In this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia, we’ll explore why communities with a culture of volunteerism, and strong support systems, are more resilient. This episode features several stories that all have one thing in common -- they’re about the impacts of community, and social interactions, have on our ability to thrive. We’ll learn about “bright spot” communities in Appalachia, which have better than average health statistics, despite also experiencing economic challenges. Researchers have been studying these communities, where they found most organizations share resources and collaborate on projects. We’ll hear about one such community, Wirt County, West Virginia , where educators at the local schools are partnering with counselors who specialize in helping children who’ve experienced trauma. Also in this episode, we'll explore how music, and in particular spiritual music, can also bring people together, especially when times are tough. Here in Appalachia, there are several