For many parents and guardians of young children in distressed Appalachian communities, proper dental care is an afterthought, if thought of at all. The result is not surprising, as children in Appalachia experience high rates of dental cavities compared to children...
News & Blogs
Poverty Alleviation in America: Understanding the Problem and the Solutions
In 2023, the official poverty rate in the U.S. was 11.1%, meaning more than 36 million Americans were living in poverty, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s nearly one in every nine people facing daily challenges to meet basic needs like food,...
Americans Helping Americans® – Hero of the Month: Rene’ Steele
In 2002, René Steele, her husband Robert, their four children, and a few friends founded the Labor of Love Mission (LOLM) from their home in Tiptop, an unincorporated community in Tazewell County, Virginia. Their first initiative, “Christmas Families” (later renamed...
Congratulations to our Want2Work Grads!
Empowering Futures: How Americans Helping Americans® Grant Funds Made a Lasting Impact for Recent High School Graduates In July 2023, Americans Helping Americans® announced its new Want2Work (W2W) initiative, providing vocational and technical schools within...
Who Are the Appalachian People?
The term Appalachian people refers to the residents of the Appalachian region, a landscape defined by its rolling mountains, winding hollows, and rich coal seams but also celebrated for its vibrant traditions, strong community ties, and resilient spirit. This area has...
In Remembrance of Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Memorial Day is when the nation remembers and honors those men and women of the United States Armed Forces who died in service to their country and here at Americans Helping Americans®, we wish to commemorate those fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate price to keep...
Making Summer Magic Happen for Kids in Appalachia
As summer approaches, children across the country eagerly anticipate days spent swimming, exploring, and enjoying family vacations. But for many kids in Appalachia, the season often brings isolation, long days spent indoors with limited stimulation and little...
Transforming Hearts and Minds in Rural Tennessee: The Impact of One Grant at Bean Station Elementary
“Happy Minds Happy Kids” For the 2024-2025 academic year, Americans Helping Americans® awarded $4,000 American Helping Teacher grants to four educators at schools in Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee with high percentages of low-income students participating in the...
No Child Hungry This Summer: Feeding Hope in Appalachia
While summer brings joy and freedom for many children, it also brings a troubling gap in food access for thousands across Appalachia. Americans Helping Americans® is proud to partner with two incredible grassroots organizations to launch summer feeding...
Appalachian Poverty: Causes, Impact, and Solutions
The Appalachian Mountains are home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. Yet, they also hold a truth that is difficult to comprehend. Nearly 14.3% of the region’s residents live below the poverty line, a rate higher than the national...
Rebuilding Hope in Appalachia: Community‑Led Home Repairs Turn Unsafe Houses into Safe Havens
In towns across Appalachia, where economic hardship runs deep, homes are being made habitable once again, and lives are being quietly transformed. “She never asked for help—but received it anyway.” —On Santana’s return to a safe home One of those lives belongs to...
A single blanket can help save a life
Earlier this year, historic floodwaters tore through rural Appalachian communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia, leaving devastation in their wake. Families were forced from their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs, seeking...