The Maytown Center

The Purpose:

Believing that all people are created by God, the Maytown Center is a place where people of different ages, faiths expressions, backgrounds, families and incomes bring about good in the community by helping each other unlock the potential God has given each of them through volunteer opportunities, community activities, working together on community projects, and learning together in various classes.

The Past:

The facility which houses the Maytown Center has been a place of learning since 1926.  It got its start as the Maytown School, where it not only housed grades K-12, but a host of memories.  It ended its public school years as Maytown Elementary School in 1996 when the School Board consolidated all town schools.  Maytown is a small town where much of the life of the community centered on the shared experience of the school.  When the school closed, a strong tie that held the community together was severed.

Birth of the Maytown Center:

The Maytown School property, which was left in severe disrepair, were sold in the summer of 1999 to Father Ralph Beiting, the founder of the Christian Appalachian Project.  Renovations changed the School in to the Community Center. The "school house", which included an auditorium, became offices, a fitness center, a lending library and dorm rooms for work groups. The "Lunchroom" became the Gathering Place where everything from reunions to mentoring programs were held. The basketball  gym continued to be a place to grab a game of three on three or host a birthday party.  A playground, walking track, and picnic shelter which were gifts from the county were completed in 2001.  Town folk came and cleaned, cooked for workers, sewed curtains, and raised monies for repairs, including $40,000 for new roof on the main building & Gym. Thanks to God and the donations of time and money many programs and events were started, such as an after-school mentoring program, a fitness center, community concerts, and a weekly teen events.  Many community members took ownership in the Maytown Center by volunteering to teach classes, clean, help with maintenance, and share their talents.

The Present:

The Maytown Center is still going strong after 10 years. Some programs like the after-school mentoring program and the teen events are ongoing. Some like the fitness center became small private businesses and then have reverted to Center programming. A partnership with the Louisville Kentucky ministry CrossRoads Missions has brought over 600 people a year to Floyd County to repair homes and build relationships with the people here. The flood of Spring 2009 took a big toll on the Maytown Center property. We lost our volunteer trailer used for housing.  We also lost the basketball gym a little bit of heart is missing because of it. But still we persevere. 

The Future:

Only God really knows what the future will bring for the Maytown Center. Our plans include continuing our great programming for kids and teens which includes summer camps, mountain biking and mentoring programs. More and more there seems to be a great emphasis on health and fitness here at the Center for adults and students.

A faith-based family counseling center is offered under the license of Terrie Harris-Back. Our hope is for that to grow and help us better impact our community.

It is not uncommon forsomeone to come in the door looking for something--home repairs, help with their weight, something to keep their kids busy, a place to have a birthday party. Whatever it is, we pray that throught teh grace of God and the help of people all over the country our doors and our hearts will always be open to them.

We Believe:
All people are given great potential & uniquely created and gifted by God

Our Hope:  Through our programs, community connections with individuals and like-minded organizations, we can help unlock that great potential.

Our Staff

Daniel Chauncy-Director.

Daniel is not only the head of the Maytown Center but also the hands and feet. In his ten years in Maytown he has done everything from digging up sewer lines to patching roofs and everything in between. But his heart is working with teens and showing them the love of God. He loves to mountain bike and play Ultimate Frisbee. He is married to Beth and has two lovely daughters, Corianna and Maggie.

Interested in Joining the Team?  We have full-time volunteer opportunities for a Facility & Project Manager and Youth Worker.  Please contact Dan for more information.

Click here for a FACT SHEET

Click here for information on our YOUTH PROGRAMS

Interested in seeing how we handle our money?  Click here for our 990 form.