Improving Appalachia Ohio

The religious community in Morgan County wants to improve the lives of some of its young people and families.

It wants to get rid of some of the negative traits associated with Appalachian Ohio.

"You have poverty. You have typical drug and alcohol abuse. You have teen pregnancy. Morgan County has a suicide rate twice the national average, " says World Vision Development Facilitator, Gary Combs.

World Vision has been working with multiple faith-based organizations throughout the past year and a half to see how to improve these traits, and those involved came up with the Dream Center. It will offer classes and mentoring to the community.

"Actually, we could all use a mentor. We could all mentor others. We want to see that happen so together, we raise the overall quality of life in the community and our ability to succeed in what they’re doing-just to live life as god intended, " says Combs.

The Dream Center will share a building with the Lighthouse in McConnelsville. The Lighthouse prides itself on being a "safe place for youth." It is set to open within the month.