Every year, the Ritton Family Foundation and Par Mar Stores make a substantial investment in college and trade-school academic scholarships for college bound students in Appalachia. We want to help these young people earn degrees, secure well-paid jobs, and provide themselves and their families with a better standard of living. We want to create learning opportunities and improve school quality and funding.

In the majority of Appalachia’s 420 counties, less than fifteen percent (<15%) of working age adults have a bachelor degree. That percentage is one-half (1/2) the national average. In central Appalachia (east Kentucky, southwest West Virginia, and western Virginia) the numbers are worse. In the Appalachian counties that have double digit unemployment, more than one-fifth (1/5) of working-age adults lack a high school diploma.

prb.org/resources/low-education-levels-and-unemployment-linked-in-appalachia/

In Appalachia Ohio, significantly fewer children enroll in college within two years after graduation (47.8% vs. 59% Ohio state average) and even fewer graduate from college (25.5% vs. 32.7% Ohio state average).

clevelandfed.org/human-capital-and-the-challenge-of-persistent-poverty-in-appalachia/

Looking at Educational Attainment and Quality of Education, West Virginia ranked last in the nation. Looking at the % of Associate’s Degree Holders or College Experienced Adults – West Virginia ranked 50th. Among the % of Bachelor’s Degree Holders – West Virginia ranked 50th. For the % of Graduate or Professional Degree Holders – West Virginia ranked 49th.

wallethub.com/edu/e/most-educated-states/

One in four children in West Virginia were living in poverty in 2022, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week. West Virginia was the only state in the nation to see its rate of child poverty increase from 2021….increased adverse health outcomes, lower education levels and smaller amounts of lifetime earnings are inextricably tied to childhood poverty.

westvirginiawatch.com/2023/09/18/new-census-data-shows-a-quarter-of-wv-kids-were-living-in-poverty-in-2022/

Something has to happen to break this generational cycle of education barriers and poverty. Appalachia and its children deserve a chance to catch-up, to even succeed and prosper. Please join with us. Support academic scholarships grants for students from Appalachian communities.

Neglected Areas

That’s a great question. We’re glad you asked.