Opportunity and Obstacles in Appalachia

Investing in the Future

Central Appalachia is in a state of economic transition.

One of our biggestassets– our young people – are leaving the region for school and work.

The future ofAppalachia depends on emerging leaders finding a place for themselves to live, work, and thrive in their communities.

The Push and Pull of Appalachian Living

Young people from Central Appalachia grow up in communities with an average high school completion rate of 68% and a 7% college completion rate.

Roughly 17% of residents in these counties live in poverty with young people disproportionally affected.

Realities of Youth in Central Appalachia

“West Virginia will need another 20,000 college graduates by 2018 just to keep the state economy at its current level.” Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Brian Noland

For example…

Current State: A large population of non-profit leaders (i.e. executive directors, board members, etc.) are nearing retirement.

Push and Pull of: Non-Profits

We need young people to take over as leaders in the region.

There are not enough young people being engaged in these major leadership roles.

The training and mentoring of a younger generation of social justice minded individuals will continue these much needed efforts into the future.

Opportuni

ty!

Push and Pull of: BusinessesCurrent State: Money and wealth are leaving the region and 2/3 of Appalachian counties have unemployment rates higher than the national average.

It’s hard to find skilled entrepreneurial self-starters for our businesses.

Young people don’t have access to pathways for entrepreneurial success or gainful employment.

The economic reality of our region calls us to develop a new generation of employees, managers, and owners.

Opportuni

ty!

Push and Pull of: Local Foods

We have the resources for young entrepreneurial producers to help build local wealth.

Current State: There is a lack of healthy food, clean water, land and food infrastructure. The WV Legislature has $250,000 for school systems to spend in/on the local foods movement.

There is not enough information out about the possibilities for young people to be producers in Appalachia.

More money to invest in farms means more local, young producers who will build local, lasting wealth for themselves and their communities.

Opportuni

ty!

According to the 2010 RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship’s report to The Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative.

Transfer of WealthResearch is showing that there will be a massive Transfer of Wealth (TOW) beginning in Appalachia .

Over the next 10 years, an estimated $72 billion will be available to transfer between generations in Kentucky households.

Over the next 20 years, the TOW opportunity is estimated to be almost $173 billion.

As evidenced thus far, emerging leaders are needed in our region to continue the Appalachian economic upswing.

They are in line for carrying on responsibilities and wealth passed down from the older generation.

Investing in leadership development is the only surefire way to promise Appalachian progress.

The Importance of Young Leaders

Composed for four major entities in Appalachia:

Highlander CenterAMIHigh RocksSTAY

Joined by a shared commitment to building a sustainable future for our region and our young people.

Builds capacity among existing institutions to provide meaningful support to emerging leaders, direct work with young leaders, will provide opportunities to develop skills, and bring their voices into

The AELN

Operates media training programs that allow young people to ask and begin to answer critical questions about their community.

AMI employs up to 50 young people in the coalfields per year.

Youth –made media is then presented in regional and national conversations dealing with local issues and policy decisions.

Appalachian Media Institute

Place where leaders, networks, and movement strands come together to interact, build relationships, craft joint strategy, and develop the tools and mechanisms needed to advance social and economic justice within our region.

Through leadership institutes, supporting organizations, granting, developing policy, and mentoring leaders in the South and Appalachia, people expand their ideas of what is possible.

Highlander Research and Education Center

Our mission is to educate, empower, and inspire young West Virginia women. We develop youth led programs that provide pathways for success in our home communities. We fuel both the culture of learning and community connections so all our youth have the skills and ideas to drive change locally and on the national stage.

High Rocks Educational Corporation

The only youth-run and youth-led regional group in central Appalachia.

Network of members and regional gatherings create avenues for our communities to educate themselves, find voice, and nurture political power.

Highlights underrepresented populations in Appalachia (i.e. Youth of Color and LGBTQ Youth)

The STAY Project

Established through the Community Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky in August 2011.

Trains youth grant-makers and promotes understanding of endowment and philanthropy.

Places youth in non-profit leadership roles and encourages civic engagement.

Youth Leadership and Philanthropy Initiative

Investing in:

• Educational attainment

• Recruitment and retention

• Leadership development

• Entrepreneurial activity

• Organizational development

Preparing for the Future

IS investing in Appalachia.

Our success in actively transforming the future of

Appalachia depends largely on our ability to harness the power and promise of young leaders to move the region

forward.