APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC POLICY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE BECKY JONES, AMANDA KING, RACHEL PRESTON, JONI RITTER, AND ZACH TRIPLETT TALMAGE STANLEY, INSTRUCTOR Public Policy Options for Building a Sustainable Future in Appalachia

Who we are… Seniors at Emory & Henry College Our practicum placements:  Becky- Ecumenical Faith in Action  Amanda- YWCA of Bristol, Tennessee  Rachel- Star Mountain Club at Marion Primary School  Joni-Department of Social Services  Zach-The Crisis Center in Bristol, Virginia

Overview  Regional Conversations  Spring 2008  Policy Proposal  5 Community Center pilot programs  Assets in relation to needs  Looking at different aspects of the pilot program

Facilities Problems  Closing & consolidation of schools Assets  Vacant buildings  Schools are central to communities Our Policy  Multi-use of kitchens  Gyms for recreation  Auditoriums for community discussions  Classrooms for various programs Pocahontas High School Pocahontas, VA

Immediate Needs Problems  Shelter  Food  Benevolence Assets  Community Organizations Our plan  Coordination with community organizations Big Creek High School War, WV

Afterschool and Daycare Programming Problems  Lack of space  Lack of daycare and afterschool programs  Lack of historical and cultural awareness Assets  Vacant school buildings  Opportunities for place-based education  Highlands Project  Star Mountain Club  Intergenerational volunteers Our Plan  Place-based learning and education model  Year-round activities for local youth Old Rock School/Riverside Apartments Damascus, VA

Staffing Problems  Lack of jobs Assets  Social capital  Aging community  Youth Our Plan  5 paid positions  Volunteers

Job Development Problems  Job creation  Sustainable job development  Participate in global economy Assets  Beauty of natural environment  Ability to work together Our Plan  Green jobs  Internship opportunities  Communication network  Job training  Job advocacy

Funding Career development  $3,575 Immediate needs  $40,406 Afterschool and daycare  $16,690 Staffing  $98,000 Facilities  $241,200 Total = $399,871  5 pilot programs= $1,999,355

Closing What can the ARC do?