Introduction to TRACK: Teaching Resilience And Community Knowledge

“Sometimes the path narrows, funneling down to a single thread. In those moments, you must remain sharp—focused like the needle that threads the way forward.”

This philosophy guides the TRACK program. In Appalachia, opportunities can feel scarce—like walking a tight thread through economic hardship, limited infrastructure, and shrinking resources. But with clarity of purpose and the right tools, even narrow paths lead to powerful destinations.

TRACK empowers youth and returning citizens in rural communities with hands-on training in ecological restoration, sustainable housing, and community development. Whether learning to build a home, cultivate native gardens, or revitalize soil through composting and biochar, every participant becomes part of a movement—sharpening their skills and threading new possibilities for themselves and their hometowns.