Many rural youth in Russell County, Virginia, are at risk of becoming dropouts due to economic and social factors seen throughout Appalachia. These influences include high levels of unemployment and poverty, adult illiteracy, low self-esteem, and lack of role models that demonstrate the value of educational attainment. United Way of Southwest Virginia and Russell County Public Schools have taken a two-pronged approach in dealing with at-risk students: enhancement of self-esteem and partnerships for educational excellence. The Youth Experiencing Success (YES) program consists of 16 formatted sessions that teach life skills to youth in an informal group setting, thereby enhancing self-esteem and making possible a positive transition into adulthood. Following a successful pilot implementation in four remote communities, YES entered the public schools and has served 1,245 seventh graders to date. Town meetings were held to raise public awareness of the problems of at-risk youth and to identify community concerns. At an overnight retreat for school administrators and community and business leaders, corporate executive officers from leading industries outlined increasing educational qualifications for employment by the year 2000 and pointed out some of Russell County's specific problems. These executives offered corporate in-kind support. Activities undertaken by these partnerships and by community groups, local agencies, and a nearby university are described. Tables detail quality of life indicators, dropout rates, unemployment, and educational attainment in southwest Virginia. (SV)