At the Knott County Area Technology Center in Hindman, a group of high school seniors is learning more than carpentry. Through EKCEP’s Prosper Appalachia program, part of the state’s Putting Young Kentuckians to Work initiative, they are gaining real-world experience, earning their first paychecks, and helping address the lasting damage from the devastating July 2022 floods.
Students in the school’s carpentry class are stepping out of the classroom and into nearby homes still recovering from flood damage. Under the guidance of instructor Teddy Martin, they are continuing to assist local residents whose homes were impacted by the 2022 floods, including one homeowner whose flooring was damaged when water rushed down the hillside and into the house.
“Today, we’re up here still doing some repairs from the flood damage, the big flood we had in ’22,” Martin said. “We’re up here, a lady that really helps the community a lot, her floors got wet back during the flood and they were in need of repair. So, she pays for the material and me and my class come and do the work.”
For students like Isabella Slone, the experience is both personal and practical. A senior at Knott County Central High School, she enrolled in Prosper Appalachia after hearing about the program from Darlene Campbell, a Career Development Specialist with LKLP Community Action, which works with EKCEP to deliver Prosper services. She had already gained some exposure to hands-on work through her classes.
Through Prosper Appalachia, students are not only building skills through onsite internships and work experience, they are also being paid for their work, often for the first time. Slone described how program staff guided them through every step of the process.
“She explained all that to us, she worked us through all the paperwork, because none of us has ever filled out anything like that before,” Slone said. “She helped us through everything.”
That support continues on the job, from tracking hours to understanding workplace expectations. For Slone, it has been her first real introduction to employment.
The work itself goes far beyond what can be learned in a classroom. Students are solving real problems in real homes, where no two situations are the same.
“I think doing this kind of work compared to doing book and shop work, staying in the shop and working, is so much more important,” Martin said. “You get the real-life experience, the problems that you’re not going to run into in the shop, we’re going to run into here and we’re going to have to do some problem-solving skills.”
That real-world exposure helps prepare students for life after graduation, whether they enter the workforce directly or pursue further education. Slone, who plans to attend Morehead State University, says she expects the skills she’s learning will carry over into her future career.
Beyond technical skills, students are also learning responsibility, communication, and teamwork. They manage timesheets, maintain tools, and learn the importance of accountability on a job site.
“They have to do their time sheet and they have to keep up with their own time and they have to submit it to me,” Martin said. “It’s really good for them to be able to be rewarded for their efforts.”
For Slone, one of the most meaningful aspects of the program is the opportunity to give back to her own community, especially after experiencing the impact of the floods firsthand.
“Makes me feel, you know, helpful,” she said. “It might not make a difference in my day-to-day life, but it will make a difference in her day-to-day life.”
That combination of service, skill-building, and paid work experience is what makes Prosper Appalachia stand out. Students are not only preparing for their futures, they are also helping rebuild Eastern Kentucky, one project at a time.
“I would recommend this program,” Slone said. “It is super easy, [they] help you through everything. It’s just worth it.”
Prosper Appalachia is funded in part through Putting Young Kentuckians to Work, a statewide initiative established in House Bill 1 of the 2024 Kentucky Legislative Session.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations, and is a proud partner in the American Job Center network. Learn more at ekcep.org.
