Bright Futures - Barbour County

27/03/2026

At our monthly meeting yesterday, the youth coalition members outnumbered the adults. How great to see the future of our community caring and participating!

Sandra Marfield, from Centers Against Violence, presented to the coalition about April being National Sexual Assault Awareness month. Thank you, Sandra, for the important and valuable work that you do.

We provide advocacy services to adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking, emergency shelter, outreach services, and legal assistance for domestic violence petitions, custody, and divorce proceedings

10/03/2026

🍀 West Virginia 4-H Health Ambassador Training

Teens ages 13–18 enrolled in 4-H are invited to attend the WV 4-H Health Ambassador Training! During this training, participants will:

✅ Learn how to teach the Health Rocks! curriculum
✅ Receive a Health Ambassador teaching kit
✅ Connect with a community adult mentor (Extension faculty, staff, or a 4-H volunteer) to help implement the program locally

This is a great opportunity for teens who want to build leadership skills, promote healthy choices, and make a positive impact in their communities.

📅 Date: March 14, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Barbour County Extension Office
🍽️ Lunch Provided

Registration link: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/46282

📝 Registration Open: February 21, 2026 (8:30 AM)
⏰ Registration Closes: March 13, 2026 (10:00 AM)

For more information, contact Heather Perkins at heather.perkins@mail.wvu.edu

🍀

06/03/2026

This weekend is a Winter Fair put by CEOS and WVU Barbour County Extension Service, our longtime coalition member.

Check out all the activities they have for kids - and for full schedule of events, check out their page.

The event is taking place at Battlers K**b LLC!

20/02/2026

During the trip to Washington, DC, for 36th Annual CADCA Conference, Bright Futures Youth Council members met with the representative from Congressman's Riley Moore's office and discussed the impact of substance use in their personal lives and our community.

Later that afternoon, they join other West Virginia organizations that work on delaying the use of substances among our youth in the state, and met with Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

19/02/2026

First week of February, members of Bright Futures Youth Council had an opportunity to attend 36th Annual CADCA Conference in Washington, DC, where they spent time attending seminars on various topics, different youth oriented events, meeting with our representatives in US Congress, and sightseeing.

Our informational meeting for those wishing to join Youth Council will be coming up, so make sure to follow our page for more info on how to join!

10/02/2026

Bright Futures partnered with the Prevention Works Pathfinders in strengthening our youth coalition. Pathfinders learn useful skills and important substance use prevention knowledge critical in our community. Of the five teens we took to DC last week, three were Pathfinders.

27/01/2026

The Bright Futures substance use prevention coalition launched its 2026 membership campaign last Thursday evening, January 22, at its annual meeting held at Battlers K**b. The event, blending fellowship with formal purpose, drew a diverse cross-section of supporters dedicated to building a healthier future for the region’s youth.
Now in its third year, the January membership signing meeting has become a tradition for the coalition, intentionally designed to mirror the significance of a “letter of intent” signing in collegiate athletics.

“Most of us did not get a college scholarship for a sports program, so we missed that moment,” said program coordinator Ruston Seaman. “This is our moment to smile and sign in.” Attendees did just that, putting their names to 2026 coalition commitment forms after a shared meal and interactive discussions.

The gathering, which began at 5 p.m., served as both a launchpad and a reunion. Representatives from the coalition’s 12 targeted sectors, including youth, parents, businesses, local organizations, and the faith community, came together to share a meal, exchange ideas, and solidify plans for the year ahead. The emphasis was on fostering meaningful youth-adult interaction and strengthening the broad base of support that defines the coalition’s approach.

Founded in 2018, Bright Futures has worked consistently to propel the community forward. As stated in pre-meeting materials, the coalition functions as a vital tool “to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors in communities where substance abuse is a significant problem.” The annual signing event is a cornerstone of that effort, creating a collective recommitment to this mission.
“We are building a network of support that leaves no part of our community out,” Seaman said during the proceedings. “Every signature represents a promise to our youth and to each other.”

For those unable to attend, coalition leaders announced plans for follow-up to confirm participation and integrate new ideas. The organization encourages ongoing involvement from all sectors, emphasizing that the work of building protective frameworks is a year-round endeavor.

For more information or to get involved, contact Ruston Seaman at ruston@nvre.org or visit

20/01/2026

Bright Futures annual member signing ceremony will take place this Thursday, January 22, at 5:30 p.m., at Burbick Hall at Battlers K**b.

Any youth serving organization is invited to join Barbour Futures as we work on addressing substance use among our young people through providing activities and education..

If you have been a member before, or wish to join at this time, you are invited to our gathering on Thursday.

As a member, you will have a benefit of educational resources, and marketing and PR support for your group and your events.

In the past, the members also qualified for additional financial support (depending on the availability and requirement of grants and donations).

Those who were already members have received an RSVP email last week, so please respond to it so we can have approximate head count for snacks and refreshments.

If you have not been a member before, please send us message here on Facebook so we can count you in!

22/12/2025

Last Thursday, Bright Futures Barbour County held their Christmas Party at Battlers K**b. The organization whose core mission is substance use prevention and delay of the substance use among youth, spent the evening in fellowship and recognition, and ended it with a spirited gingerbread house build competition.

There are over 40 local organizations and entities that are members of Bright Futures and several of them received a gift in form of additional funding to help offset the cost of utilities and transportation. These groups provide space for local youth to be physically active at no or minimal cost, as well as provide transport for youth who do not have access to it in order to get as many as possible to participate in county activities. Those receiving checks are: Young Life, Weaver Nazarene Church, Barbour County Strutters, New Vision, New Life, City of Belington, Camp Hope, Brownton Community Center, and Battlers K**b.

Additionally, the night included special recognition of Prevention Works graduates. Prevention Works is a program that places local youth with businesses in the county and provides opportunities for earning various certifications. Aside of gaining job experience, young people within the program also were able to get CPR certification and/or driver s permit, giving them a leg up for future employment opportunities.

Bright Futures will hold their annual member signing event on January 22 at Battlers K**b. Groups and organizations that become members will benefit from having their program amplified through public relations and communication, as well as be eligible for various forms of additional funding. Those interested should contact Marija Ilic at 304-476-0016 or marija12@hotmail.com.

16/11/2025

Schedule for today, Sunday, November 16

6-7pm - skill session, boys and girls. Please let me know if your kid is coming so I can plan the session

7-9pm - open gym - open to everyone/all ages

13/11/2025

There are only four spots open in the CARE afterschool program for 3 and 4 year olds.

CARE stands for Community, Attitude, Responsibility, and Empathy — the values that guide everything we do. Through these principles, students will build friendships, develop leadership skills, and receive mentorship from trained teen leaders under the direction of Odie Haddix and a team of dedicated mentors in partnership with New Vision and the Prevention Works Pathways Program.

Program Details:
When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 3:30–5:00 PM
Where: Chestnut Ridge Epicenter
End Date: December 17 (End Ceremony: December 18)
No sessions: Week of November 11 & 19, and week of November 24.

The sign up form is in the link.

CARE After-School Program Enrollment Form Child Information Full Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ______________________________________________ Grade: ______________________________School: ______________________________ Parent/Guardian Information Name: __...

24/10/2025