By Cherry Dumaual

Twenty-six volunteers from New Fairfield spent a week helping to build a home for a family and make renovations to three other houses in Carter County, Tennessee—part of the Appalachian region, where poverty rates remain high, especially in former coal-mining communities. The annual summer mission trip is organized by the Congregational Church of New Fairfield (CCNF).

“It’s our 23rd trip,” said Pastor Liz Yoho of CCNF. “Every year, CCNF members and I join more than 9,500 volunteers from 400 churches who converge in Appalachia to help repair and build homes for families in need.”

CCNF partners with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a nonprofit founded in 1969 by Rev. Glenn “Tex” Evans. ASP’s mission is to make homes in Central Appalachia “warmer, safer, and drier.” Each year, more than 15,000 volunteers from across the country repair homes for over 350 low-income families in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia.

The New Fairfield team departed on Saturday, June 28, in four rented vans. CCNF fielded four crews, each consisting of two adult leaders and four or five student volunteers. The entire trip was funded through community fundraising efforts, including the second annual Mac & Chili Cook-Off and three car wash events.

The group stayed in Elizabethton, TN, sleeping on cots and air mattresses in school classrooms. Participants ranged from high school and college to adult members of the congregation who simply enjoy the opportunity to serve.

Building from the Ground Up

CCNF leader Ms. Stephanie Shaughnessy, winner of the church’s recent chili contest, described this year’s mission simply: rebuilding homes. The homes the CCNF crews worked on are still being rebuilt after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene last year.

“This year we had several young adult leaders. I was fortunate to lead our crew with two of them. Their previous experience and leadership skills helped to bond our crew, which included two new youth, quickly. We had conversations which were both light and meaningful relating to religion, career ideas, etc., while we worked on a deck and ramp for a couple who had lost their home in the hurricane last September. The camaraderie felt by all made the heat bearable and the week really flew by.”

Mr. Will Anderson, one of the adult volunteers from CCNF, shared his perspective. “Participating in this project gives our youth firsthand experience helping families who don’t have the resources or insurance to recover from hardship. They’ll never look at the disadvantaged the same way again. This experience is why I step away from my work for two weekends and the full workweek we spend on-site.”

Youth Leaders Share Their Perspective

Youth leaders Ms. Taylor Albert and Mr. Christian Slomba also shared why they’re passionate about the project and the importance of youth involvement.

Ms. Albert said, “There’s a reason so many of us keep coming back—we’ve caught the ‘bug.’ It’s one thing to say you understand what people are going through but seeing it and hearing their stories opens your eyes. Over eight summers, I’ve grown from a high school freshman to an adult leader, and I’ve seen people of all ages grow in confidence. One homeowner said it best: ‘You may not be here to see the finished product, but without your work, there’d be no hope to even begin.’”

Mr. Slomba added, “The youth grow so much on these trips—from hands-on construction skills to the eye-opening experience of seeing the poverty homeowners face. I started going in 2017 as a youth myself, and now as an adult leader, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the experience is. I still remember how sobering it was to see the condition of a homeowner’s house that first year. It’s the same for newcomers every time. Alongside empathy, they gain real-world skills and confidence—it’s amazing to watch that transformation over the week.” 

Volunteers Welcomed Home with Gratitude—and Help

Service doesn’t end when the vans roll back into town. As Pastor Yoho noted, “We always encourage families and congregation members to support the mission in their own way. When our volunteers return, there’s a lot to do—including cleaning the vans!”

Parents and church members were ready. Armed with vacuum cleaners, brooms, garbage bags, and paper towels, they showed up to welcome the returning team and tidy up the four rented vehicles.

Mr. William Kulp, the father of Ms. Angela Kulp, a four-time volunteer, helps clean the vans when the volunteers return. He shared what it meant to see his daughter serve, “I’m so glad Angela had this opportunity. She has learned so much in such a short period of time by seeing things with her own eyes and listening to the homeowners’ struggles. She knows the best gift is helping those in need. We are so proud of her.”

Ms. Kulp reflected, “Everyone worked hard and pitched in. We partnered with a local church, and hearing their stories about the day Hurricane Helene hit made it even more meaningful. It was powerful to see people of all ages come together to help someone in need. I encourage others to get involved—there’s nothing more life-changing than giving hope. Even if we don’t see the finished house, I know I played a role in building it.”

Serving Locally, Too

Pastor Yoho emphasized that CCNF’s mission extends well beyond its annual trip to Appalachia. “Our Mission Team keeps the congregation engaged with local needs, too.”

Throughout the year, CCNF supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations in the New Fairfield and Danbury areas. A partial list includes:

Dorothy Day Hospitality House, which provides meals for the homeless and working poor

Ann’s Place, a nonprofit serving cancer patients in Connecticut and the Hudson Valley

ARC (the Association of Religious Communities) Comida Food Pantry

New Fairfield Food Pantry

New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare

Reflecting on CCNF’s mission, both the trip and in general, Pastor Yoho remarked, “It isn’t just about rebuilding houses—it’s about building character, compassion, and community. Whether serving in Appalachia or here in New Fairfield, we believe in showing up for people in need. Every hammer swing, every meal served, every mile driven is a reflection of our faith in action.”