Kentucky for Strong Families

Bye, Felicia.

State Rep. Robert Goforth resigns amid domestic violence charges Kentucky state representative Robert Goforth has resigned.

If you do not receive these funds for each child by August 27, please contact (855) 306-8959.
This is for Summer P-EBT funds, and all school enrolled children should be receiving these funds.

Justice 4 North Fork rally Justice 4 North Fork rallied outside of the April Morehead City Council meeting on Monday.

Neighbors helping neighbors!

Neighbors helping neighbors! In the wake of the recent devastating floods in Southeast Kentucky, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky (FAKY) has created the Southeast Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. This fund will help our region’s most vulnerable neighbors during this critical time of need. The Fund will focus on relief and recovery efforts across Southeast Kentucky. Donations can be made to SEKY Flood Relief at any Community Trust Bank location, mailed directly to the Foundation for Appalachian KY, 420 Main St., Hazard, KY 41701 or online at bit.ly/SEKYFloodRelief Donors may designate a specific county or purpose if desired.

We're excited to announce that we're bringing back our Black Lung Kills T-Shirt campaign for a limited time! Make a donation of $25 or more and we'll send you a Black Lung Kills t-shirt as a gift.* The shirt is modeled below by Linda Jean Stokley of The Local Honeys. Donate here & get your shirt: https://tinyurl.com/blacklungkills

We also hope you'll check out the Local Honeys' latest release of two coal mining songs, "Octavia Triangle" and "Dying to Make a Living." Both songs tell stories of coal miners that shine a light on miners' health & safety. We're honored that our Black Lung Kills t-shirt made it into the band's album cover photo for this release.

*Until supplies last or until March 31st, whichever comes first. Sizes XS - # # except no size Large t-shirts are available. Photo: © Melissa Stillwell Photography

Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF) FAQ.pdf

Sign up for this wonderful forum being hosted on the 25th by our local NAACP!

Want to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines? Not sure what is true and what is a myth? Should you get it when you can? Our local NAACP is sponsoring an online forum on February 25 to answer some of the questions.

Register here!: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcehbove3tM14bQ

Looking for a movie to watch tonight? Try American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free.
This offering from PBS is the inspiring story of six trailblazing Black women entertainers. You can watch it for a limited time on PBS for free, if not tonight make sure to watch it soon, it is only available until February 16th!!

American Masters | American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free | Season 35 The inspiring story of six trailblazing Black women entertainers.

Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” is credited with developing Black History Month. Woodson, whose parents were enslaved, was an author, historian and the second African American to earn a PhD at Harvard University. He was also a graduate of Berea College right here in Kentucky! Below is a link to the Carter G. Woodson Center at Berea College - take a moment to learn more about all the great work they continue to do both on campus and beyond.
Also, here is a link to an article in USA Today that delves deeper into the founding of Black History Month. http://ow.ly/MRVH50Do7Vg

About Carter G. Woodson Center - Carter G. Woodson Center About Carter G. Woodson Center Black Lives Matter Berea College stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and those peacefully demonstrating against police brutality across the country and around the world. As the first in*******al and coeducational college in the slaveholding South....

Did you know Muhammad Ali was the inspiration for multiple songs? Here is a collection of 19 of them including Johnny Cash singing Truth. The words to the song were the same as the poem, of the same name, that Mr. Ali had given Mr. Cash.

Muhammad Ali: Songs Written About the Boxer Ali was a popular topic for songwriters from virtually every genre of music

For those looking to learn more about Muhammad Ali and his extraordinary life we wanted to share that you can stream the academy award winning film When We Were Kings on HULU right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBauogNmRqY

WHEN WE WERE KINGS TRAILER 1996 NEVER FORGET FILM SERIES

Earlier today we shared a link to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville KY. We wanted to share an additional resource today that delves into a part of his identity that many shy away from.
A People’s History of Muslims in the United States: What Textbooks and the Media Miss
Muhammad Ali was Muslim and fought for a better world for us all.

A People’s History of Muslims in the United States: What Textbooks and the Media Miss - Zinn Education Project By Alison Kysia When I teach history related to Islam or Muslims in the United States, I begin by asking students what names they associate with these terms. The list is consistent year after year: Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Muhammad Ali. All of these individuals have affected U.S. history in s...

Black history has not stopped.
We are determined to support the organizing of Black leaders who have worked in their communities for decades. We are determined to educate and organize white people for racial justice. We are committed to building the multi-racial coalitions that have always been the South's only hope.

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it." — Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali – Muhammad Ali Center | Be Great :: Do Great Things Over fifty years after he burst upon the scene as a gold-medal winner at the 1960 Olympics, in Rome, Muhammad Ali remains a magical figure, known and loved throughout the world.

This week we have been lifting up and introducing all y'all to the staff and board of Kentucky for Strong Families!
At KSF we know that family is felt and chosen in the heart. Family is too precious and important to only be defined by genetics. When we say family we mean everyone: single parent homes, friends that are there for each other, grandparents, guardians, every one!
At KSF, KENTUCKY is our family.
Please take a moment and introduce yourself and share with us the Kentucky that will be best for your family in the comments below.
Also, please take a moment to donate and sign up to volunteer with us. You can do either or both by clicking on the following link.
http://ow.ly/s3dF50DjUr3

Meet our Staff and Board Week!

Today we would like to introduce you to Michael Harrington. Michael is one of the founding board members of Kentucky for Strong Families. Michael is from the East Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. He moved to a small town in KY 14 years ago and is proud to still call that town home. Michael knows what it is to struggle to find work and having to take jobs that paid less than what could support his family. He now organizes in his community and is passionate about fighting alongside working and unemployed folks in Kentucky. He strives alongside others to build workers’ power though racial justice and an economy that works for everyone.
In his spare time he likes to go to the library

We invite you to ask her questions in the comments!

Meet our Staff and Board Week!

Today we would like to introduce you to Sasha Blankenship. Sasha is the lead organizer of Kentucky for Strong Families. Growing up in Rockcastle County Sasha learned the value of community and working together to get things done. She first started organizing professionally in 2014 and has a deep passion for servant leadership. When she isn't cooking or working on a mixed media sculpture she spends her time with her wife, 7 children, and their cats in Berea.

We invite you to ask her questions in the comments!

Meet our Staff and Board Week!

Today we would like to introduce you to Alondra Barrera García (she/her/ella). Alondra is the Madison County Organizer of Kentucky for Strong Families. She is a first-generation graduate from Berea College. Alondra is a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and brings her own lived experience to her role. She loves to binge-watch period dramas and cook her Abuela's dishes. Alondra lives in Lexington with her husband Adam and their cat, June.

We invite you to ask her questions in the comments!

Meet our Staff and Board Week!

Today we would like to introduce you to Wil Bayne (they/them). Wil is one of our founding board members at Kentucky for Strong Families.

Wil graduated from Berea College in 2013 and has spent the last 12 years calling the community of Berea home. While always looking for ways to pitch in on important work, it wasn't until they made a trip to Frankfort in March of 2018 to lobby their state representative that they realized just how much strong new leadership was, and is, needed. Since then Wil has worked hard to ignite the charge of their fellow Kentuckians to make this the absolute best place to call home. Wil enjoys binge watching any tv shows that involve magic, monsters, and superpowers and loves cooking (read: eating) at home with their roommate Sam. Wil is also mother to multiple plants at home despite not having an inkling of a green thumb.

We invite you to ask them questions in the comments!

The pandemic hasn't stopped landlords from evicting people, including illegally. So the weather won't stop us from helping them.

With Madison County Tenants Union.

Meet our Staff and Board Week!

Today we would like to introduce you to Rebecca Blankenship. Rebecca is the executive director of Kentucky for Strong Families. A longtime activist and former public servant, she works inside and outside the usual politics to bring positive change for everybody. She is the proud stepmother of seven children and two cats and lives with her wife in Berea.

We invite you to ask her questions in the comments!

We went out yesterday with Madison County Tenants Union and referred two families to AppalReD Legal Aid. The President has banned nonpayment evictions, but landlords are still pursuing them.

We are fighting every day for conditions where families can thrive.