Lee County residents Cassandra Arnold and Kyle Taulbee overcame significant personal challenges on their path to recovery and have now secured stable employment, thanks to the career services made available to them at the Middle Kentucky Career Center and through EKCEP’s Project REACH initiative.
Two years ago, while in the early stages of rebuilding their lives, Arnold and Taulbee became clients at Middle Kentucky Career Center in Lee County, where they were connected with additional support from EKCEP’s Project REACH. Determined to not only recover from addiction but also create a future of purpose and financial independence, they embraced the program’s training and career development opportunities.
Project REACH (Recovery Employment and Career Help) is part of EKCEP’s Recovery & Reentry Services division and funded by a grant from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. It is designed to assist Eastern Kentuckians in successful recovery from Opioid Use Disorder as they reenter the workforce. For Cassandra and Kyle, that support was what they needed to help them get into the workforce and maintain their lives free from addiction.
“The clinic got us clean, but this kept us sober,” the couple agreed.
With the help of job placement services through the career center, Arnold and Taulbee secured employment, earning a sustainable wage with full benefits. Their new roles offer them financial stability and a renewed sense of dignity and purpose. Their employer, Flowers Bakery of London, was happy to give them both a second chance at a sustainable career with opportunities for advancement.
Further enhancing their career prospects, both Arnold and Taulbee earned peer support certification—a significant milestone that transformed their lived experiences into valuable professional qualifications.
Looking ahead, Cassandra aspires to become a peer support specialist, driven by a desire to “give back, where I’ve been an addict, and help people who have had struggles with similar things.” Meanwhile, Kyle is already on track for a promotion at the bakery, where he serves as a positive example for new employees.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to better yourself just because you’re insecure about something from your past,” she said.
Cassandra and Kyle have significantly strengthened their communication, job readiness, and leadership skills, noted their career advisor, Angela Morris, adding that this experience set them on a path to employment and will continue to contribute to their success in the workplace.
“I could not be more proud; everyone deserves a second chance,” Morris said.
Cassandra and Kyle continue to thrive in their jobs and remain dedicated to their personal and professional growth. They now serve as role models to others in recovery, demonstrating that a better life is possible with the proper support.
For more information about EKCEP’s Recovery and Reentry Services, visit ekcep.org/recovery or contact your local Kentucky Career Center.
The Middle Kentucky Career Center provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe counties. Operated by the Middle Kentucky Community Action Agency under contract with EKCEP, the center assists individuals with skill enhancement, such as résumé building and employer networking, and also supports those needing training or other career support.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates a network of Kentucky Career Centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof.