Margaret Demko, ACC's Grants Manager, shares her 21-year fight to find basic healthcare for her daughter with Down syndrome, and the hope she now sees for families in Appalachian Ohio

Saturday’s Healthy Meals for Healthy Minds event reminded me that a food box is never just a box. For many families tucked deep in the Appalachian hills, it is hope, dignity, and a moment of light on a difficult horizon. I was grateful to deliver one to a family I’ve known for years, and even more grateful for the work that made it possible.

Think back to someone who made a lasting impact on your life — a teacher, coach, or mentor who saw your potential and helped you grow. At the Appalachian Children Coalition, we believe everyone deserves that same kind of support. Through our coaching programs, we help students and professionals in behavioral health find purpose, connection, and encouragement to thrive. Because everyone needs a coach.