Apr 4, 2018 3 min read

Only a few pages in, you’ve probably already noticed that this issue of Living in Washington County magazine looks a bit different. After nearly 11 years of publishing, it was time for a redesign. This project has been in the works for well over a year, as we went back and forth over names, logos, fonts and page design. Of course, we wanted to remain true to who we are – and who you are.

The content will continue to highlight the best of Washington County and the people who make it a wonderful place to live. We will continue to bring you upcoming events, food news, gardening tips, and, my favorite, historical photos from our archives. And we will continue to spotlight our neighbors with interesting and powerful stories, as well as folks who have roots in Washington County, but may have moved to, say, Los Angeles or Italy to continue their stories.

The heroin epidemic, sadly, is a big story in Washington County – and all over the country – right now. Tales of successful recovery are few and far between, but we want to share as many of them as we can. On page 14, staff writer Karen Mansfield writes about Washington County Jail’s work release program, and how it’s setting up current inmates for success once they are back on the outside – and reducing the burden on tax payers while the inmates serve their sentences. Along the way, she met Jeffry Irwin, who graces the cover of this issue. He’s currently employed at Washington Brewing Company. It’s a job that he started while serving a 12-month sentence for possession with intent to deliver, and he’s decided to remain at Washington Brewing upon his release – which occurred just a week after we photographed him.

We’re proud to feature Irwin on our cover, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues his journey and his story.

This issue had an accidental theme of hope, and it’s evident in A Conversation With … CASA for Kids executive director Vivian Osowski on page 12. The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County organization is made up of volunteers who advocate for kids who would otherwise be lost in the system – children who make up the worst cases in Washington County. They remain with on their children’s cases until they are placed in a safe, permanent home and the case closes, which can take up to two or three years. But thanks to those volunteers who go through serious training, and give countless hours, children who otherwise could have gotten lost in the system have a fighting chance at a stable life.

On page 20, you will meet Troy and Elaine Schuler, volunteers for the Youth Mentoring Program at the Armory Youth Center in Canonsburg. The couple saw a big need for a mentoring program in Washington County, particularly in areas with a high percentage of single-parent households. While the program is still in its infancy, there’s no shortage of children who can benefit from it. There is, however, a shortage of mentors right now. Regardless, the Schulers and their peers are making a difference in the community. There’s no doubt about that.

In putting together this issue, with its fresh new look and inspiring stories, I realized that at the end of the day, no matter how bad things seem, there’s always hope. And that’s surely something to hold on to.

Best,