From One Idea to a Valley-Wide Movement
Smithers Skill Swap began with a simple belief: everyone has something worth sharing.
I’m Katherine McGraw, an AmeriCorps VISTA member stationed in Smithers, WV, through the West Virginia Community Development Hub. Born and raised in Sophia, WV, I’ve seen the power and resilience of Appalachian communities firsthand, and I’ve also witnessed the challenges we face: limited resources, economic shifts, and the risk of losing the skills and traditions that make us truly unique.
The Skill Swap idea sparked when I noticed that neighbors had incredible talents from canning and carpentry to music and mechanics, but often kept them to themselves. What if there was a space where anyone could teach, learn, and connect without pressure?
Skill Swap is more than classes. It’s the revival of neighbor-to-neighbor trust, a celebration of Appalachian resourcefulness, and a bridge between generations.
Vision Statement
We envision an Upper Kanawha Valley where knowledge flows freely between neighbors, where the skills of our grandparents live on in the hands of our children, and where anyone, regardless of income, background, or age, can step into a welcoming space and be both a teacher and a learner.
Skill Swap isn’t just about learning how to do something new. It’s about strengthening the fabric of our community so distance, politics, or hard times can’t tear it. It’s about ensuring the next generation inherits not just our stories, but our precious know-how.
Mission Statement
Smithers Skill Swap creates welcoming spaces where neighbors can share their skills, learn from one another, and build lasting community connections in the Upper Kanawha Valley.
Core Values
Every neighbor, no matter their background, age, or income, has a place at the table — and a skill worth sharing.
We honor and preserve the knowledge, traditions, and resources that keep our Appalachian communities strong.
From heritage crafts to modern know-how, we pass on skills so they live beyond a single generation.
We believe in improving our community without displacing the people who make it home.
Skill Swap strengthens the bonds between neighbors through shared learning and respect.
