Brendan Flanagan and Reilly naming names

I've been participating in the Appalachia Help Weeks for over 10 years now. It's become a cherished part of my life because every year it gives me a week-long opportunity to reflect on and deepen my faith while also living out the call to service. The long days of hard work followed by evening group discussions and prayer allow me to truly be present and focus, both physically and spiritually. By connecting with the homeowners and other members of the trip, I've been blessed with countless new friendships and encountered powerful new perspectives on life. This service trip is a unique opportunity to witness the power of God's love first-hand as we work alongside the members of the Catholic Church of Preston County to help our brothers and sisters in need. I will continue to participate in the Appalachia Help Weeks as long as I'm able, and I highly encourage anyone that's even remotely interested to take the leap and sign up. You receive back even more than you give, multiple times over.

Kieran Flanagan, Jr.

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ

I have now participated in the Appalachia Help Weeks three times, and the reason why I keep coming back is because of the relationships that I make while I’m there - not only with the homeowners, but with the other volunteers and with God. The most important thing in life is human connection and being able to love another. The Appalachia Help Weeks are very special to me because being trusted by someone in a vulnerable position to take care of their home is truly a gift and a lesson in love. My reward each year is the ability to live out my passion for helping others while growing in faith with and through the people around me. I encourage everyone to go experience this!

Samantha Losacco

St. Patrick Church

Chatham, NJ

Throughout my life, especially in high school, I have had the opportunity to go on many immersion trips and spiritual formation experiences. My recent participation in the Appalachia Help Weeks was such an unexpectedly profound experience. I went to West Virginia with my high school two years ago, and it didn’t compare to this trip. It helped that three of my best friends were there with me, but that wasn’t the element that made this experience so memorable. It was the faith formation aspect that reinforced and built many truths I now hold. I realize now that the physical work we did matters little compared to the relationships we built. I had such a wonderful time. My love for traveling has been reinforced once again, but especially in traveling to the margins because that is where God’s people sing the loudest.

Liam Prucher

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ

In 2024, I went on my first Appalachia Help Week simply because my pastor, Father George, asked me to go. I knew nobody else on the trip and was anxious because I did not know what to expect. That quickly changed when I arrived and was welcomed with open arms, not only by my fellow volunteers but also by the people of Rowlesburg. Juanita and Rusty, on whose house our group was installing a metal roof, inspired me to see God in the people of Appalachia and taught me that this trip is much more than just physical labor. Above all, it is about connection. I just got back from my third service trip, and I am looking forward to many more to come.

J.P. Ochiagha

St. Gerard Church

Paterson, NJ

The Appalachia Helps Weeks Program has become much more than just a service trip to me. This experience has allowed me to grow in my faith and better understand how to live it out in my everyday life. It has also changed the way I see the world around me, helping me recognize God in every moment. While this trip has made a positive impact on the people of Preston County, it has also had a lasting impact on me. As we work to restore the community, I find myself building a stronger sense of community with the people around me and seeing God in our everyday actions.

Laurel Donohue

St. Pius X Church

Montville, NJ

Volunteering for the Appalachia Help Week was a deeply moving experience and a powerful reminder of what it means to live out my Catholic faith. I came to serve others, but I quickly realized how much I would receive in return. Seeing the hardships that families continue to face opened my eyes to Christ’s call to serve those in need. What touched me most was the gratitude of the people we helped. Their kindness reminded me that even small acts of service can reflect God’s love. I truly felt Christ’s presence in the smiles and generosity of those we met, and I am grateful for everyone who made this week possible. Watching people unite in faith and service was a beautiful example of the Church at its best. I came to Appalachia thinking I was there to help others, but God used this experience to change my heart as well.

Dave Chapin

Our Lady of the Angels Church

Scottsdale, AZ

The Appalachia Help Week changed my outlook on life in ways I never expected. I am a lifelong Madison, New Jersey native, and at 86 years old, I have learned that we are never too old to grow or change. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of what faith in action truly means. I returned home realizing that every person has a story, and sometimes all they need is someone willing to understand and help. The experience made me reflect on my own life and the importance of letting go of judgment and making room for understanding. My new philosophy is simple: forgive and forget, because compassion and understanding can change both the person receiving them and the person giving them. I am deeply grateful to Certain Place Ministries and everyone who shared this journey with me. I have been reminded that it is never too late to make a difference!

Pat Giordano

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ

I'm not sure that I have ever encountered the abundance of God's love and His presence among us as I did during my week in Rowlesburg. It could be felt in the enthusiasm and willingness to learn in the teens, in the sharing of lifes' experiences with the homeowner, in the patience and generosity of the professionals who made up our team, in the reflections we all shared everyday and in the beauty and power of nature. The week felt too short. It filled me up in a way that no other experience has. With God's grace, I'll be back.

Bridget Breyfogle

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ

I’ve never experienced anything like the Appalachia Help Weeks. Every time I arrive, it feels like coming home. The homeowners all have such interesting life stories and are so kind and welcoming. They are the ones that make this trip feel like home. My favorite part, however, is the nightly reflections when I feel closer to God and feel my faith strengthen. I think it’s so inspiring to be surrounded by a group of people who are truly just good and want to make a difference in someone’s life. We start as strangers but by the end of the week, the stranger in each other disappears, and we become family who are part of something bigger then ourselves. The connections and kindness that I see happening in Appalachia feel rare in today’s world, and it’s such a beautiful thing to witness. After spending a week in Appalachia, I always feel refreshed. The week helps ground me and reminds me of what’s most important in life. I’m so grateful for this program because it is so much more than just repairing peoples houses.

Olivia Sachs

St. Patrick Church

Chatham, NJ

I very much enjoyed my first experience with Appalachia Help Weeks, but my second trip was even more meaningful. Going into the week, I felt more relaxed because I knew what to expect. I understood the sleeping arrangements, the rules, and the general schedule, which allowed me to focus more on the experience itself. One of the highlights for me has been watching my children experience Appalachia. Seeing my son work alongside a group of young men renovating an entire bathroom was awesome. More awesome was spotting my son smiling in conversation with our homeowner. My daughters have been attending the Appalachia Help Weeks for years and look forward to the trip every summer. Their experiences in The Appalachia have inspired them to continue participating in campus ministry, retreats, and service trips while in college.

The Appalachia Help Weeks have become a special tradition for my family. The experience gives me an opportunity to help others, build lasting friendships, strengthen my Catholic Faith and learn lessons that extend far beyond a single week of service.

Jamie Voccola

St. Vincent Martyr Church

Madison, NJ

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

― Teresa of Avila

A 501(c) 3 Nonprofit Corporation