Appalachia Service Project (ASP) — Organization Profile
Appalachia Service Project is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on making homes warmer, safer, and drier for families in Central Appalachia through volunteer home repair and replacement. Commonly known as ASP, the organization describes itself as a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through home repair and replacement. Since 1969, ASP has connected volunteers with families whose homes need critical repairs, accessibility improvements, or replacement after disaster or severe deterioration.
ASP is based in Johnson City, Tennessee, and serves communities across Central Appalachia, with work connected to Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Western North Carolina, and other Appalachian communities where ASP operates seasonal and year-round programs. Its ministry focuses on low-income homeowners and families living in substandard housing, while also providing structured service opportunities for youth, college students, adults, churches, and community volunteers from across the country.
The organization’s work is rooted in both construction and relationships. ASP volunteers complete repairs to roofs, floors, walls, foundations, bathrooms, porches, ramps, and other parts of homes that affect safety, sanitation, warmth, and accessibility. In some locations, ASP also builds new homes when existing homes are beyond repair or when families are recovering from disasters. The organization’s stated vision is the eradication of substandard housing in Central Appalachia and the transformation of everyone who comes in contact with the ministry.
ASP operates through several volunteer pathways. Youth mission trips, adult mission trips, college alternative break trips, service-area volunteer opportunities, and individual volunteer options allow people with varying skill levels to serve. During a mission trip, volunteers complete home repair projects, build relationships with homeowners and community members, learn about Appalachian culture and history, and participate in a service experience shaped by Christian faith, humility, and respect for local communities.
The ministry also includes year-round critical home repair, new build work, disaster recovery and rebuild efforts, Helping Hands construction support, and cultural education resources. ASP maintains permanent centers and hubs that support ongoing work outside the summer season, including field operations in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Its disaster recovery work has included rebuilding efforts following flooding and storm damage in Appalachian communities.
People can engage with Appalachia Service Project by registering a volunteer group, serving as an individual volunteer, applying for seasonal staff or fellowship opportunities, supporting disaster recovery, donating financially, purchasing ASP merchandise, praying for Appalachian families and volunteers, or helping homeowners connect with services. ASP also provides cultural resources so volunteers and supporters can better understand the region’s history, strengths, challenges, and communities before and after serving.
Key Links
- Website: https://asphome.org/
- About: https://asphome.org/about/
- Volunteer Opportunities: https://asphome.org/opportunities/
- Register: https://asphome.org/register/
- Apply for Services: https://asp.servicenetwork.com/aspire/homerepair/
- Help After Disaster: https://asphome.org/helpafterdisaster/
- Cultural Resources: https://asphome.org/cultural-resources/
- Staff and Board: https://asphome.org/ourstaff/
- Give: https://asphome.org/give
- Contact: https://asphome.org/contact/
Contact Information
- Phone: 423-854-8800
- Phone: 800-289-4254
- Phone: 866-607-4433
- Mailing address: 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appservproject
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appservproject/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/appalachia-service-project/
- X: https://twitter.com/appservproject
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AppServProject
Leadership
- Melisa Winburn — President/CEO
- John O. Pearce — Board Chair
- Mike LaRock — Board Vice-Chair
- Ken Landers — Board Secretary
- Derek Kolich — Vice President of Field Operations
- Kristina Rowles — Vice President of Seasonal Programs
- Jane Cheema — Director of Spiritual Programs
- Hunter Greene — Director of Volunteer Management
- Dave Kelley — Senior Vice President for Donor Engagement
- Allie Acevedo — Director of Volunteer Recruitment
