1. McDowell County, West Virginia
Jack & Svea Schreiner
McDowell County, West Virginia

2. Mark 12: 28-32
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given a good answer, he asked him, “of all of the commandments, which one is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

3. 1 John 3: 16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.

4. Life in McDowell County
Geographical isolation
- Two hours’ drive to closest interstate highway
Lack of economic diversity
- Coal = only major industry
- Median household income = $22,000
Culture of dependence
- 47% of personal income comes from federal
programs
Population loss
- 1950’s population = 100,000; today = 22,000
Drug Abuse
- 8 times national average for drug overdose
deaths
Pervasive hopelessness

5. Education in McDowell County
Unstable Homes
47% of our students do not live with a biological parent
72% of our students live in a house without gainful employment
Unstable Schools
Estimated 40-50% annual teacher and administrator turnover rate
Vacancies year round in core teaching and administrative positions
Poor Outcomes
Ranked last in WV for most of the past decade
25% of students are proficient in reading
Of 100+ graduates at MVHS last year, 13 went to college

6. Former Mayor of War- McDowell County’s Top 3 Issues:
Drugs
Shortage of adequate housing
Lack of skilled tradesmen

7. Jake

9. Teachers Village
Lack of adequate housing has been cited as one of the primary contributors to the challenge of recruitment and retention of teachers.

10. See us in the back for opportunities to support our mission
Thank you!