Appalachia
Serve and Learn in Williamson, WV
Amizade has been partnering in Williamson for the past 7 years. In that time, Amizade and its partners have collaborated with local nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and farmers to positively impact the community. Specifically, we have worked on programs which focus on healthy eating such as the Williamson Farmer’s Market, the Mobile Market and the Pikeville, Logan, and Williamson community gardens.
Williamson, a rural coal-mining town in Mingo County, once boasted a population of almost 50,000 residents. With the help of a thriving coal economy in the mid-20th century, jobs and education were accessible and abundant. In recent years, however, like much of rural West Virginia, Williamson has suffered from the coal mining industry’s collapse. Added to the town’s troubles were a series of terrible floods, and subsequent de-populazation. As the town struggles to keep its population above 3,000, the community faces an uncertain future, and must create ways to redefine itself.
OPPORTUNITIES

Programs focus on health and wellness, agriculture
SHORT TERM & CUSTOMIZED

Contact our office for more information.
INDIVIDUAL

KEY THEMES
The main themes associated with our programs in Appalachia:
• Construction & Maintenance
• Cultural Heritage & Traditions
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Community and Economic sustainability

HEALTH AND SAFETY RECORDS
As you or your loved one prepares to serve with Amizade in Appalachia, you can rest comfortably with the knowledge that Amizade has an exceptionally strong safety record and ability to respond to any emerging challenges.
Resources
Find out more about the Heart of Appalachia.
The Basics
Review the Amizade Appalachia Site Handbook.
Media
Podcast: Strangers with Cameras in Appalachia
Interactive Documentary: Hollow
Readings
A Fresh Look at Appalachia 50 years after the War on Poverty
Coal’s Decline is Choking Appalachia Towns
After Coal, can better health save West Virginia?
Trump’s vow to bring back coal gives hope to weary regions
Sustainable Williamson – Creating Economic Diversification in Coal Country
What the Media Misses When It Sees Appalachia as Just ‘Trump Country’
Latest Stories

Partnering with Fulbright for Virtual Service Week
This article was written by Amizade, and it was originally…
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Building Community Connections — Virtually!
Laura Gooding participated in one of Amizade’s first virtual service-learning…
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Appalachian community partner runs 400 miles in one month!
Alexis Batausa isn’t letting the COVID-19 pandemic stop him from…
+ READ MOREASK A STAFF
Get in touch with our site liaison Bibi Al-Ebrahim to inquiry about more opportunities in Appalachia.
CONTACT US