In this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia, we talk with students, educators, life coaches and psychologists about what can help more young people stay in school and get trained so they can get jobs. And -- stay in Appalachia.
We meet Sharell Harmon, who works for a nonprofit called Youth Build, training young people with hands-on skills, like carpentry and landscaping, that will help them to find meaningful work. Harmon was a participant in the program seven years ago. “I went from being homeless, a college dropout,” Harmon recalled. “And now I'm a college graduate. And, I'm going to buy my first house this year.”
Communities across Appalachia are seeing a growing number of young people having a tough time. They aren’t in school, don’t hold a job — and they’re having trouble feeling optimistic about what the future holds. But some of them are finding ways to break out of that pattern. This week, we’ll hear from some of these young people who have found a way forward and some hope.
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