AmeriCorps

AmericorpsUNITE employs 25 AmeriCorps members to teach the “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum, tutor students in mathematics, and help establish and coordinate anti-drug UNITE Clubs during the 2010-11 school year as part of the UNITE Service Corps initiative.

County Member School
Floyd Pamela Johnson Osborne Elementary
Floyd Ashley Ousley Prestonsburg Elementary
Harlan Emily Leoblein Black Mountain Elementary
Harlan Meghan Miniard Cawood Elementary
Harlan Cindy Gaw Rosspoint Elementary
Harlan Sara Mika Nolan Wallins Elementary
Johnson Kelli Vanhoose Central Elementary
Johnson Lura Cantrell Paintsville Elementary
Johnson Ashley Conley Porter Elementary
Johnson Tiffany Doderer W.R. Castle Elementary
Knott Chanda Amburgey Carr Creek Elementary
Knott Heather Grigsby Emmalena Elementary
Leslie Kristy Farley Hayes-Lewis Elementary
Leslie Heather Wells W.B. Muncy Elementary
Magoffin Sebrina Long Salyersville Elementary
Perry Laurne B. Miller A.B. Combs Elementary
Perry Linda E. Dean R.W. Combs Elementary
Pike Christina Bogar Johns Creek Elementary
Pike Autumn Ward Millard Elementary
Pike Crystal Hunt Mullins Elementary
Pike Autumn Harris Phelps Elementary
Pike Amber Hillerman Runyon Elementary
Pike Sendy Newsome Robinson Creek Elementary
Wolfe Billy Jo Damron Campton Elementary
Wolfe Tracy Creech Red River Elementary

This is the third year in a row the program has expanded to meet the classroom needs of schools in the eastern portion of the Fifth District.

During the 2008-09 school year UNITE employed 10 AmeriCorps members at schools in six counties through a three-year grant awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. An additional five members were added in the 2009-10 school year with funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In the spring of 2010 UNITE received word it would receive a $325,000 grant from the Corporation to add the extra members.

Each participating school contributes $5,500 toward the salary of the AmeriCorps member.

2009-10 school year

UNITE’s Service Corps initiative was implemented at 16 schools in eight Eastern Kentucky counties during the 2009-10 term – Campton Elementary (Wolfe), Carr Creek Elementary (Knott), Cawood Elementary (Harlan), Central Elementary (Johnson), Hayes-Lewis Elementary (Leslie), J.M. Stumbo Elementary (Floyd), Johns Creek Elementary (Pike), Mullins Elementary (Pike), Paintsville Elementary (Johnson), Phelps Elementary (Pike), Prestonsburg Elementary (Floyd), Rosspoint Elementary (Harlan), Salyersville Elementary (Magoffin), W.B. Muncy Elementary (Leslie) and Wallins Elementary (Harlan).

During the 2009-10 school year UNITE Service Corps members:

  • Taught the “Too Good For Drugs” curriculum to 1,187 students. Pre- and post-testing of these students showed a 30.73 percent growth in knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on body systems.
  • Tutored 984 students in math. Pre- and post-testing of these students showed a 35.37 percent growth in mathematics concepts.
  • Formed or assisted 15 UNITE Clubs.
  • Mentored 760 students.
  • Enlisted the assistance of 290 volunteers who provided 564 service hours to their schools.
  • Conducted 50 speaking engagements to organizations recruiting volunteers for UNITE Club activities.
  • Five members assisted in disaster relief efforts.