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 […]
Rural AmeriCorps: Building Communities from the Inside Out
— Dreama Gentry, President and CEO, Partners for Rural Impact AmeriCorps is often framed as an urban program, where young people travel to unfamiliar cities to serve and strengthen those urban places. As a result, the current conversation about defunding AmeriCorps centers on the devastating impact that cutting AmeriCorps programs would have in urban places. […]
Turning the Page on Our Literacy Crisis Will Require All of Us
Editor’s Note: This blog post is co-authored by Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, President & CEO of the National Center for Family Learning, and Dreama Gentry, Chief Executive Officer of Partners for Rural Impact. Both are native Kentuckians with decades of experience leading transformative education and literacy initiatives. In George Ella Lyon’s children’s book Come a […]
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to a partnership between the school and Partners for Rural Impact’s Letcher Promise Neighborhood, the school’s long-outdated library has undergone a complete renovation, turning a neglected space into a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration and […]
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, […]
AmeriCorps in Action: PartnerCorps PRI Students Lead the Way in Kentucky Classrooms and Communities
In four Appalachian Kentucky high schools, AmeriCorps PartnerCorps PRI is doing more than offering students a service opportunity—it’s transforming how they see themselves, their futures, and the power of community. At Bell County, Knox Central, Leslie County, and Perry County Central High Schools, seniors are closing out their final year with more than credits and […]
Investing in Civic Engagement and the Next Generation: Dr. Melissa Newman to Speak at INN Days 2025
This June, Dr. Melissa Newman will take the national stage at INN Days 2025 in Minneapolis—the country’s largest gathering of nonprofit news leaders, funders, researchers, and civic innovators. The event comes at a critical time, as communities across the U.S. rally to rebuild local news ecosystems and strengthen civic infrastructure through initiatives like Press Forward. […]
Raising Resilient Teens: Third Event Sheds Light on the Effects of Childhood Trauma
Trigger Warning: Mentions of trauma and suicide The third event of the Raising Resilient Teens speaker series was held at Mexico High School on Thursday, March 20. Christina McCaw, Director of Student Services for Mexico Public Schools, led an important conversation on trauma, discussing its definitions, signs, and strategies for supporting those who experience it. […]