Mikes Dad News Today

People here with new ideas and bring life back into these mountains. >> it is why ikes old high school holds a celebration to recognize seniors education. >> we want to make sure that we showcase the academic excellence of our students. >> reporter: and why the gear up program has tracked more than 10,000 students like ike from seventh grade on in the ten poorest counties of west virginia, offering s.a.t. prep and offering scholarships. and now ike is paying it forward. this summer working with ...

Some ways because it is so impoverished. >> 10% to 20% of people op drugs? >> yes. and when you look at the kids and the impact on children like ike, they told me they think 75% of the children in the county, 75% are touched by abuse and neglect, largely because of drugs. >> we are going to stay on this story. thank you, kate, for continuing to do that. be sure to watch more tonight on "nbc nightly news." just in time for labor day, the president is attacking the head of the afl-cio, the large...

Gear up. >> so you grew up right here. >> reporter: his self confidence is hard earned from too many life lessons. when you were a kid, would you bring people by the house? >>. >> no, no one saw where i live. >> reporter: you were worried they would see your mom. >> i was terrified that they would see moms nodding off. >> reporter: ikes mom starts taking xanax once a month. >> reporter: ikes dad was in prison and died of an overdose. his rebellion was being a straight a student. >> ike, hes a tr...

Its the people who were teaching it who are wrong. >> reporter: mikes dad feels differently. >> its a huge disappointment. for me personally, its driven me away certainly from the catholic church per se, not away from the precepts of living a good life, but from the institution of the church. >> no, it doesnt shake my faith at all. you know, we all have our weaknesses. we all have our struggles in life. >> reporter: the vatican is certainly struggling to calm a tidal wave of abuse allegations. p...