Where We Work: Serving the Heart of Appalachia

Serving McDowell County and surrounding communities.

We partner with Big Creek People in Action to provide comprehensive support for residents at every stage of life. Our collaborative efforts focus on long-term community stability and individual empowerment through targeted local programs.

Program Highlights & Impact:

• Youth Literacy & Education: We support the Super WHY Literacy Summer Camps, where elementary and preschool children engage in virtual expeditions to enhance reading and writing skills. This builds a critical foundation for academic success in early childhood.
• Children’s Health (Mighty Molars): Through this partnership, dental hygienists provide hands-on instruction and "Tools for Teeth" dental kits (including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss) to ensure local children maintain oral health.
• Veteran Nutritional Support: We honor McDowell County’s heroes by supporting the distribution of food boxes filled with nonperishable items. This program provides essential nutrition and peace of mind to elderly and disabled veterans, helping them manage tight budgets without sacrificing groceries.
• Vocational Training & Home Repair: Our partnership facilitates computer literacy and vocational training for adults, alongside critical home rehabilitation projects and utility assistance for the elderly and disabled to ensure safe, functional living conditions.

• 30 children in free afterschool program
• 160 hams and food boxes delivered to families in War, WV during the holidays

Serving Hall, Gwinnett, Lumpkin, and Jackson Counties.

We support L.A.M.P. Ministries in their mission to provide hope and stability to at-risk youth and families throughout Northern Georgia. This partnership focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty and crisis through direct intervention and educational support.

Program Highlights & Impact:

• Crisis Intervention & Youth Support: L.A.M.P. provides a source of hope for abused, homeless, and at-risk youth. Services include professional counseling, case management, and emergency shelters that provide food, clothing, and essential items to young people in need.
• Educational Development: We are proud to support initiatives that help children and youth understand the value of education. These programs focus on developing a life-long love of learning and providing the tools necessary for academic success at a young age.
• Juvenile Justice & Mentorship: To help youth stay on the right track, L.A.M.P. offers specialized programming for juvenile offenders charged with minor crimes. This intervention provides a pathway toward positive life choices and helps prevent future incarceration.
• Homelessness Prevention (Utility Assistance): To prevent eviction and keep families in their homes, L.A.M.P. facilitates a utility assistance program. By helping keep the lights and heat on, this program provides a critical safety net for families who have no other resources to turn to for help.

• 678 residents fed at LAMP Ministries Thanksgiving celebration in Gainesville
• Want2Work vocational support provided to students at White County High School

Serving Grainger, Cocke, Jefferson, and Hamblen Counties.

Americans Helping Americans® works with Appalachian Outreach to provide a holistic community approach to service. Our partnership addresses the immediate needs of families in the Appalachian region while providing the tools necessary for long-term self-sufficiency.

Program Highlights & Impact:

• Emergency & Home Assistance: Appalachian Outreach provides critical support for families facing harsh weather and financial hardship. This includes providing firewood for those unable to pay heating bills, installing new roofs for dilapidated homes, and offering emergency assistance for the local homeless population.
• Samaritan House Family Shelter: We assist in the operation of this shelter, which serves homeless single women and families. Support includes providing grants for rent and utility deposits to help residents transition into their own homes, alongside programs in household budgeting and savings to promote financial independence.
• Youth Education & "Kid’s Club": Children living at the Samaritan House benefit from after-school tutoring and the "Kid’s Club" program. These initiatives offer a safe environment for learning, Bible study sessions, outdoor activities, and nutritional snacks.
• School Readiness: To ensure students start the year with confidence, we provide backpacks filled with school supplies. This program offers significant financial relief to parents and ensures children are prepared for their first day of class.

• Weekly food box distribution reached 98 children in June and 75 children in July across 3 sites
• Home repairs completed for elderly homeowners, including porch rebuilds, wall replacements, and roofing.

Serving Lee, Owsley, Wolfe, Estill, and Breathitt Counties.

Americans Helping Americans® works with Cumberland Mountain Outreach in the heart of Appalachia to foster community connection through essential service and resource distribution.

Program Highlights & Impact:

• Home Repair & Resources: We support a home repair program designed to improve living conditions while bringing those who serve and those being served closer together. This partnership also facilitates the distribution of donated furniture and appliances to families and individuals in need.
• Youth & Leadership Development: Our partnership includes support for camp programs where elementary school children build social connections and meaningful friendships. For older youth, a leadership program provides opportunities for teenagers to return as mentors, developing their own leadership skills while guiding younger children.

Serving Beattyville Elementary School and surrounding students.

Located directly within the school building, the Lee County Family Resource Center (LCFRC) is a vital partner in our mission to ensure students have the tools they need to succeed academically and personally.

Program Highlights & Impact:

• Essential Student Supplies: We provide the LCFRC with critical items for students, including school supplies, dental kits, shoes, and winter coats. This support ensures that no child has to attend school without proper protection from cold weather or the necessary tools for their classes.
• Digital Access & Education: Through a focused pilot program, we have provided desktop computers to students with the greatest need. This initiative bridges the digital divide, allowing students to complete homework and research assignments at home and maintain communication with their teachers during inclement weather.

• 380 turkey vouchers distributed for Thanksgiving
• Christmas celebration served 219 children and 169 adults with hot meals, coats, and blankets
• 74 community volunteers supported the holiday events

Thanks to our donors and partners, our work across all locations in 2025 provided:

• 18,648 food boxes to families in need.
• 5,700 blankets to families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
• 5,012 winter coats to students, seniors, and homeless individuals.
• 4,500 school supplies to program partners.
• 3,563 individuals with utility or rent assistance to avoid eviction or utility shutoffs.
• 3,425 students school supplies.
• 3,358 holiday meals to families in need.
• 3,000 dental kits to children to promote hygiene and health.
• 2,249 children with food through the Summer Food Program.
• 1,315 students benefited from Americans Helping Teachers grants.
• 765 students received Want2Work vocational support.
• 380 students supported in after-school programs.
• 273 students participated in summer camps.
• 209 vocational students received tutor support.
• 191 individuals received free medical treatment.
• 154 individuals now live in safer, more comfortable, and dignified homes.
• 141 homes rehabilitated, addressing critical needs like roofing, insulation, and structural repairs.
• 125 computers given to students to support their education.
• $100,000 in aid provided to support communities recovering from Hurricane Helene.