Welfare reform, while trying to get families off the welfare rolls and into jobs, often leaves the working poor in limbo. Athens County is taking steps to bridge the gap between welfare reform and the working poor.

Portions of new welfare legislation, known as Ohio Works First, requires all participants to sign a "self-sufficiency" contract, obligating them to work 30 hours per week or be involved in some developmental activity, such as trade school.

Agency officials like Jack Frech, director of the Athens County Department of Human Resources, said he worries this contract could create a different set of problems for working poor families. Often these families are unable to pay many bills despite being employed in low-wage jobs.

The city of Athens is reaching out to these members of the community. Members of local churches and organizations such as Rural Action, Careline and the Department of Human Services have united to form a support group called Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Together this group will provide financial support and assistance to the poor of the area - a type of program rare to many Ohio counties.

"Athens County is certainly a leader. Some counties are just not as committed," said Mark Real, director of the state Children's Defense Fund.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is still in its beginning phases but future plans involve a "pooling" of assistance organizations, financial resources and public donations so families will receive money efficiently and at one time, rather than going from organization to organization.

Tom Hanover, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, said the program is a formally organized aspect of current relief provided by area churches. Many assist families with money for utility bills, medical expenses and even transportation for doctors' visits.

"This program will make (the process of acquiring aid) more convenient and less dehumanizing," Hanover said.

Another program Neighbors Helping Neighbors hopes to launch is the Happy Feet campaign, a project aimed at finding new or used shoes in good condition for school-aged children in Athens County.

"There is already a very successful Coats for Kids program, but it's only cold three months out of the year," said Philip Foster, pastor of The New Life Assembly of God. "Kids need good shoes all year long, and we want to help those who are doing without."

- Jennifer Kossick contributed to this story