Tom Kolwiecki came to Justice County with hopes to battle America's War on Poverty. Although his intentions were good, he was never able to truly accomplish what he intended. Throughout the novel he ran in to many hardships, mostly dealing with the people living in Number Thirteen. He set out to do many good things in order to fight poverty within Number Thirteen. Over time, the mining town realized that Tom was only a nuisance to the community. Giardina through Kolwiecki shows the negative impact that VISTA's had in Appalachia.
             "[After the creation of the Peace Corps], President Kennedy organized a small group of people to determine the feasibility of a domestic volunteer service program. Volunteers In Service to America was then later established after Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. VISTA's goal was to eliminate poverty in the midst of plenty by opening to everyone the opportunity to work and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity." (Zelson) The VISTA's were supposed to be a positive influence, yet Tom was looked at with much criticism when he first arrived at Number Thirteen. He first met Hassel, one of the more hopeful characters in the novel. Hassel first laughs when he hears of how VISTA's are meant to help end poverty. He remarks how he, "got a hoot out of that" (Giardina 175). Tom's reply to Hassel however was very shady, saying, "no, really" (Giardina 175), at the same time laughing. Giardina makes the point here, and throughout the book that Tom had very little confidence within himself. Although the mountain people were not the smartest, they could definitely see this within him, and that made them wonder if he really would be able to do what he said he would.
             Many workers within Thirteen were actually offended that Tom had come. Part of this hatred derived from the poor conditions that had existed in the coal camps...