Growing Home Fellowship
“Who’s coming next?” That question echoes throughout Appalachian Ohio as our aging community builders and leaders wonder who will carry forward the transformative work of the institutions essential to the well-being of our region.
The outmigration of our region’s young people is one of the greatest barriers to our communities’ well-being and to our vision: Flourishing people and flourishing communities, today and in perpetuity.
Introducing the Growing Home Fellowship
We launched our Growing Home Fellowship in 2023 to give young community builders a stake in the future of our region to increase the likelihood they will remain here. We invested in more than 100 emerging leaders across 29 counties – both financially and through a targeted program that teaches them how to identify community needs, develop solutions and assemble a network of partners to address local challenges.
Our Growing Home Fellows work with K-12 students as classroom educators, student support service providers, and behavioral and educational programming partners. They commit to live, work and volunteer in our region for five years and take part in a strengths-based leadership program that includes one-on-one coaching, service, skill development and more.
Fellowship Spotlights
Ashley Mastin has dedicated her fellowship to expanding Morgan County’s access to fresh food and is helping drive the success of Morgan County Community Gardens. This volunteer-led effort delivers free produce to the local library and hosts community events.
Isaac Floyd serves Bobcat Academy, an interactive skill-building program Ohio University Southern in Lawrence County hosts for elementary students. Through the fellowship’s pitch competition, he secured funding for 30 local students to participate in the 2026 program at no cost.
Mattie Vinskovich serves the Monroe County Community Foundation and helped launch its first Fill the Freezer event. She led a successful social media campaign and supported planning for the event, which generated 4,650 pounds of protein to help address local hunger.
Michael DiCenzo has been elected treasurer of the Mount Pleasant Historical Society in Jefferson County. This leadership role follows several years of service to the organization, including engaging his Buckeye Local High School students in service activities and field trips.
Gretchen Weber serves on the board of the Logan Theater and Community Arts Center in Hocking County. She played an active role in the historic theater’s recent grand opening celebration, which included its first film screening in 34 years.
Katie Wolfe of Washington County serves on the board of GoPacks in Marietta, helping battle food insecurity. She secured a grant through the Growing Home Fellowship pitch competition to fund the free produce market at the organization’s 2026 Community Resource Fair.
Impact Report 2023-2025
Impact Report 2023-2024
Watch as leaders and visionaries across Ohio and beyond give their time, expertise and encouragement to our fellows – gifts that will inspire all those committed to our communities.
Fall 2024 Growing Home Fellows Gathering
The Fall 2024 Growing Home Fellows gathering was held Sept. 7-8 in Zanesville, Ohio, with a focus on the Arts and Culture Pillar of Prosperity.
Learn More April 2024 Growing Home Fellows Gathering
The Spring 2024 Growing Home Fellows gathering was held April 20 at The Blakeslee Center in Middleport, Ohio, in conjunction with the Jenco awardee celebration.
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August 2023 Growing Home Fellows Gathering
The Summer 2023 Growing Home Fellows gathering was held Aug. 25-27 at Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County with a focus on the Health and Human Services Pillar of Prosperity
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April 2023 Growing Home Fellows Gathering
The inaugural Growing Home Fellows gathering was held April 15 at Nelsonville’s historic Stuart’s Opera House.
Learn MoreThe Foundation of Appalachian Ohio commissioned its inaugural class of Growing Home Fellows on Oct. 7, 2023. Part of an evening celebrating and inspiring community building, the commissioning ceremony was followed by a public presentation from David Brooks. The New York Times columnist and best-selling author shared insights from his book, “The Second Mountain,” which focuses on the joy that comes from service to community.
Through gifts of time, talent, treasure and partnership, we are seeding the next generation of community builders and leaders whose impact will extend far beyond five years. Together, we are investing in the individuals, ideas and institutions that will deliver a Flourishing Appalachian Ohio.
The Growing Home Fellowship pilot is funded through a public-private partnership, with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education and private funding made possible by generous donors to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.
Special thanks to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine who, through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Program, appropriated funds through the Ohio Department of Higher Education to fund this pilot program. The program is being sustained by private donors, including an anonymous donor, Ken Taylor of Ohio CAT and gifts to FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund.
Questions?
Contact info@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.