Testimonials & Success Stories

"I was born and raised in Wheeling and enjoyed every minute of it. When I attended WVU, my eyes were really open to the many opportunities that existed outside of Wheeling. So, I decided to move to Baltimore with a college roommate. Living in a bigger city was great, at first. But, the longer I was there, the more I realized I missed small town living. A night out with friends in Baltimore was so much more expensive than a whole weekend out in Wheeling. Although I had friends in my new town, I missed the close relationships I had in Wheeling. So, I chose to move back to Wheeling. I attended WJU where I received my Masters degree and rekindled old school and neighborhood friendships. Moving back to Wheeling was a sigh of relief - everything felt so comfortable, safe and welcoming. I forgot how reassuring it was to see familiar faces in the grocery store, gas stations and church. That's what I was missing in a bigger city."

"It's not just the small town that drew me back to Wheeling - it was family and friends. I moved to Clarksburg with my husband for his job over two years ago. Sure, it was another small West Virginia town, similar to Wheeling. While it offered many of the same conveniences and economical benefits of Wheeling, it lacked the hospitable feeling. When we moved to Clarksburg, my sister had just given birth to her second child. Being in Wheeling for her first, I was able to enjoy all of his firsts - talking, walking, etc., and I didn't want to miss that with her second. My family is very close, both immediate and extended, so being with them is very important to me.

"Each time I've moved away from Wheeling, the euphoric feeling always wore off and I longed to be back home. Now, Sunday dinners at the parents' house aren't a rushed time, short visit and anxious to get on the road to return to Morgantown, Baltimore or Clarksburg. It's now a relaxing, enjoyable visit with family.

"My previous homes will always be there, and knowing that they are a short drive away, I can go back and reminisce as often as I like. But, I will always return to that Wheeling feeling where I feel most at home. I will have plenty of stories to share with my children and grandchildren about my adventures of moving around, but always coming home to Wheeling. And isn't that what life is all about - coming home to family and friends??"

Krissie Benson
Director of Development
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston