Big Creek People in Action

Working for economically vibrant, democratic, and socially just communities for the 21

st

century.

Mission

Big Creek People in Action

is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1990 by citizens of McDowell County, West Virginia. BCPIA serves the community by providing programs in early childhood development, education and literacy, leadership development, volunteer service, arts and culture, housing, recreation, and

Mission Statement:

collaborative partnerships.

“The mission of BCPIA is to foster a community in which people learn, work, play, and grow together and prepare themselves for success in the 21st century. BCPIA's vision of McDowell County is one of empowered and self-sufficient people living in communities that are economically vibrant, democratic, and socially just.”

History of McDowell County

McDowell County was formed in 1858 from part of Tazewell, VA. It derived it's name from the governor of Virginia in 1843, James McDowell. It is the southern-most county in West Virginia, in which the coal communities have been an integral and defining aspect of the community. The closing of many major coal operations has led to an increase in poverty and unemployment while health care and education have deteriorated. For example, the county has the highest illiteracy rate in adults in West Virginia and the unemployment rate is consistently double that of the state and more than triple the national rate. Since 1980, over 60% of the residents have left the area, primarily seeking employment and higher standard of living.

McDowell County has approximately 25,000 residents today, with the Big Creek District having 6,500 residents. Almost 90% of families with children are low resource.

In 1990, Caretta residents established Big Creek Mountain People in Action, Inc. to address family, community, and economic concerns in the area.

Poverty in Appalachia

“This trip opened my eyes to a part of America I never knew existed. I had seen and served the urban poor, but I didn’t think we still had such rural poverty in our country.” - Sean, Notre Dame student McDowell, WV While the situation of poverty in Appalachia is lessening, the most stressed areas are in West Virginia, the heart of Appalachia.

Key Issues in McDowell, County

45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 $16,931 $29,696 $41,994 McDowell West Virginia US This chart compares the average per capita income among McDowell County, the state of West Virginia, and the US. Clearly, McDowell lags behind the rest of the United States.

Data taken from ePodunk (tm) Copyright © 2004 ePodunk Inc. All rights reserved.

There has been a significant decrease in population since the 1950’s mainly due to lack of jobs after coal mines closed. This decrease has lead to increased healthcare issues as the average age of citizens increases.

120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 -20,000 1900 -40,000

Population Changes in McDowell County

1920 1940 1960 Population 18,747 Population Change 1980 2000

Year

Date taken from the Bureau of Census 2020

Flooding in McDowell County

“The state of West Virginia has a tough task in front of them, and I have to give them credit for the plans and projects they’re drawing up for McDowell County. The plans aren’t always popular with people in McDowell, but the situation is so complicated, at least they’re trying to do something.” - Sean Flooding has become a significant problem in McDowell County due to effects of mountaintop removal. There have been two major floods in the past 3 years; they have caused death and loss of hundreds of structures in the area. After one of the floods, over 1500 people were left homeless. McDowell County was declared a federal disaster area, but community organizations and citizens have worked hard to rebuild their community both physically and financially. BCPIA, federal grants, McDowell Mission, and other organizations have contributed to the reconstruction of the community.

Mountain top removal

“The people want their mountains back. I don’t think it would solve their deeper, social problems, but it would at least get their homes and schools out of the flood plains.” - Sean Mountaintop removal has become the dominant form of surface coal mining in the state. The process involves blasting off hilltops, and dumping leftover rock and dirt into nearby valleys.

Much of the state has been flattened, and hundreds of miles of streams have been buried.

Aerial Photos of a mountaintop removal project A surface mine reclamation site

Emergence of Health Care and Problems with Diabetes

“It was a hard trip for me, because I didn’t feel that I could do much for the people there. How do you bring people hope when they feel economically and geographically trapped, addicted to drugs and unable to get a good education?” - Claire, Notre Dame student Affordable healthcare is a major issue There has been a significant increase in diabetes mortality rates in West Virginia in this part of the country. The majority compared to the US.

Data from the West Virginia Health Statistics Center, 2001 of the residents get by on very low income, and healthcare/health

Rates of Diabetes Mortality per 100,000 population

insurance is considered a luxury in most cases.

35 West Virginia US The incidence of cancer, diabetes and other illnesses associated with coal mining is high in this region, which is only compounded by the shortage of healthcare professionals.

30 25 20 15 10

rate (per 100,000)

5 Poor health across the region causes more widespread diabetes 1/3 higher in Appalachia than in the rest of the US.

0 1970 1975

year

1980 1985 1990 1995 US West Virginia

Education

Over a fourth of the small schools in West Virginia have been closed due to consolidation. The state seized control of the McDowell County school system in November 2001, after inspectors with the WV Department of Education found violations of education laws and regulations in the school system. Many decisions have been made without holding public hearings and without a vote of the elected McDowell County Board of Education.

Challenge West Virginia

, an anti-consolidation group, has representatives from every county and meets every month. They discuss and take action on issues regarding school consolidation in various regions of the state. These issues include longer bus rides for children, less time for extra curricular activities, and less interaction of teachers with their students. This group is the core of a statewide network of education activists who, through interaction and sharing, are helping define education issues and developing action strategies and platforms around educational policy issues. After attending a Challenge West Virginia meeting, Sean responded, “It seemed like everyone’s hands were tied: the people in McDowell, the residents trying to help through love, the officials trying to help through government action...“

Accommodations

During the week volunteers stay in the dormitories at the Caretta Community Center. BCPIA can sleep up to 50 people. Beds and linens are provided so there is no need to pack a sleeping bag. 6 showers are also available, so don’t forget to bring shampoo, soap, shower shoes and a towel! Dormitory There is a kitchen with a stovetop, oven, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave. Bring your own food and cook enough to share!

The kitchen and dining area

Accommodations

During the week volunteers participate in a number of activities, both work and education related, so pack accordingly. Be sure to bring clothes to work in as well as casual outfits to wear to other events. The weather of the area varies, so pack sweatshirts!

Most importantly, don’t forget items such as cameras and journals so you can remember your Appalachian experience.

A view from the window of a dormitory at the Caretta Community Center Rebuilding a porch at a local home

A Day At Big Creek

9 AM

: Wake up, prepare breakfast in kitchen, plan day.

9:30 AM

: Begin project. Many of these take place at the Caretta Community Center, and focus on renovating the former school into accommodating housing for visitors. We built a storage closet, made a laundry room, and painted offices and other rooms. Some projects took place in the community community.

—for example, reading to elementary students, speaking with high school students, or cleaning homes in the

12 Noon

: Lunch. Cook your own meals!

1 PM

: Continue project. Often a few members of the group will go with Marsha on a trip somewhere in the community —the library, city hall in the city of War to meet the mayor, or just around the hills to show how long the bus ride is for students.

Evening

: Cook dinner on your own. Activities such as a trip to a mine, square dancing, bowling, a one-woman play, or live music.

11 PM

: Bedtime.

Carl Rutherford provides some bluegrass entertainment

Things to Do Surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, there is much to do near BCPIA. Some of the activities include hiking, square dancing, touring a mine, visiting Coalwood, the home of the famous Rocket Boys, and visiting the local schools.

“Our trip to a coal mine made me realize that it is one of the most physically taxing and dangerous jobs around, yet the people hardly share in any of the wealth that the coal mines extract from W. Virginia. This to me is a social injustice that must change.” - Claire

Back to School

Things to Do

One day, we were able to visit both the elementary school, to read to the children, and Big Creek High School, to tell the students about Notre Dame and answer their questions about college. While talking with the students about their future plans, we were on one hand encouraged at some of their ambitiousness, but also weary of the situation they faced.

“Education is a blessing. We take for granted the fact that we graduate from high school, yet for many people in WVA it’s the exception.”

- Claire Marsha Timpson takes us to her high School, Big Creek, also the school of the “Rocket Boys”

Things to Do

Dancing the Night Away

One night, we were invited to join a group of residents in nearby Welch for an exciting night of square dancing. The couples were so welcoming to us, we felt right at home. “I never knew how much square dancing involved...I was really impressed!” - Margaret, Notre Dame student Square dancing at the Moose Lodge in Welch...don’t miss this one!

Things to Do

Rocket Boys

Driving to Welch, we were able to see a few points of interest in Coalwood, such as the original home of Homer Hickam and the rocket launching site. “It was fascinating to see up close a piece of history and celebrate the hope that Homer’s story brings to the community.” - Margaret

Reflections

You can take the people out of West Virginia, but you can’t take the WVA out of the people…

Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze Country roads, take me home To the place, I belong West Virginia, Mountain Mama Take me home, country roads ~John Denver This song by John Denver accurately reflects the overarching sentiment that one experiences when immersed in the people and geography of McDowell County, West Virginia. Yet my time in WV also led me to question a lot of things I’d never thought about.

Caretta Community Center

“At Home in the Web of Life”

1995 Appalachian Bishops Pastoral Letter “To dwell within these mountains is to experience in their height, God's majesty, in their weight, God's strength, in their hollows, God's embrace, in their waters, God's cleansing, in their haze, God's mystery. These mountains are truly a holy place.” “I felt at the same time sadness and hope. Sadness because the living conditions are so harsh, the opportunities so limited, and the young people so eager to move away. But hope, too, because of the efforts of loving people like those at the community center, who don’t have it easy themselves, either.” - Sean