Child poverty rates in Harlan County have now reached higher than 40 percent, according to information released by the Census Bureau recently. Data was collected for counties with a population of 20,000 or more.

“Harlan County is a single industry county and that industry is coal,” said Joe Grieshop, Harlan County Judge-Executive. “When you are a single industry, how coal goes, that’s how the poverty rate goes. If the cap and trade bill passes, the poverty rate in Harlan county will be even worse. The permitting process is presently being stalled, which causes our economy to be bleak.”

According to Dr. Justine Detzel, Ph.D., Chief Labor Economist for Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the unemployment rate in Harlan County in September stood at 12.5 percent.

“In August, there were 9,645 recipients of food stamps in Harlan County,” said Anya Armes Weber, Public Information Officer for Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “That is in comparison, in August 2008, when there were 9,542 recipients.”

Kentucky Youth Advocate Executive Director Terry Brooks said the unemployment numbers and food stamp participation levels challenge the easy way out being advocated by many state leaders in Frankfort.

“There is not common wealth in the commonwealth,” said Brooks. “These numbers remind us of the disparities within Kentucky. This is not a time for inaction. Rather, this is a moment to act on behalf of Kentucky’s hard-working families when public supports are nothing less than a lifeline.”

Debby Howard, family youth service center district coordinator for the Harlan Independent Schools said the role of the agency is to find resources in the community to help fight poverty that is evident in the schools. Howard said the tougher the economic situation is in the county, the harder it is to find those resources needed for their students.

“We try to meet the needs of our students, but it’s limited,” Howard said. “We have people who help but the need is just so large.”

According to Janice Napier, vice president of BB&T Bank in Harlan, BB&T is trying to help with the child poverty situation in Harlan County by collecting coats. Napier urges everyone to donate a new or slightly used coat through the first week of November. Napier said the coats will be distributed to local school resource centers.

“In the past, we have helped everyone we could,” said Lynne Hardy, pastor of the Harlan Presbyterian Church. “We have applied for grants but to date we have not received anything. We are hoping some come through for us.”

At the Harlan Christian Church, Pastor Charlie Morris said they are trying to fight child poverty with their Christmas toy and clothing program. Morris said they chose 30 to 40 families to assist at Christmas time.

“We not only give toys and clothing to the children, but we give food baskets to their families to help out,” Morris said.

According to Nick Noe, pastor of the Harlan Sunshine Church of God, they have seen an increase of people seeking help for their families. Noe said at this time they only have a list of other resources that they are referring these people to.

“In tough economic times, everyone must find ways to stretch their dollars,” said Heather Hise, Communications and Public Relations Specialist for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. “Goodwill is proud to offer that option to the people of Harlan. Goodwill is able to provide timely, vital employment resources and also affordable options for clothing and household items.”

The fight against child poverty in Harlan County is an ongoing battle according to Frank Stoffle, Director of Christian Outreach for Appalachian People (COAP). Stoffle said they build 10 to 15 new homes per year and are now working on their 200th home. COAP does approximately 40 home repairs also per year.

“For the period of time I’ve been here, our board has said don’t store up any treasures,” said Stoffle. When we get money to build or repair a home for someone that is just what we do. We pay special attention to families with children.

“The most satisfying thing is to fix or repair a home so a child has their own room and they say now I can invite someone over and not be embarrassed. That is a sweet thing to hear.”

Howard there are numerous resources available in Harlan county for children. Howard said everyone has to pull together and do their part as best they can to help lower the child poverty rates in our county.