrs. Tina would face a serious risk of injury every time she stepped outside. As a married woman who also occasionally brings her grandchild over to visit, this issue was a hazard for her husband and granddaughter as well. She’s excited to see the finished result, and I was so happy when she expressed how much it meant to her. Her genuine gratitude truly made my heart smile.
While in Kanawha, I met someone who I feel really embodies “being the light” in the community. Derek Hudson is the current Executive Director for the Showers Healthcare Outreach Program (SHOP), a program for Charleston, West Virginia’s citizens who are in need. He started the program just as a simple place for the homeless population to shower and wash clothes. Since its start in 2021, his program has grown, and so has his outreach in the community of Charleston. The number of services he’s able to provide has also grown with it! His program has helped several individuals get back on their feet, off the streets and back into homes as well as places to work. The SHOP also serves as a food pantry and provides healthcare services. Listening to Derek’s story was very inspiring. He initially searched for a way to give back to his community after unfortunately learning that he was terminally ill. After lots of personal reflection, he decided he was going to make everyday count with what he had left. This brainchild of his has truly taken off and made such an incredible impact on his hometown. Even through a tough situation, he has managed to find the silver lining and give thousands of people hope. He intends to step away from the program he founded this fall to spend all the time he can with his family.
In Greenbrier County, it was a very special visit because a lot of the volunteers that week were from my coworker Haley’s home church, La Plata United Methodist Church. It was fun to meet them and see those family interactions amongst everyone she knew. I was happy we got to visit the county at the same time as them. I could tell everything felt like home for a second, and that was special.
From my perspective, the volunteers were very passionate about ASP and most of them were returners from previous summers, meaning there was lots of ASP experience between the groups. I enjoyed talking and getting to know some of them. It appears ASP had really made an impact on their lives and gave them a lot of joy over the years. There were so many groups of families on this trip, and I got to hear several stories about how one family member’s first trip made so much of a great impression on them that it inspired them to bring the rest of the family the following year. That says a lot about the experiences here; I feel like you truly do just have to see it for yourself to believe the special impact ASP makes for everyone involved. It was great meeting and talking to people who just had so much kindness in their hearts for everyone and was so happy to put meaningful work in for a greater cause.
Haley and I met the sweetest couple while visiting Greenbrier, and their story was truly unbelievable. Mr. Rick and Mrs. Brenda are a couple that has been married for 46 years and are getting their floor and roof worked on. They both expressed that ASP has been so kind to them, and they are very grateful for the help we are providing. We got to spend time getting to know them and their backstory, which they honestly have so many stories and so much history to tell! We learned that Mrs. Brenda has been through a lot, and honestly, is lucky to be alive. A couple of years ago, Mrs. Brenda suffered 4 separate instances of cardiac arrest in the span of two days and was hospitalized for a significant period of time. Her health has suffered a lot over the past couple of years, including some memory loss. She told us how much of a blessing it was just to still be here with her husband, who has also experienced complications over the years. They were very worried about how long their home would last and knew it would become an even bigger issue the longer it was left unaddressed due to their abilities. Fortunately, ASP accepted their application, and they’ve been working on the house for a few weeks now! This has brought Rick and Brenda peace of mind that their house will continue to be just as livable. Brenda talked about how they’ve already shared with various family members the amazing job ASP is doing, and they can’t wait to have company over to see it. My heart feels for her. She’s gone through so much in her lifetime, so I know having this beacon of light around her home every day must be so encouraging.
This week has proven yet again to be a fulfilling, inspiring journey, and I couldn’t be happier for the homeowners, volunteers, and even the staff who manage all the amazing things happening in ASP land. I am left amazed at the things I get to witness within the special culture here. I hope sharing this transformative journey with you all evokes some similar feelings, too. Stay tuned and see where the path leads me this week as the journey of ASP continues!
Until next time readers,
Josh Adams
Story Gathering Intern
