Big Creek People In Action, Inc. was founded in 1990 by citizens of McDowell County, West Virginia. Since that time, this nonprofit organization has been serving the community of McDowell County in the realms of education and literacy, leadership development, volunteer service, service learning, arts and culture, housing, recreation, and collaborative partnerships. BCPIA's vision of McDowell County is one of empowered and self-sufficient people living in communities that are economically vibrant, democratic, and socially just.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“Almost Heaven”
Family Support Center
In 2022, the WV Department of Health and Human Resources designated Big Creek People in Action as the Family Support Center for McDowell County. As a Family Support Center, we recognize all families have strengths on which to build, support families to recognize and exercise their power, promote access to resources available in their communities and use a strengths-based family-centered approach toward improving family health and well-being. Our program is based on the five protective factors: Parenting Resilience, Social Connections, Concrete Support in Time of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, and Social and Emotional Competence of Children.
Served
During 2022, BCPIA served 3,828 people with programs to educate as well as provide basic human needs. A total of 10,597 meals were served out of the Center and we coordinated 14,221 hours of service by 471 volunteers from inside and outside the area.
New for 2022
We were able to hire a new staff position as the Parent Coordinator/Tutor. We installed a new dropped ceiling at the Pantry to help with heating costs. We were able to purchase a fourth van for the use of our afterschool program in order to transport more students. We purchased a truck to use for the Housing Rehabilitation program.
2022 Special Events
Community Baby Shower– We had a “Drive Through” event serving 61 with new baby items.
Mountain Music Festival – After two years of not having the Mountain Music Festival because of the pandemic, we invited everyone back to come and enjoy a day with delicious food, great music, and good ole’ family fun.
War Festival – We set up outside at the War Festival and sold food and did Carnival Games.
Turkey and Food Box Giveaway – In November, members for The Berean Way Church in South Carolina brought in 200 turkeys and food boxes. They were distributed at a Drive- Through along with another food box and dental kits provided by Americans Helping Americans to serve 718 people.
Ham Giveaway – To support the low-income working people, we purchased and delivered a ham to the people who work in War and others in the community, serving 574.
Community Christmas Activities - We provided lots of gifts for our families with help from churches from South Carolina and the Second Baptist Church from Richmond. Personalized gifts were bought for children, mom and dad gifts were purchased for the kids to give their parents, and treat bags and food boxes were prepared for each family. We served 437 people at the Drive Through event.