Today, I write from the perspective of a Cape Kid’s Mom.  Just over a year ago, my son, Luke had just returned from a week-long service trip through St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chatham to Preston County, West Virginia.  Throughout this service week, he and about 35 other young people and parent chaperones helped the people of Preston County with home repair (most absolutely necessary) as well as support within their community.  When Luke returned, he expressed that he couldn’t wait to go back next year.  I truly saw a different young man come back on July 1, 2015 than the kid that left on June 25, 2015.  I had to know more.

When the time arose for sign-ups for the Appalachia Help weeks for 2016, Luke asked me if I would be willing to chaperone.  Did my 17-year-old son really want to spend a week with Mom?!?!?  I was jumping on this opportunity before he could even finish the question!  I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but as the week approached, I was starting to get really excited.  So I took the shopping list and went out and purchased all of my tools, proper clothing, gear, air mattress, etc. Luke had this part down and worried about it all the day before we left.  I, on the other hand, prepared for weeks.  As June 26, 2016 arrived, I thought..here we go!  After mass at St. Patrick’s, the vans and cars were loaded and off we went on the six-hour ride to Preston County, West Virginia.  As we arrived in the town of Rowlesburg, I instantly noticed the poverty and simple living.  I wondered to myself how these teenagers from Chatham and it’s surrounding areas were going to handle this.  Were they judging?  Scared?  Nervous?

Well let me tell you, this was a life-changing week for me!  Not only was my 46-year old self changed from the stories of the people of Rowlesburg and it’s surrounding towns but what really blew my mind was these youngsters.  I was so incredibly blown away with their passion, excitement, relationships with each other and teamwork, but most importantly THEIR COMPASSION!  Their tolerance, acceptance and LOVE for the people that we helped was nothing short of amazing!  I watched boys and girls working together with adults to make the lives of these amazing people in West Virginia better.

They worked hard physically (who knew these boys and girls were so handy with saws, hammers, nail guns, sheet rock, roofing, etc…), but the emotional connections that they made with the people at the homes where they “worked” was just incredible.  The friendships they have made with people so completely “different” from them yet so very much the same warms my heart.  As they reflected each night on their days of work, each and every story was just incredible.  There is no question that all of these teens came back different from when they left but after 2 years of my son, Luke really putting it all out there emotionally and physically for others I can honestly say that he not only “wears the cape” but I believe it will be a permanent part of his wardrobe.

This crazy world that we live in these days constantly is rearing it’s ugly head of bullying, racism, inequality, profiling and unfortunately I could go on and on…but the change starts with the young people in this world.  I can only hope that the good work that Luke and his peers are doing will be infectious and this Cape Kid will take his cape and run with it!  I couldn’t be more proud of my very own Cape Kid!

xo  Ann Ciccarelli