Showing Up Together: Stories of Attendance in Action
When September began, I asked a simple question: “Why be at school?” Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen that question answered in classrooms, homes, and communities across Eastern Kentucky. And while the answers are as unique as the people who shared them, one theme runs through them all: showing up matters—because we matter to […]
The Power of Striving Together
Last week I had the opportunity to attend my first StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network Convening. On my flight to Atlanta, I kept thinking about the state of our world and how divided it has become. I was feeling bogged down in the uncertainty that each day brings and wondering if the work that I […]
One of 15: Rosie Stafford Earns Prestigious GPC Certification
We are thrilled to share that our Program Manager, Rose-Linda “Rosie” Stafford, has joined an elite group of just 15 professionals in Kentucky to earn the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential. This certification, awarded by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), is the gold standard for grant professionals nationwide. With fewer than 650 GPCs across […]
Why Be at School? Because the Future Is Built One Day at a Time
As National Attendance Awareness Month begins, I think back on 30 years in education—and it’s not the ceremonies or milestones I remember most, but the everyday moments that shape students’ lives. The morning a student shows up after missing a week. The teacher who pauses long enough to ask, “What’s going on?” in a calm […]
Hearts and Minds United: How Monthly APPC2C Partner Meetings Are Building a Better Appalachia
When the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) convenes its monthly partner meeting, the energy in the (virtual) room is undeniable. Despite the distance between counties and computer screens, every person shows up with one shared purpose: to build a better Appalachia—one student, one family, one system at a time. These monthly meetings are where […]
From Behind the Lens to Big Dreams: Meet Ella Harris
Meet Ella Harris — a cheerful, mindful, and kind soul who has been shining on our communications team with her creativity and positive energy! A Social Work major at Lincoln Memorial University, Ella brings confidence to her role—always ready to try something new, snap a great photo, and seek new opportunities. Throughout her internship, Ella […]
Fleming-Neon Library Makeover Opens New Chapter for Student Learning
A quiet transformation has taken place at Fleming-Neon Middle School—one that promises to inspire students for years to come. Thanks to a partnership between the school and Partners for Rural Impact’s Letcher Promise Neighborhood, the school’s long-outdated library has undergone a complete renovation, turning a neglected space into a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration and […]
Shiners: A Packed House, Powerful Stories, and the Heart of Appalachian Kentucky
On Sunday, June 22, the Cinemark Theater in Richmond was filled wall to wall—not just with people, but with pride, emotion, and applause—as Shiners: Voices from Owsley County made its Kentucky debut. This wasn’t just a film screening. It was a moment. A celebration of youth, place, and the transformational power of storytelling. Shiners, directed […]
Turning the Page: How Library Revamps in Harlan County Are Changing the Game for Students
If you step into Cawood Elementary today, you will find a space that looks like a vibrant and creative reading lounge for students. Colorful furniture, STEAM tools, and cozy reading corners are just a few of the major refurbishments the library received. “Our library looked like a time machine when I was in elementary school, […]
Featured on StriveTogether: A Closer Look at Our Work in Appalachian Kentucky
We’re proud to share that the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) has been featured on the StriveTogether blog in a new story titled Postsecondary Completion: A Community Strategy for Economic Mobility in Appalachian Kentucky. This piece highlights the power of place-based partnerships in rural communities—and how our region is rethinking what it means to […]