Prevention Works
Between 2007-2012, over 5.4 million opioid-based pain pills were sold in Barbour County, West Virginia alone. With a population of around 16,000 people, this influx of opioid-based medication devastated our small county and changed a cultural landscape that is already challenging to reset. Prevention Works Pathways is a small step in the right direction of prevention efforts targeting those who are at the greatest risk of substance abuse: teenagers.
New Vision believes that supporting young people in taking positive steps into the world of work and responsibility is a great place to invest time and energy. With the help of employment success coaches and local businesses, these empowering first time experiences are an effective weapon in the battle for Appalachia’s youth.
Prevention Works is a mentoring program run over the course of six weeks during the summer months, and 10 weeks in the spring and fall for students aged 12-18. Prevention Works is a partnership of agencies and organizations all dedicated to the Barbour County community, including the Department of Justice, the Barbour County Ministerial Association, the Bright Futures Coalition of Barbour County and the West Virginia First Foundation who is help to fund the 2025 expanded launch of the program
During the school year, students work for eight hours a week. During the summer months, that number increases to twelve hours per week. They are given workforce/life skills training with a special focus on work ethic, employability, and financial management. Additionally, they are educated about the harms of substance abuse and what the long and short term repercussions of an opioid addiction would mean for their life. Mentored by adults and older students alike, the training and employment opportunities students in Prevention Works receive are incredibly valuable. Local leaders and ministers are paired with the students, serving as support for them as they work to receive their graduation certificate by the program's end. Students who have graduated from Prevention Works have gone on to attend universities such as WVU and be hired for jobs with excellent pay, allowing them to support themselves and their families for years to come.
New Vision believes that with access to consistent support, mentorship, and education, the young people of communities like Barbour County face much better odds in overcoming the challenges awaiting them in adulthood. New Vision is looking to partner with local businesses and groups to help sponsor students through Prevention Works. The cost of one student per semester is $600.
Want to Support Prevention Works?
Whether it is sponsoring a student to attend or supporting the program in general, every donation serves a crucial role in ensuring that students have access to the training and resources they need to go far in life and serve as vital members of their communities.
For any prospective Prevention Works attendees, potential partners, teachers, and other collaborators, please contact New Vision to learn more about how you can get involved with Prevention Works.