mission statement
Coda Mountain Academy lives and breathes the mission of community transformation. By recognizing that the pillars of family, education, wellness, leadership, and faith are inextricably interwoven, deep and sustainable change is possible. On a foundation of integrity and collaborative relationships, innovative and diverse programs are delivered that target societal challenges.
ideology
Our communities are in crisis. Coda Mountain Academy exists to serve and uplift Appalachian children and families in a county deeply affected by poverty, food insecurity, and the opioid crisis. Many of the youth we serve are burdened by anxiety, fear, and isolation. Various forms of addiction shape the challenges they face, including screen addiction, which can quietly hold them captive and prevent healthy growth. They are no more able to spread their wings than a caterpillar in a cocoon.
Coda understands that lasting change requires more than a single solution. By addressing the interconnected pillars of family, education, wellness, leadership, and faith, we work to restore hope, belonging, and the foundation for lives of purpose and resilience.
family
Coda believes that healthy families are protective factors for our youth. Supportive family environments also help interrupt cycles of trauma, addiction, and instability, creating a foundation for resilience and hope. For at-risk youth, healthy families are not only a source of care but a powerful protective factor that shapes their ability to thrive. Our Coda Community events bring families together to bowl, sew, cook, do art and more. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in their children’s world by attending concerts and open houses that happen several times a year. Coda takes time to inspire and encourage parents/guardians at their events. Vetted parent/guardian volunteers pull them into their child’s world at camp or after-school. Lastly, Coda becomes a second family to many and to some who do not have a healthy family, it can become their only family. Stable, supportive family relationships provide children with a sense of safety, belonging, and identity, which are critical for emotional regulation and healthy development.
Education
West Virginia often ranks near the bottom nationally in overall educational outcomes, with particularly significant challenges in math proficiency. Trauma in the classroom has affected not only academic performance but also morale. Teachers, students, bus drivers, and administrators alike struggle to find the strength to continue, and many have ultimately left the profession. Coda’s goal is to help restore hope and morale for both students and staff by providing meaningful, complementary learning experiences. Through enrichment opportunities in STEM, music, art, bowling, horticulture, and more, Coda supplements traditional education in ways that reignite curiosity and confidence. When a child finds a place to belong and experiences success—whether by building a robot, playing an instrument, or creating a piece of art—that confidence and renewed love of learning often carry back into the classroom, strengthening both academic engagement and personal growth.
Coda Mountain Academy lives and breathes the mission of community transformation. By recognizing how deeply intertwined family, education, wellness, leadership, and faith truly are, we create space for deep and lasting change. When children are supported on every level, they are no longer confined by circumstance—they are free to grow, lead, and flourish.
Wellness
Wellness is foundational to the healthy development of at-risk youth. Many young people facing poverty, instability, trauma, or exposure to addiction experience chronic stress that affects their physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to learn. By prioritizing wellness, youth gain essential coping skills, emotional awareness, and resilience, enabling them to engage more fully in education, build healthy relationships, and make positive life choices. Within Coda’s nurturing and empowering environment, students find a safe place to belong and begin to recognize their worth. Being surrounded by caring adults and given opportunities to succeed in new skills is transformative. Anxiety and fear give way to confidence, and isolation is replaced by a family-like community that supports and strengthens each child. For at-risk youth, wellness is not a luxury but a necessity—it provides the stable foundation needed for long-term growth, confidence, and success.
leadership
Leadership plays a critical role in the wellness of at-risk youth and the health of their communities. Strong, compassionate leadership among Coda staff provides stability, vision, and positive role models for young people who may lack consistent guidance or safe examples of authority. Coda’s Youth Leadership program allows kids who age out of Coda programs to become interns. They receive professional development and take great pride in the responsibilities and skills they are given. They gain confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging, all of which are essential to emotional and mental well-being. Leadership development also empowers youth to make responsible choices, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute positively to their communities. In turn, communities benefit as emerging leaders help foster resilience, connection, and shared responsibility, creating environments where both individuals and neighborhoods can heal and thrive.
Faith
Faith can play a vital role in the life of an at-risk child by offering hope, meaning, and a sense of stability in the midst of uncertainty. Coda Revive provides a safe, non-judgemental place for youth to explore or strengthen their faith. It is non-ecumenical with Christian volunteer staff from a variety of church backgrounds. For children facing trauma, poverty, or instability, faith provides a framework for understanding their worth and believing in a future beyond their present circumstances. It can foster resilience by encouraging perseverance, forgiveness, and trust, while also offering moral guidance and a sense of purpose. When paired with supportive relationships and positive role models, faith helps at-risk children develop inner strength, emotional grounding, and hope—powerful anchors that support healing, healthy decision-making, and long-term well-being.