On the Road
Staying Warm in the South
Making sure the cold doesn't keep kids down
What is energy insecurity? For many Southern families in the United States, winter brings more than a chill; it brings tough decisions. Energy insecurity (EI), a silent crisis affecting millions nationwide, often signifies an inability to meet heating, cooling, and energy needs. Low-income families, especially in rural areas, often face drafty homes and skyrocketing utility bills that outpace paychecks. When the cold sets in, some must make heartbreaking “heat or eat” choices, spending what little […]
Literacy and Livelihood
The far reaching impact of literacy for under-served children
At its heart, literacy is about possibility. It’s about giving a child the tools to learn, to dream, and to choose their own path forward. When we invest in literacy early, especially in underserved communities, we aren’t just teaching children how to read: we are helping them write a different future. current literacy issues 79% of adults in the U.S. are functionally literate. That means roughly one in five adults struggle with basic reading and […]
Compassion Into Action, One Meal At A Time
Food insecurity in Eastern Kentucky is a serious problem
In the quiet town of Pike County, Kentucky, for the last seven years, Brittany has been the dependable leader for our sponsored children, working hard to guarantee they have what they need everyday so their education isn’t disrupted. Brittany is our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator at the Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) at our affiliated site Belfry Middle School. She, like all our coordinators, performs a variety of roles and responsibilities to ensure the […]
Reaching Significant Milestones
René Kube discusses Cowan Elementary School's growth as a sign of progress
Cowan Elementary School, located off State Highway 931 in the Dongola community, just south of Whitesburg, Kentucky, serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade. It’s worth noting that Dongola, the school’s physical address, lost its post office, so the school’s mailing address is now Whitesburg. With a growing student population of about 287, Cowan Elementary School is reaching a significant milestone. For many years, its Family Resource Youth Services Center has been combined with that […]
Educational Aspirations in Rural America
Renée Kube visits Arlie Boggs Elementary School in Kentucky
Our affiliated school, Arlie Boggs, is a kindergarten through eighth-grade school with a small population of just 128 students. It’s located in the community of Eolia, in the southeastern part of the county. It’s in a rural area, sandwiched between Bad Branch State Nature Preserve and the Virginia state line. There is a lot of poverty in this community — 84% of the children come from low-income families. The children are also struggling academically. The […]
Dealing with Persistent Poverty in Kentucky
Renée Kube visits Jenkins Independent Schools while in Letcher County
During my visit to Letcher County for the first time since the historic flooding that struct southeastern Kentucky in July 2022, I first visited Jenkins Independent Schools. Jenkins Independent Schools comprises two schools: Burdine Elementary and Jenkins Middle-High. Several years ago, at the request of our coordinator, Angela, Children Incorporated “administratively merged” Burdine Elementary into Jenkins Middle-High. They operate as one affiliated site. Angie looks over both schools; they share one Family Resource Youth Services […]