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Appalachia -- A Vision of Hope for Youth and Families
The Appalachian region -- a 200,000 square-mile area containing 399 counties in 13 states -- is one of the most impoverished regions in the United States. Of the 55 counties in W. Virginia, Barbour County, the site of World Vision's office in Appalachia, is among the five most under-resourced counties in a state that always ranks in the bottom tier of the country's economic scale."Here it's not only low income," says Ruston Seaman,World Vision director in Appalachia. "It's also about the absence of opportunities.There are few opportunities for far too many kids here."
World Vision’s ministry reaches into 26 of the state’s 55 counties, with community development in five north-central areas. Most of these areas struggle because of the closure of coal mines that once provided steady employment. When the mines began closing in the 1960s, the companies that owned the mines -- and the towns -- abandoned the company stores that previously served the communities.
Town residents, many whose families had lived there for generations, were left with no jobs and few resources. Many were too poor to own cars, so moving was difficult. And the pervasive value placed on family discouraged others from moving to find work. Many who lacked education because they assumed they'd spend their lives working in the mines had no other choice. They weren't qualified for other jobs.
To empower the people of Appalachia, World Vision partners with World Servants and Appalachia Community CARE. Community development and hope are being built through Vision Youth, the Storehouse, and Tools for Transformation.
How You Can Help
You can be part of this life-changing work. Your church youth group is invited to particiate in transformation in West Virginia, where communities welcome partners to join them as they work to improve theirlives. For more information on youth summer Vision Trips, call 1-800-877-5919.
Here's what your donation can do:
- $30,000 provides a year of funding for a Youth Outreach Worker, who can be a stable, caring influence in youths’ lives.
- $10,000 buys a forklift for the Storehouse.
- $495 provides a child a year of tutoring.
| Read more about Appalachia's programs by clicking on the links below. |
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| Vision Youth Help provide tutoring, life skills training, and a caring relationship to high-risk youth. | | ||
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| The Storehouse Provide school supplies, clothes, toys, household goods and building supplies for strengthening families,schools and neighborhoods. | | ||
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| Tools for Transformation Help provide the organizational, planning and leadership tools to transform a neighborhood. | | ||
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