To the editor:
I live in Athens County, and I’ve worked hard to rebuild my life.
I’m in recovery. I’ve done the work. I’ve followed the rules. I’ve earned certifications and shown up for my kids. I’m doing exactly what people say you’re supposed to do to get back on your feet.
But here’s the truth: even when you do everything right, you can still be blocked by systems that aren’t working the way they should.
Housing in this county is already hard enough to find. Add in a past connected to addiction, and the door closes even faster. So when public housing resources become uncertain or strained, it doesn’t just create inconvenience, it creates real harm for people trying to rebuild.
At the same time, ongoing concerns tied to Job and Family Services have made it harder for families to rely on the basic supports they need. When access to food assistance, childcare, and case support becomes inconsistent, it puts people in impossible situations.
These are not separate problems. They stack on top of each other.
You can’t focus on recovery if you don’t know where you’re going to live. You can’t keep a job if you don’t have stable childcare. You can’t move forward if the systems meant to support you feel unpredictable.
Athens County has already carried more than its share of hardship. The people here are doing the work to change their lives. The systems around them need to be strong enough to support that effort.
We need accountability. We need transparency. And most importantly, we need systems people can actually depend on.
Because right now, too many people are doing everything right and still being left behind.
Alicia Barnes
Nelsonville, Ohio