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In Hemphill, Kentucky, a region once sustained by coal mining, the landscape has dramatically changed. Today, locals face high unemployment, outmigration, and the opioid crisis. Amid these challenges, Mamaw Mentorship, a cogenerational program designed to foster social connection and drive economic opportunities for both younger and older people, has become a beacon of hope.

In this video, Gwen Johnson, a community member and founder of Mamaw Mentorship, shared her journey with me. “Economics here are tough,” she said. “We struggle to pay for basic needs like utilities, groceries, and medicine.” Like many others, Gwen resorted to unconventional and sometimes sketchy means to make ends meet. This reality, she explained, has been a part of life in Appalachia for generations.

The Mamaw Mentorship program aims to break this cycle. It brings together older women, many of whom have faced similar struggles, with young girls and boys in local schools. “We’ve all been touched by the opioid crisis,” Gwen said. “Some of us are raising grandchildren because their parents are in jail. We know the costs firsthand, and we’re trying to prevent the next generation from going down the same path.”

In the video, Gwen shared a touching story about the program’s first day at a local middle school. “We thought we were there for the kids, but it turned out to be just as rewarding for us. The principal allowed us to come every Friday, and soon, the kids started looking forward to our visits. We even attended their eighth-grade graduation. They were so proud to introduce us to their parents, calling us ‘the Mamaws.’”

These connections go beyond emotional support to encourage conversation about future aspirations and economic opportunities. “There’s an entrepreneurial spirit here,” Gwen said. “We talk to the kids about careers, college, and the importance of education. We make sure they know about financial aid and other resources.”

One particularly memorable moment involved a young boy who brought a briefcase full of items he was selling to make money. “He had pencils, pens, notepads, and even a bracelet. It was like he gathered things from around his house. We bought some of his items and talked about his dream of becoming a businessman,” Gwen explained.

“The coal companies extracted more than just coal; they took away our imagination and hope,” Gwen said. “We’re trying to unbound that imagination and show the kids there’s more out there.”

The economic impact of the Mamaw Mentorship program isn’t just felt by the younger generation. One of the Mamaws, inspired by her involvement in the program and a desire to contribute more directly to the children’s education, decided to become a substitute teacher. 

“Being around the kids reignited a passion in me,” she told Gwen. “I took the steps to get certified as a substitute teacher, and now I’m in the classroom several days a week. It’s a way to give back and earn a little extra income.”

Despite the hardships, Gwen remains optimistic. “We’re making strides. Seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces when we walk in, hearing them call ‘the Mamaws are here!’ It’s heartwarming. We’re not just filling a gap in their lives; they’re filling a gap in ours, too.”