Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA)

Site Description:

Big Creek People In Action, Inc. (BCPIA) was founded in 1990 by citizens of McDowell County, West Virginia to address family, community and economic concerns in the area. Since that time, this nonprofit organization has been serving the community of McDowell County in the realms of early childhood development, education and literacy, leadership development, volunteer service, arts and culture, housing, recreation, and collaborative partnerships. Its mission is to “foster a community in which people learn, work, play, and grow together and prepare themselves for success in the 21st Century”. BCPIA's vision of McDowell County is one of empowered and self-sufficient people living in communities that are economically vibrant, democratic, and socially just. Immersion into the local community is important, and students will often work on projects alongside local families and those they are serving. There are opportunities to attend services at a number of local churches of various denominations.

Site Resources:

www.bigcreekpeopleinaction.org
http://socialconcerns.nd.edu/academic/fall/documents/bigcreekpowerpoint.ppt

Site Contact:

We discourage students from directly contacting the site; all reservations are made through the Center for Social Concerns. Further emergency contact information will be provided to students upon enrollment in the seminar.
Marsha Timpson: marshatimpson@hotmail.com; 304-875-3418

Lodging:

Students do not need to bring their own bedding, as beds are provided with linens. Showers are provided.

Travel:

Students will travel to the site on Sunday, October 16, and will return the following Friday, October 21.

Personal Expenses:

Students must pay for their own meals while they travel from Notre Dame to the site on Sunday and back to Notre Dame from the site on Friday or Saturday. Students are requested to bring enough money to pay for these 2–3 meals, and it is also suggested that students bring extra spending money for personal purchases during their immersion. The availability of ATMs varies with each site, and so in the interest of avoiding fees or running out of money, it is suggested that students have a reasonable amount of cash on hand before the immersion

Meals:

Students will use Center credit cards to purchase groceries and prepare their own meals and may want to bring one or two meals with them, as the local supermarket is closed on Sunday.