After walking 67 miles along the Warrior Trail from Fish Creek near Moundsville, West Virginia, to the Monongahela River in Greensboro, Aaron Houser and Coalbie, Growing Up Greene’s child therapy dog, completed a journey that raised money and awareness for children and families in Greene County.
Aaron Houser and Coalbie.
Houser, the executive director of Growing Up Greene, began the weeklong trek to support the nonprofit’s plans to transform an old office complex on Church Street in Waynesburg into a hub for child welfare services. Along the way, they faced bad weather and rocky terrain during long days on the trail. They attracted attention and donations from supporters following their progress online.
The journey concluded in Greensboro, where several dozen people gathered at the Ice Plant to welcome them home. Employees from Greene County Children and Youth Services joined Houser and Coalbie for the final mile, celebrating the completion of a walk that highlighted the challenges facing the county’s child welfare system.
Houser said the experience left him feeling better than he had in years, while Coalbie remained eager to continue walking. Beyond the money raised, he believed the journey had succeeded in bringing greater attention to the needs of vulnerable children and the professionals who serve them.
Locally, transportation barriers and limited access to resources complicate the work of helping families. However, Greene County Children and Youth Services Administrator Beth Booker and County Commissioner Jared Edgreen both praised Houser’s commitment to making these difficult situations easier for children.
Board Members of Growing Up Greene Robert Berdine, Adrienne Tharp, Treasurer Julia Smith, Vice President Keshia Weaver, Executive Director Aaron Houser, and Therapy Dog Coalbie.
Greene County faces a disproportionate number of child dependency cases compared with neighboring counties. Often, no suitable place is available for those children. Supporters of Houser’s efforts hope that the proposed facility will provide displaced kids with a safe, welcoming environment.
The building, which was previously occupied by the Observer-Reporter, was donated to Growing Up Greene, and would become a central location for child-focused services. One proposed feature is a supervised visitation space designed to resemble a home, allowing parents who have made progress during supervised visits to spend time with their children in a more comfortable setting.
Despite receiving the building, Growing Up Greene faces an estimated $1 million in initial interior and exterior renovation expenses. A GoFundMe campaign has collected $151,425 toward its $875,000 fundraising goal. This amount will be supplemented by private donations.
The organization’s board will evaluate whether the project can move forward after the fund raiser concludes. Houser remains optimistic that donations, community connections and contractors willing to support the cause can make the ambitious undertaking possible.
For Houser, the Warrior Walk represented more than a physical challenge or fundraising campaign. It reflected his commitment to improving the community where he grew up and where he plans to raise his children.
Contributions to the project can be made at give.gofundme.com/warriorwalk.
