Appalachian Ministries

Appalachian Ministries (AM) began in the ‘70s when a group of UC students went out into the communities surrounding the university and saw the great needs of young people all around them.

Under the leadership of the AM Director, student leaders head up teams of UC students and go out to multiple AM locations on a weekly basis. Students work with children and youth, leading them in recreation, crafts, music, and Bible lessons; providing them with food; and aiming to connect them and their families with a local church.

Students who work with AM are often astonished by the unexpected emotional and spiritual rewards of their service. Additionally, those who participate in Appalachian Ministries can count their participation as community service hours, which all UC students need to graduate.

Some Things We Offer

• Weekly Outreach: Monday – Wednesday approximately between 4-7pm (This is due to change.)
• Shoes for the Soul: Shoes for the Soul is an annual event hosted by Cumberlands as a way to serve the community and children within the Whitley County area. Every year as school begins, Shoes for the Soul assists hundreds of children by providing new shoes, socks, and backpacks filled with school supplies. For more information regarding this event go to: ucumberlands.edu/shoes4soul
• Youth Mentoring Program: UC students volunteer their time to take on a youth aged student as they are going from middle school to high school. This program is designed to help improve the student's academic achievement and self-esteem. The relationships that are built through this program end up lasting a life-time.