Get on the path to a better life for you and your family with Paths 2 Promise!

If you receive or qualify for SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) in Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Perry, or Whitley County, you could get the following benefits:

  • Prepare for a new career while receiving SNAP benefits
  • Help with transportation (up to $200) and child care expenses each month
  • Free training, worth thousands of dollars, to help you gain employment with good pay in a high demand career field
  • Get matched with employers for immediate work experience and internship opportunities
  • Support from a personal Career Navigator and Success Coach

LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PATHS 2 PROMISE, REGISTER HERE, OR CONTACT A CAREER NAVIGATOR IN YOUR COUNTY:

Bell County: Martha Williams - 606-337-3044, ext. 207

Clay County: Edwina Blevins - 606-598-5127, ext. 267

Harlan County: Beth Craig - 606-573-5330, ext. 237

Knox County: Candace Smith - 606-546-2639, ext. 16

Perry, Leslie, & Letcher County: Allison Brown - 606-436-3161, ext. 5016

Whitley County: Emily Devers - 606-258-2250

Follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on Paths 2 Promise activities and events: facebook.com/Paths2Promise

Funding provided by United States Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Partners include Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP), Department for Community Based Services, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky Adult Education, the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.

Partners and employers in the Promise Zone counties are coordinating to help educate and skill up participants through work-based learning opportunities, internships, and on-the-job-training (OJT), as well as educational and training programs.

Eligible participants in the pilot include current SNAP recipient work registrants who are deemed eligible by DCBS. Involvement in the program is voluntary and participants will not lose benefits if they decline to participate in Paths 2 Promise.

Participants will be randomly split into expanded services and general services categories. Once assigned, participants in the expanded group will begin the process of intensive career advising services with a personal career navigator to create a personalized career plan. Then, a team of experts, including a success coach, will help support the participant in meeting their goals outlined in the career plan. For example, enrolling in classes at the local community college to become a certified medical assistant.

On Tuesday, May 30th, KCEOC held its annual Older American’s Month Celebration event at the Stivers Aquatic Center. The celebration hosted 36 seniors who were provided a free guest pass by the Stivers Aquatic Center to access all of the amenities offered by the center. The attendees were also able to attend a strength, and range of motion class.

KCEOC’s Emergency Services Manager, Shawn Bingham, welcomed this year’s attendees by presenting the importance of seniors, and their contributions to our community. Bingham also illustrated how KCEOC and other local community partners are working to address the needs of Knox County seniors.

This year’s guest speakers included Director of the Senior Care Program at Knox County ARH, Brittney Saylor, who provided a presentation about the program they offer. Danielle Barrett from the Knox County Cooperative Extension Services spoke with attendees on Alzheimer’s Awareness and Detective Steve Owens of the Barbourville Police Department spoke about community safety, scams that target seniors, and informed attendees on ways they can protect themselves.

KCEOC would like to thank our guest speakers, as well as other local agencies that set up as vendors and provided free information to this year’s attendees: Professional Home Health, The Knox County Health Department, The Cumberland Valley Area Development District, Grace Community Health Center, Q-Source, Knox Cooperative Extension Service, and the Knox County ARH Senior Care Program.

If you would like more information on the services KCEOC provides the seniors of Knox County please contact Shawn Bingham at (606) 546-3152.

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Paul Dole, KCEOC President/CEO, is the recipient of the 2017 Jesse Amburgey Excellence in Community Action Award presented on Thursday June 15, 2017 in Louisville, KY.

The Jesse Amburgey Excellence in Community Action Award honors efforts and achievements of someone who has worked diligently to reduce or eliminate the causes or conditions of poverty. Annually, the award is given to someone who has excelled in advancing Community Action in Kentucky by their efforts at the local, state, and/or national level. Paul is very deserving of this award because of all the changes, advancements, and vast efforts put into his work for the past 43 years of his career in Community Action at KCEOC Community Action Partnership.

Paul began working at KCEOC after graduating from Union College in 1974, where he was later elected to the College’s Hall of Fame in 2003. He held many positions, and rose through the ranks, starting out as a Special Assistant and finally becoming Executive Director in 1980, the title was changed to President/CEO in 2006. In 2005, Paul was the recipient of the William Hacker Leader of the Year Honor from Leadership Tri-County. In 2009, he was recognized by the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation as the Outstanding Public Individual of the Year. In 2013, Paul received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award for a non-profit.

Paul holds a multitude of honors and certifications, but most importantly he is the Certified Community Action Professional and the Certified Community Action Manager. Paul Dole is in his 37th year as President/CEO of KCEOC and his 43rd year overall serving his community.

Paul Dole has served as Treasurer and President of the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies, 1st Vice President of the National Community Action Partnership, and two terms as National Chair. He is currently serving as the Region IV representative on the National Community Action Partnership Board, and as VP of the state association. Paul serves as a Commissioner on both the Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) and the Award for Excellence Commissions. He has also been a board member of the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation for 25 years.

Through the many positions held on boards and committees, serving through positions at KCEOC, and working with government officials and community members Paul has been a voice for the voiceless. At times when there seemed to be no hope for the future of Community Action, a firm believer in the power of Community Action, Paul worked diligently with other Community Action staffers and supporters to fight for Community Action and the low-income residents of Southeastern KY. Through his excellent leadership and entrepreneurship, KCEOC was the recipient of the 2015 National Award for Excellence.

KCEOC would like to congratulate our President/CEO, Paul Dole, on the well deserved award. KCEOC is as successful as it is because of the amazing leadership, and the dedication the staff have to recognizing human potential, improving communities, and creating opportunities for change.

 

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