The New Martinsville Rotary club met on Wednesday May 6, 2026, at Quinet’s Court Restaurant in Downtown New Martinsville and welcomed guest speaker Elizabeth Seckman, Coordinator of Wetzel County Family Resource Network.

She shared a wealth of knowledge with the club about subjects like county transportation, which she said is very much in the works despite a few setbacks. She is staying in touch with officials including Tyler County Emergency Manager Tom Cooper who is actively pursuing the transportation needs of Wetzel and Tyler counties.

Elizabeth is the coordinator of the substance use prevention coalition for Wetzel County, noting that they are nationally certified and growing as a means of positive change within the community. She works out of the Center for Children and Families, located on Main Street in New Martinsville.

She offered to the Rotary some of the programs they are involved with which includes trying to organize and locate a youth and community center in the old middle school building in Paden City which is located on the Tyler County end of town and owned by the Paden City Development Authority. She said they are hoping to make it a place where youth can go and hang out with friends, while maybe playing pool or enjoying other activities.

Elizabeth is also a New Pathways Board member and liaison for the Tyler County Prevention Coalition.

Other current projects of the Family Resource Network include child care, mental health, substance use issues, homelessness, and coordination of services as needed or requested by the state. She is very much involved with providing needed resources for families in the communities.

In her position she is the community connection to resources, the assessor, and the gap filler. She’s a Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee member and the Chair of the Education Committee.

Elizabeth said that of the 2,900 Wetzel County residents under the age of 18, 10 percent are being raised by grands or great-grands. So her work also evolves that group known as Healthy Grandfamilies, which provides education and support through educational programs and activities. They also provide direct care and assistance as needed. She also helps with gambling prevention, through awareness and education.

She spoke about efforts to help and reduce homelessness, which includes providing clothing and food and temporary shelter, which she said is difficult due to the high cost of rent. She added that much of the homelessness is related to substance abuse, while also adding that there is very little homelessness in the immediate area. She said that anyone needing assistance can contact the center and they will look at each situation on a case by case basis.

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The Rotary club enjoyed her very informative talk and thanked her for sharing information with them. The Rotary meets each Wednesday at noon at Quinet’s and interested individuals or prospective members are invited to attend.