According to government statistics the people living in the Appalachian Mountain regions are the poorest in the nation. This tri-state area between Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia became a focus for the Alliance for the children program in 2002 after being devastated a number of cities in Virginia. The region has also been hurt by a decline in the coal mining industry, once a large career field for people living there. Other attempts to jump start their economy have been slow to show any success. This decline in the major business in coal mining has brought the average gross income for the people in this area down to $20000 a year.
The Alliance for the Children works with administrators in the schools of suffering areas to determine who should be chosen to receive assistance from the program. Out of the schools included in the Appalachian Mountain region, more than half of them have 90% or more students in the free/reduced lunch programs that are considered for the program.
Rewards programs have also been given to students at these schools. In order to encourage good behavior, strong academics, and attendance the children are given treats such as movie nights and after school programs. School libraries and classrooms are also provided with reading and reference books.
Through the Alliance for the Children Neuqua has the opportunity to help the students living in the Appalachian mountain regions. Mrs. Muller has been organizing the Wishes for Santa Giving Tree program at Neuqua for the last ten years. She started the program at Neuqua through only her science classes, but has since made it a success by incorporating Advisories. Every year more students participate in the organization raising the participation level from the original 100 people to 2000 people.
Since joining the organization, the schools in the Appalachian Mountain region have seen both attendance and performance academically increase.
By Alexandra Pastore, staff writer
