The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) is proud to announce a significant success story from its Prosper Appalachia initiative, a program designed to provide high school students with a jumpstart on their careers within their home communities. Morgan County High School graduate Jenna Noble has successfully completed a work experience at the Morgan County Animal Shelter and has now been hired as a part-time Kennel Assistant while she attends Morehead State University.
This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the Prosper Appalachia program in creating meaningful connections between students and local employers. Noble’s work experience was coordinated by Annabell Ross, a Prosper Appalachia Career Development Specialist (CDS) from Gateway Community Action. The experience allowed Noble to gain hands-on skills, prove her value to the organization, and secure a part-time position to earn money while she attends college.
“Gateway gave me the opportunity to work at the Morgan County Animal Shelter through their Prosper Appalachia program. This experience helped me prove myself, and now I’ve been hired on as a part-time employee! I’m so grateful for the opportunity Gateway gave me!” Noble stated.
The success is a point of pride for EKCEP and its partners. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see students like Jenna take ownership of their career path and find success right here in their own community,” said Ross. “Our goal is to give them the tools and confidence to build a future in Eastern Kentucky, and Jenna’s journey is a perfect example of what’s possible when we connect talented students with dedicated local employers.”
Noble’s supervisor, Kathy Bowman, Director of the Morgan County Animal Shelter commented, “Jenna joined our animal shelter through the Prosper Appalachia Program, unsure of what the future would hold—but with a passion for animals and a strong work ethic, she quickly made her mark.
From day one, Jenna approached every task with dedication, whether it was cleaning kennels, walking dogs, or comforting frightened animals. Her compassion, reliability, and willingness to learn didn’t go unnoticed. Staff and volunteers alike were impressed by her positive attitude and natural ability to connect with both animals and people.
Through her time in the paid program, Jenna gained hands-on experience in animal care, learned the ins and outs of shelter operations, and built confidence in a fast-paced environment.
She became an essential part of the team—and when a part-time position opened up, Jenna was the first person we thought of.
Now officially employed, Jenna continues to serve the animals and our community with the same heart and drive she showed from the start. We’re incredibly proud of Jenna and can’t wait to see all that she continues to accomplish!”
EKCEP’s Prosper Appalachia initiative is powered by a recent $7.6 million award from state funding, which is enabling a significant expansion of the program across a 23-county service area. The program’s primary goal is to empower high school students by providing early exposure to career options and the resources needed to succeed in the modern workforce. Through a network of career development specialists placed directly in high schools, students gain access to personalized career planning, soft skills training, and work-based learning opportunities like the one that led to Noble’s success. The initiative underscores the state’s commitment to preparing the next generation of workers and helping them discover fulfilling career paths without having to leave the region.
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. Learn more at ekcep.org.