Interview with Maurice Mercier, March 7, 1991

Interview Summary

In this second interview with Maurice "Mo" Mercier, he discusses the Christian Appalachian Project programs that were running at the time of the transition to the current management team structure. He talks about the group homes, the home for children with disabilities, and the spouse abuse program and their structures at that time. Mercier talks about Christian Appalachian Project's retreat center in Mount Vernon, Kentucky and why it was later converted into the center for the family life services program. Mercier talks about the issues with the early counseling services offered by Christian Appalachian Project and how their services improved with the hiring of professional counselors. He talks about the issues that arose during the transition between the early programs and the more professional programs. He talks about Christian Appalachian Project's plans for the future and how their plans strive to maintain consistency through use of a team-oriented approach rather than single individuals running each program. Mercier talks about how some of the areas that Christian Appalachian Project services have changed in the past ten years, focusing especially on Berea, Kentucky. He talks about how their new approach is more structured and planned, but still maintains CAP's original mission.

Interview Keyword

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Christians in Appalachia Religion Children. Families. Spousal abuse. Group homes Foster home care. Residential programs Spouse abuse programs Mount Vernon (Ky.) Family life services Professional counseling Professionalization Management

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Appalachian Region--Social conditions Christian Appalachian Project Mercier, Maurice Mercier, Maurice--Interviews Social service, Rural Appalachia. Communities. Community life. Community Community-based family services. Community-based social services. Social work. Counseling.

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.