Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Students are working in the community to make a difference in the lives of those who lost so much during the unexpected and unprecedented flooding in our area. During the last week of July 2022 several counties in eastern Kentucky experienced severe and deadly flooding. Many families lost all of their belongings and some even lost their life. Perkins students stepped up to the call of duty when asked to come out and assist during flood relief efforts. The hardest hit communities are in Floyd, Knott, Breathitt, Perry, Harlan and Jackson counties. These hard-working students have been assisting numerous organizations that include:  Allen Volunteer Fire Department, Community Action Program (CAP), Floyd County Animal Shelter, Floyd County Community Center, First Methodist Church of Paintsville and Knott County Sportsplex. Students filled buckets with cleaning supplies, unloaded semi-trucks filled with donations, helped remove debris, assisted with parking and various other duties as needed. Perkins students selflessly worked in the rain and extreme high temperatures while keeping a positive attitude.

While working in the community students were honored to meet local, state and federal officials. Perkins students met Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton, Floyd County Judge Executive Robbie Williams, Kentucky State Representative Ashley Tackett Lafferty, former State Representative Rocky Adkins and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Students worked alongside volunteers from FEMA and Disaster Recovery Baptists on a Mission. During an interview on local news station, WYMT Governor Andy Beshear said, “Job Corps is here, thank you.” We are proud of our students and proud of their representation of Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center. Their work ethic, communications and team work were noticed by all. The following students assisted with flood relief efforts:  James Allen, Dalton Zornes, Kiera Jones McCracken, Ryan Wolfe, Jonathan Couch, Angel Viera, Kaiden Shaw, Jacob Mooney, Rebbeca Gonzalez, Matthew Petit, Hector Cecerer, Quasonn Jean Baptiste, Caitlin Wells, Kaleb Goldbach Azizyans, Timothy Jesse, Floyd Maynard, Sarah Roberts, Itzel Berris, Makaylia Hamilton, Ronald Auna, Jake Caines Florez, Blake McKenzie, Stephen Corder, Dalton Medley, Carl Marshall, Jamie Jones, Omeri Smoot, Dakota Schumacher, Mackenzie Hamilton, Melanie Wagers, Nzuri Muhorakeye and Elie Mugabe. Several of these students even volunteered to help at more than one location. Thank you, Perkins students, for giving back to the community and working so hard to help others.