The Appalachia Volunteers program is committed to working
with the people of the United
States who are marginalized.
Our mission throughout the year is the following:
To
learn about the structural and societal realities in the United States
that leaves some people impoverished and marginalized.
To
discuss the injustices that create entrenched poverty
To
consider a theological and faith perspective on social justice, and
To
participate in local service opportunities throughout the year.
This yearlong process culminates in an annual spring break
trip to struggling regions of the United States.With these goals and our work, the Appalachia
program seeks to build a better future by entering into solidarity with the
people who are poor in Boston
and beyond.
History
The Appalachia Volunteers of
Boston College was founded by Gregg Cassin in 1978 as the BC Appalachian
Volunteers Group. Gregg and 11 other Boston College students traveled to Vanceburg, KY over their February break to serve the
community there. The group lived simply with the people of
Vanceburg, working long days and spending the evenings getting to know
each other and their hosts. The BC Appalachian Volunteers Group
offered one of the first reflective, immersion service experiences in
the country.
Today, the Appalachia Volunteers of Boston College has expanded to include
more than 650 volunteers spread throughout 36 different locations
within the Appalachian region, making it the largest spring break
service organization in the United States. Despite the large
number of participants, the program strives to deliver the same
fulfilling experience to volunteers while serving an even bigger
population in the Appalachian region and beyond.