Thirty-three teens and 15 chaperones of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham traveled to Paintsville, Ky., from June 16 to 22 for the parish’s 16th annual Teen Appalachia Mission Trip. The team worked with Good Neighbors, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that serves the working poor in Johnson County.
Good Neighbors arranges work sites for the team each summer. Local families the team serves do not receive government assistance. People in need contacted Good Neighbors for help repairing homes or putting on needed additions. In return, recipients are required to undergo financial training in budgeting and saving. They often help others in their community.
This year’s projects included roof and foundation repair, siding, building decks, drywalling, and replacing flooring.
The team builds bonds with the families, often having meals together and getting to know them and their stories. The experience is life-changing for the families and volunteers.
“This trip allows our teens to foster relationships and grow in our God-given mission to care for our sisters and brothers in need,” St. Joseph Youth Director Mark Tosso said. “The mission develops community within our parish and connects us all to new friends and wonderful families in Kentucky.”
Abby Cirillo, a senior at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, said the mission trip “opened doors to new friends, experiences, and life lessons. Hearing the families’ stories helped us realize what’s truly important in life and what a difference we are making for them. We are thankful for the support of our parish and community to give us this transformative opportunity.”
Daun Forester, a parent volunteer and Chester resident, said the teen missionaries “rose to the challenge.”
“They knew they were going to a world quite different from the one they had grown accustomed to. Yet, with a smile and the love of Christ, they ministered to several families who needed help and hope. What they did, they did out of love and not out of obligation,” Forester said.
