Backpack Ministry

Levanta Inc,initially called the Backpack Ministry, entre, about 25 years ago, started as a partnership with the local Catholic Church, Jesus our Savior and the Morehead Methodist church on recognizing a growing Hispanic population in our community. Father Jay Van Horn, a diocesan bilingual priest, and Sonata Bohen, a bilingual missionary began by making visits to local worksites and homes of Hispanic workers, predominantly in local

sawmills and tobacco farms. They began advocacy to secure humane housing and reached out to address adequate housing, health care and spiritual support.

In 2018 it became incorporated and a 5013C organization.

Working with refugee and immigrant populations who are recognized as vulnerable populations.

Though this ministry has existed for over 25 years, this is a recent focus due to present immigration situation. The primary focus of this ministry is on the local refugee and immigrant community in our town and surrounding counties in Eastern Kentucky

Counties served include: Rowan, Bath, Carter, Montgomery, Mason, Fleming.