Home for Good, Huntington, WV 2001
Partners:
The Herald-Dispatch
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
WMUL-FM
The out-migration of young people from West Virginia was as accepted as the export of its coal until the partners explored the consequences in “Home for Good,” a project that included a six-part newspaper series, radio reports, a televised public forum and an interactive Web site.
One of the initial challenges, finding those who had left, was nearly solved with a virtual focus group online. The Herald-Dispatch persuaded papers statewide to run an ad around Christmas Day 2001 – when former residents would most likely be visiting – asking them to contact the paper and fill out a brief questionnaire. Four-hundred people responded, creating an instant database of the diaspora. The paper emailed each one a link to a longer survey, asking why they left and what it would take to get them back; 147 people answered.
A scientific survey of 404 West Virginians added more information about how young people view the state. The paper met with two advisory panels – one made up of state and university officials, the other composed of young adults ages 18-34 – to help shape the series. Newspaper and radio reports began April 28, 2002 and ran daily until May 3, 2002. They included stories about why young people leave, where they go, why some return, how West Virginia culture and stereotypes affect their decision and measures the state could take to stem the migration. The Herald-Dispatch offered the series to papers statewide; all or part of it ran in 11 other newspapers.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting televised a live forum featuring young West Virginians and a special Web site, www.homeforgood.org, featured forums, live chats and interactive graphics that charted migration patterns.
State officials responded to the series, drafting legislation to encourage young people to stay, such as tax credits to help offset student loans. The project also gave new energy to a five-year plan the state devised to diversify the state’s economy, after the series showed many of the measures in the plan had stalled.
Contact:
Len LaCara
Former Managing Editor
Herald-Dispatch
Huntington, WV
Phone: (304) 526-2779
Email: llacara@aol.com
Beth Gorczyca
Reporter
Herald-Dispatch
946 5th Ave.
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-2772
Email: bethg@herald-dispatch.com