Date of Award

2020

Degree Name

Curriculum and Instruction

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

Ed.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Dr. Eric Lassiter, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Campbell

Third Advisor

Dr. Carol Smith

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to capture the history, atmosphere, and experience of HOPE (Housing Outreach Project Express). Charleston Catholic High School’s HOPE is a story of service and learning put into action. For 25 years, Charleston Catholic students, teachers, administrators, and alumni have been involved in home renovation projects for fellow West Virginians in need. Since 2005, this service has been focused on the families of Clay County, and during the past 12 years, 124 families in Clay County have warmer, safer, and drier homes as a result of HOPE. HOPE is the call to build a just society and to live lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. This study will focus on the foundational beliefs of this project and its growth, the evolution of HOPE (often reflective of the transformation of many of its participants), and how it leads to a defined service learning experience with tradition and clarity of purpose. Through personal narrative and reflection, the feelings and memories associated with the founders and participants of HOPE tell a story of hard work, action, outreach, and love representative of the people of West Virginia. While the lives touched and affected by HOPE are too numbered and far too widespread to ever be accounted for in their entirety, this study seeks to collect a portion of those stories as snapshots, culminating in a scrapbook of HOPE.

Subject(s)

Service learning -- West Virginia.

Private schools -- West Virginia.

Charleston Catholic High School (W.Va.)

Christian education of young people -- West Virginia.

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