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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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...