REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP #EKUENGAGES IN REFRAMING THE APPALACHIAN STORY
EKU STUDENTS SPOTLIGHT GOOD NEWS THROUGH A PROMISE ZONE PROFILES PROJECT
Curd is the coordinator for the Kentucky Promise Zone, a federal partnership dedicated to improving quality of life in high-poverty, rural areas through job creation, economic development, affordable housing, access to technology, education, employment training, substance abuse counseling and more. The Promise Zone encompasses eight counties in southeastern Kentucky: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Perry and Whitley. “The Kentucky Promise Zone has connected me with all our partners, including Eastern Kentucky University, and, most importantly, the citizens of eight of the most beautiful counties in Kentucky,” Curd said. “My favorite days are when a group of people sit around a table and put an idea into motion. It sets my world on fire.” One of Curd’s most recent collaborations was with EKU public relations students. Last summer, four EKU interns began sharing success stories from the Promise Zone on social media. Jared Barnard, Kelly Arnold, Kamille Johnson and Mikayla Estepp served as consultants for the Promise Zone Profiles project. In this role, they worked with students in the 17 high schools located in the Promise Zone. The interns edited and revised student profile pieces that shared the everyday success stories found throughout the area. The project also benefited the high school students, encouraging engagement in their communities and fostering a sense pride in their heritage. EKU’s Office of Regional Stewardship Director Melissa Newman and Outreach Specialist Maggie
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BIENNIAL REPORT
Bill collaborated with Curd on the plan to spotlight the achievements and successes of people in the Promise Zone, and the EKU public relations student
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The Kentucky Promise Zone has connected me with all our partners, including Eastern Kentucky University, and, most importantly, the citizens of eight of the most beautiful counties in Kentucky. My favorite days are when a group of people sit around a table and put an idea into motion. It sets my world on fire.
SANDI CURD
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Each day, Sandi Curd wakes at 5:09 a.m. and brews a cup of Coal Miner’s Blend coffee, a stout brew from a locally owned company. She then takes her dogs on a walk and plans her day. While she drives to and from her destinations, she sees the everyday lifestyle – good and bad – of people in the community she has sworn to improve.
DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY’S PROMISE ZONE
interns work under the guidance of the Office of Regional Stewardship. Their work is made possible with the help of some grant funding from Brushy Fork Institute, through a larger funding stream from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Periodically, Curd checks Facebook, Twitter and the Promise Zone website to keep tabs on the continuous work being done by the students. However, having access to talented and hardworking EKU interns and the supervision of the Office of Regional Stewardship allows Curd to stay focused on her important work – making southeastern Kentucky better. “I spend 50 percent of my time in the field using my big red pickup truck as my office, meeting individuals or groups about projects or ideas,” she said. “I adore these times because the possibilities dance around the room.” Learn more at kypromisezone.com.