Global Citizens Network (GCN) Project Site:
Lucky Fork, Owsley County, KENTUCKY
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An Appalachian Community
Owsley County was formed in 1843. It is located in the Eastern Coal Field region of the state, which stretches from the Appalachian Mountains westward across the Cumberland Plateau to the Pottsville Escarpment. Strip mining and logging are some of the industry in the area, with little other income opportunity available. Owsley County is the poorest county in Kentucky; the 7 th poorest in the U.S. "Men, women, boys and girls - each possessing the hardy individualism and sterling qualities necessary to a pioneer spirit - crossed the rugged Appalachian mountains to fight disease, misfortune, and wild animals. When they reached the hunting ground favored by the Indians - a land of legend - they liked it."
-Joyce Wilson, This was Yesterday: A Romantic History of Owsley County
Global Citizens Network was invited to work with the Board of Faith Hill Community Center, a non-profit organization committed to restoring the community and cultural center of the county. As their primary focus, the Board is restoring a Log Church, Log House and Log Hospital that was built in Lucky Fork in the 1930’s by missionaries from Pennsylvania. After the war, people moved out of the area seeking employment elsewhere, and the buildings and area were abandoned. 14 years ago several community members developed the non-profit organization to restore the community center and assist families in the county. Currently there is no central community because families live throughout the hills. Lucky Fork is 25 miles from the closest grocery store and restaurant located in the town of Booneville. One of the purposes of restoring the community center is to bring people together through work, in order to re-establish a sense of community and culture. For more information on the Faith Hill Community Center, please visit their website at http://www.ourfaithhill.org .
Preserving Cultural Heritage
GCN teams to Faith Hill experience a varied and busy week. Some of the projects they have worked on with community members included repairing outdoor steps, helping with a yard sale to benefit the community center, planting a new garden, cleaning the church kitchen, repairing/installing lights at the resource center, and sewing seat cushions for the church. Depending on the time of year, there are a number of future projects the Board of Faith Hill has proposed to work on with future GCN teams. These include helping with the organization and sale of donated goods to benefit the community center; building a sidewalk; repairing a fence and possibly a deck at the community center, preserving an old cemetery by cleaning it up, setting up rocks, and chiseling back dates; cleaning out and preserving the old waterfalls; building a log cabin, and many other cleaning or restoration projects. In addition, they would like assistance with grant writing, setting up a Power Point presentation and other tools to generate funds for the community center.
Travel Itinerary
Team members meet on Saturday at the airport in Lexington, Kentucky, which is two hours from Lucky Fork. The team then travels together by van to Lucky Fork. The following day, Sunday, will be spent meeting community members and participating in community affairs. Monday through Thursday the team will work with the community on any number of projects. Friday may be a day off to explore the area, with departure on Saturday.
Accommodation and Meals
Team members stay at the Manse (community building) and in the hospital where bedding is provided. There is a kitchen in the church, as well as a shelter with grills to cook out, and a bath house with separate sides for men and women. Most meals are prepared communally by the team members. The team eats together, and often shares meals with community members.
Time to Explore
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. The community is interested in sharing their skills and instruction on crafts and activities such as wood crafting, making fruit pies and drying, canning and freezing produce. There are also many hiking trails and swimming holes in the vicinity, with Buckhorn Lake 25 – 30 miles away. Or one can sit on the porch and in the quiet, listen to the whippoorwills and the wind come down the mountain.
Health Issues
Participants are required to be in sound health. Potential participants with significant physical limitations are encouraged to check with their physician and discuss the situation with GCN staff beforehand.
Costs
The program cost for this eight day trip is $975. Program costs covers on-site accommodations (lodging and meals), round trip transportation between Lexington and Lucky Fork, training materials, donation to the project, t-shirt, and a portion of the team leader’s expenses.
Airfare to Kentucky, and costs relating to activities outside of the site, are additional and the responsibility of the individual participant.
All trip related costs are tax-deductible in the U.S.
Discounts available (one per person/group)
For further information contact us
Global Citizens Network
130 N. Howell St.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 644-0960 or (800) 644-9292
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