Home.....

        Coming home has many mixed emotions for everyone on this trip, especially those who are seniors this year. It has been three weeks since we got home.... I have been stalling to write this because this brings my Kentucky trip years to a close and that makes me sad. As I sit and write this now I reflect on the past three years I have gone and it is one of those things I will never forget. I will never forget the families that I have helped, the places I have seen because of it,  or the friendships made on the trip. This trip has made a big difference in my life, it has shown me that even the smallest things in life can make a huge difference in someones life.

       Every year we come home with the feeling of accomplishment, and we feel as though we can do anything. We have learned so much about how to build new things, and we have learned new things about the people we travel with. The bonds formed on this trip will last a life time and I'm sure I can speak for everyone who went on the trip;  that this trip makes you like a family and you would do anything for them. Although a lot of us if we had the choice would choose not to leave that wonderful place, but like all great things it must come to an end and some people have to leave in order to allow another person to do amazing things. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of the trip and it is something I would encourage everyone to try at least once.

       I would like to say thanks to Kelly and Drew for making this trip possible, and I would like to thank Kelly, Drew, Antonio, Gabby, Mel, Jasmine, Nicole, Bre, Dan, and Derrick for making my last year the best it could be.... I love you guys, you are truly amazing people.

                                                    ~Amber~

Kentucky is truly one of the few things that I look forward to each year. I miss it already! The people that I went with this year have really made a difference in my life. The most humorous night was probably the night at reflection when we could not stop laughing. I think that even though we didn't stay on task we still had fun! I loved working for our lady and watching her step on the ramp the first time. This trip really made a difference in my life!

                                                                                                                               - Antonio

Back home..

So Kentucky was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I learned so many new things in just a week. I would have never believed that this trip meant so much, but now I understand. I already love youth go for all they do for the youth, but now after seeing what they do for people in different states makes me proud to know who they are. I cannot believe that Drew and Kelly took off work just to spend time with us kids, and teach us, and be there for us for a week.

Of course I am very happy to be back in Wisconsin, yet I miss Kentucky so much and i would love to go there again soon. Youth go is the best. =)

-Bre

Wooo for Wisco.

Coming back home is always bitter-sweet. Overall, I wish we would have had more time. We got the ramp done, but there is always more that we could do. I feel good about the work that we accomplished, but I didn't want to leave the people and nature behind just yet. That's how it tends to be on this trip though. It's good to be home, with the people I love and have missed. I'm ready to show everyone what I have learned and teach them that it is possible to make an impact.
-Mel.

Fare Well

           All good things must come to an end. We came here to help someone who’s in need. Our goals were to learn leadership, provide a service and most of all to be the change to someone else.  We started off as just a hammer to a nail or screws to wood, but we finished with something much better.  

            I am so thankful and honored to have been a part of these life changes. This is an important deal, and the Christian Appalachian Project people are amazing, heartwarming people to talk to and get to know. I would gladly do it all over again.

Thank you, Jasmine

Back Home

It's been a week since we got home, and it almost feels like Kentucky didn't happen. Going on this trip always opens my eyes to new experiences. This trip is so life changing and if I could go back I would in a heartbeat. Kentucky is almost a magical place. It gives everyone a new perspective on life, it brings people closer together, it brings out the best in people. I'm so thankful that I got to go, and I would like to thank everyone again who helped make this trip possible!

Gabby

Mixed Emotions...

It has been an AMAZING week here in Kentucky.  I am so unbelievably proud of team YOUTH GO!  The kids have been spectacular.  They have worked so hard, been very respectful, and been great examples of teenagers who want to make a difference in our world.

I have been able to connect with old friends from my two years of service here with CAP.  I was able to meet up with some now adults that I worked with at the Rockcastle Youth and Teen Center back in 2000-2002.  I had the chance to visit some of the teachers at Mt. Vernon Elementary School where I frequently taught character education lesson. 

I worked with five of the youth we brought down to build a 64 foot wheelchair ramp for an elderly couple.  In just 4 days we helped to heal the husband's heart by providing him with hope.  Hope that when his wife is finished healing...that he will be able to come home.  Hope that his wife of 48 years will be able to spend the remainder of her life, with him, in their home.  He has been an inspiration to me of such a beautiful devotion to his spouse and an example of unconditional love.

I must admit, I can't wait to get home and see Max, get some snuggles from our dogs, and celebrate Easter with the ones that I love most.

Thank you for following along with us this week.
It has been a much needed escape from my day to day life. 
It has helped me to refocus, to give me a refresher on the importance of service to others, to encourage me to love more deeply, and to remind me how awesome these Youth Go kids really are!

-Kelly

Hiya Viewers,
Its Dan, Kentucky is great, kinda sad to go back to Wisconsin. Today was great. Went to the worksite and finished the ramp and deck. The RED Team was amazing at our song (I Hammer And I Know It), but sadly we lost to the Blue Team, but it was still amazing! Got to go see one of Kelly's friends and her class during school. It was really cool to see all the third graders, and answer all their questions. I learned the new ARMY stance thanks to Amber. I went running and walking with Nicole, and Antonio. Well see my family and friends back in Wisconsin tomorrow can't wait!!!!

- Dan 

I'll miss Kentucky

The people in Kentucky are so sweet and caring but they weren't given the opportunities I was given back in Wisconsin. They will try and help you as much as they possibly can with the little they have. I will miss the smiling faces I pass in Kentucky everyday, I only wish I could stay longer to help more people in need. I will try to be able to come again next year to help out even more people in Kentucky. Thank you to all who made this opportunity possible, it means a lot to me and the people I helped while here.

no real reason...

Each night we get together as a group and reflect on our day. Also, each night, different kids are responsible for leading and designing the reflection. Tonight though...there was no real reason as to why we all geeeeeeked out laughing! Enjoy!

Drew

A Little Too Much Teamwork With Drew

Dear Viewer,

My crew is the Red Crew with Dan, Amber, Tony, Drew and Caitlin. Today Drew and I used a bit too much teamwork because we worked together cutting and ended up cutting at two different angles. The homeowner finally was able to walk out on the porch/deck yesterday with her adorable dog and she was proud of our work. The look on her face when she took her last step onto the deck was like a reassurance that our job was successful. We made a difference! Which is the main point of this trip, to change someone's life for the better.

The ramp and deck were finished today. So Red Crew was done early and went to help out Purple Crew. The home owner's poor dog ran away but was eventually caught.

The visuals you get from Kentucky are spectacular, from the colorful mountains to the moonlight hitting the water making beautiful flashing lights as the waves move past. I do love this place and to get away from the cars and overall street noise of Neenah, Wisconsin is great, but going home to my mother and father sounds better than anything. I will miss the morning and night views Kentucky has to offer.

Jasmine

So during this week I have managed to connect not only with myself, but with everyone else on this trip. In our purple crew we have bonded over what I thought we would have and shared our thoughts and our past while working to improve the lives of others. I am so proud of everyone here and I hope to always be close to them and see the achieve great goals in their life. Kentucky is so beautiful and amazing, I tend to think that I don't want to leave, but sadly I have to. I have don't so much here including listening to amazing musicians, hiking on a mountain, canoe, build a ramp, and much, much more. I want to continue helping people and making them happy for the rest of my life. I am absolutely blessed to have been brought to experience this wonderful adventure. Thank you, you have made me grow so much this past week.

-Bre

This Week...

I have nothing but fantastic news to say about this Kentucky trip, not only is the landscape the most beautiful scenery in the world, but the people here are the nicest most generous people. There is so much to do here and i don't want to leave but, i do miss my family and friends. Already on this trip i have listened to TWO amazing musicians including Mitch and Owen and drew; I have also gone hiking, learned about different people in different places and tried new foods. I am so blessed to have been able to come on this trip, and i hope i can come in the future years because all i want to do is help people and make others happy, which is what this trip is about.

On our work site with the purple crew (Melanie,Gabby,Nicole,Derrick, Kelly and myself) we have shared our thoughts, our past, and have bonded over what i thought would happen. I have grown so much closer to all of these people in our Youth Go trip, and i hope to keep being great friends with everyone, I have never been so happy and close to myself ever in my life. Thank you so much for helping me and others to grow and become better people on this trip.

-Bre =)

Red Team Day 3

So Yep - another great day with a great crew doing work for a great cause. Check out some pics! I hope all is well - Love ya'll! - Drew

 End of day two - Red Team - wow

 Day three starts...

 Random dog...

 Pretty little flower - to - be (purple)

 What's gonna work?   Teamwork!

 "nice story bro"

 ah..watch me as I do my cool hammer trick...perhaps the left handed hammer will work best.

 just a "bit" of live action!

 Dan-imal is rocking the last nail!

 wow - all in three days.

 Lunchtime! No, not the dog! Just chilling after lunch...with the dog, Tinker-bell.

 too cute

Drew's 30th Birthday cake! Wow, thanks ladies!

 mitch and owen were AMAZING

 my future is so bright i have to wear shades

 Awwww1

 Its a bird...its a plane...its a giant spider?

They got this!

As I sit here and type this post, all I can think about is all of the positive points hidden through my day. Purple crew has set all of the boards on our two story 64-foot-long ramp in just two days and it's truly an amazing feeling. We were able to speak to the homeowner today about his pure love and devotion to his wife and the love of his life is an inspiration. We are constructing the ramp in order to bring her home from the nursing facility, and found time to bond as a crew as we do so. The kindness and generosity of Appalachian people never fails to get to me. Later in the evening, we got a visit from musicians Mitch and Owen who blew my mind. Let's just say I am now the proud owner of a CD. I love being here, but I miss those from home that hold special places in my heart. See you soon.
-Mel.

day 2 with the purple crew...

we worked HARD today.  despite some delays due to a shortage of materials and packing up early due to a rainstorm...we reached our goal and felt quite accomplished at the end of the day.

 what the ramp looked like at the start of the day....

 and at the end of the day...

the kids got a chance to "strike a pose"

gabby.

 mel.

 nicole.

 bre.

 derrick.

 we got a great group shot with our crew leader Don after lunch

 bre wasn't afraid to get down and dirty to get the work done.

 and here is the proof!

derrick was busy cutting the boards and the girls were serious about getting all the boards down by the end of the day.

great job PURPLE crew.  you made me proud again today.

-Kelly