For over 20 years, The Right Path for Washington County has been working hard to engage and empower youth in the state of Ohio. It was formed in 2003 when a State Incentive Grant brought the local behavioral health boards, juvenile court, and community leaders together to address how prevention services were being delivered in the county. Out of those discussions, the coalition took shape with the goal of reducing risk behaviors and improving protective factors for youth. They started by attempting to influence two issues they could make a difference in: academic failure and community disorganization.
Like many communities, Washington County faces its own unique set of challenges. According to Director Cathy Harper, the closing of local gathering spots like swimming pools, a movie theater, and a bowling alley created a gap in community activities for those who don’t have the means to travel to the adjacent city of Parkersburg, WV, where these amenities are still operational. Despite these challenges, The Right Path finds other ways to connect with the community through educational initiatives in schools, hosting health fairs, and partnering with local organizations to engage and support local residents.
The Right Path has a comprehensive calendar of annual events and programs that draw in large crowds. Twice a year, they host a medication take-back day that encourages community members to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions. Their Family Nights, held at local swimming pools for the past 21 summers, offer families hours of fun and games while connecting them with local mental health and addiction service providers. The coalition also hosts a range of other community activities like the Grief and Overdose Awareness Walk and Recovery Day celebrations. Their Youth Voices campaign gives young people a chance to speak out about issues that matter to them, while their podcast helps keep the community informed about available resources.
The success of the coalition is marked by the number of people they can reach, and Ms. Harper mentions how rewarding it is to see youth who’ve attended their events as young children return as teenagers, bringing the next generation along with them. Looking ahead, The Right Path plans to expand their Youth Markets to help address hunger issues in the community. They also plan to grow their Youth Voices campaign, giving youth additional opportunities to discuss their challenges and the positive effects of community service.
For those interested in getting involved with The Right Path, their Facebook page contains information about volunteer opportunities and upcoming events including fundraising efforts. All of their programs are supported by funds from within their community, and any donations, grants, or volunteer service received goes directly back into the initiatives they run.
