Hello everyone! From Connecticut to Virginia, my name is Cassidy Smith, and I will be one of the 2026 Story Gathering Interns this summer. I’m a rising senior at the University of Connecticut, and I could not be more excited to join Summer Staff this year.
Although this is my first summer on staff, ASP has already been a huge part of my life. I’ve spent past summers as a volunteer, swinging hammers, painting walls, and making unforgettable memories with my church family. I remember last summer in Knott County working on a shed for a family. Our staffers told us we probably wouldn’t be able to finish the whole thing during our week of service, but my team leader was determined to complete the shed by the end of the week. With the power of faith and determination, we did finish it with a couple of hours to spare. It was one of the best feelings to finish a project for a homeowner. But this summer I’m trading in some of the tools for a camera, notebook, and microphone as I help capture the stories that make ASP so special.
What excites me most is getting to meet people from all different places and hear the moments that stick with them long after the week is over; the laughter during evening gatherings, the connections formed on worksites, stories being shared on the front porch, and the impact that comes from serving alongside each other. ASP is about so much more than home repairs; it’s about relationships, community, and the memories that keep people coming back.
I’m so excited to dive deep this summer, listening, learning, and sharing those stories. I can’t wait to see where the roads of Appalachia will lead me, the people I’ll meet along the way, and all the moments that will make this summer memorable forever.
Until the next adventure <3
Cassidy Smith
Story Gathering Intern
