This week was full of good news and happy stories. So take a peak below and read about what happened this week in Appalachia Kentucky!
ARC’s Robinson a Beacon of Hope
Tim Robinson bravely embarked on a journey of recovery years ago. Following that, he stepped out on faith to pay it forward. That bold move has impacted thousands of lives while creating a recovery model that is being recognized across the globe.
His devotion to recovery as Founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) was recognized as he was presented with the 2022 Congressman Hal Rogers Beacon of Hope Award at the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit (Rx Summit) in Atlanta.
The award is named for Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05), who founded Operation UNITE in 2003. Under Cong. Rogers’ leadership, Operation UNITE launched the Rx Summit in 2012. Today, the Rx Summit is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers, and allied communities impacted by prescription drug abuse and heroin use. The Beacon of Hope Award is awarded annually at the Rx Summit to a changemaker working to address the addiction crisis and inspiring others to do the same.
Robinson founded ARC in 2010 and opened Karen’s Place, a residential treatment center for women, in Louisa, Kentucky. ARC now operates more than 30 programs in 21 Kentucky counties, serving hundreds of people on a daily basis, and continues to grow throughout Appalachia. ARC’s nationally recognized Crisis to Career model combines treatment with job training to prepare clients for life after ARC and set them up for success.
“It is a tremendous honor and privilege to receive the 2022 Congressman Hal Rogers Beacon of Hope Award,” said Robinson. “Since founding ARC and opening the doors to our first treatment center 12 years ago, I have made it my personal mission to serve and support those in our communities who have been impacted by addiction. I am thankful to Congressman Hal Rogers, Operation UNITE, the Rx Summit, and the countless other leaders who have inspired our movement and helped to pave the way.”
Robinson graduated from Cumberland College with a BS in Political Science and the University of Kentucky College of Law with a Juris Doctorate. A former prosecutor, Robinson celebrated 15 years of recovery in December 2021. He lives in Louisa with his wife Leila and their four children.
Eastern Kentucky’s Young Entrepreneurs
The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs has accepted their largest selection of high school entrepreneurs to date.
And it has a record number of participants from Eastern Kentucky — 29 to be exact! That’s more Eastern Kentucky students accepted than ever before!
The goal of the GSE program is to enable high school students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs. Throughout the program, students will meet some of Kentucky’s most successful entrepreneurs and learn how they continue to grow their businesses, learn what tools and skills it takes to create their own business, and work with their fellow GSE students to develop a business plan and a product. At the end of the program, students will compete in a pitch competition to showcase their product.
SOAR would like to congratulate all the Eastern Kentucky students who were selected for the program. Go and make Eastern Kentucky proud!
CEDAR Regional Challenge
Morehead State’s Craft Academy won first in the ECLRP Program!
The Entrepreneurial Coal Lands Redevelopment Program was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop previously mined sites or coal camp communities. The students select a site then come up with a new use and business model for the site. Their business must provide employment to those in the area as well as add value to the quality of life for the residents of that community. Students participate in three workshops before showcasing their site profile and business plan. The first place team receives a prize of $1,000 per person (for up to five team members).
SOAR would like to congratulate everyone who participated in the ECLRP Program and to continue to encourage our youth to dream big!
Tri County Pet Resort
In Laurel County, Tri County Pet Resort recently held its ribbon cutting and grand opening. The owners of the business, the Cooney family, have found a way to package and share their passion for animals in a much needed way: by providing boarding and respite care for your beloved family pet. Pleasant and serene music and lower volume classical music is played at night to alleviate the stress of new surroundings that your pet may experience.
The venture had been five years in the making. The Cooney family recently purchased the perfect building to suit their facility’s needs. Remodeling is still a work in progress, but the facility has a wonderful clean and pleasant atmosphere. Future plans include grooming stations, murals and caricatures on both the interior and exterior of the building, dog shows, and event engagement with local youth.
Perhaps the most valuable service the Cooney family provides is the genuine love and playful interaction that pets receive when they spend a night (or day) at Tri County Pet Resort.