Veterans Day happens once a year, but all year round, Kentuckians provide care for the veterans they love. According to data from AARP, they spend on average more than $11,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving.

In a region with a high number of military families, said Gary Adkins, AARP Kentucky volunteer state president, the stresses of veteran caregiving affect entire communities.

"It's a terrible situation," he said. "Kentuckians caring for veterans shouldn't have to worry about finances on top of their caregiving responsibilities. But many do."

Research shows 43% of veteran and military caregivers experienced at least one financial setback, such as having to take on more debt or dip into personal savings. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Caregiver Support Program offers financial-aid, mental-health and respite-care services, but only 34% of Kentucky's more than 233,000 veterans have used these benefits at their local VA center, according to census data.

Nationwide, millions of veteran and military caregivers provide the equivalent of $14 billion in unpaid labor. Adkins said veterans and their families deserve better.

"Our veterans have fought for our families, for our country, and a world where our kids can grow up and inherit a future," he said. "Unfortunately, a lot of times, our veterans are left hanging."

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation has developed an online guide for veterans and their caregivers to help prioritize mental and emotional health. Tips include talking and processing feelings with a friend, counselor or therapist, engaging in positive activities, setting boundaries, and recognizing warning signs such as changes in alcohol consumption or persistent feelings of hopelessness.

AARP also has a Family Caregiving hotline, open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, at 877-333-5885, and online through the AARP Facebook Family Caregivers Discussion Group.

A $20,000 grant from AARP Kentucky will help rebuild sidewalks in Jenkins damaged by the deadly 2022 flood that took the lives of 45 residents.

Rachel Rosolina, communications director for the nonprofit Appalshop, explained because its headquarters were severely damaged by the flooding, staff has temporarily moved to neighboring Jenkins, where the grant will help improve walkability.

She noted the new walking trail and benches will begin at a local senior center and extend about a mile into downtown.

"Twenty-four percent of the county is over the age of 59 and the poverty rate is also like over 38%," Rosolina pointed out. "We want to be part of this community for as long as they will have us, but we also want to work with the city and use our resources to make improvements and make things safer."

Other 2024 Community Challenge grants awardees include Hotel Inc., a Bowling Green organization providing training on home safety and aging in place for older adults; and Casey County Public Library, to build a series of public displays and activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren.

Tiffany Sturdivant, interim executive director of Appalshop, said while the flood was devastating, it brought out the best in a close-knit community.

"Speaking as someone who was present during the recovery, it was a special time where Eastern Kentucky really shined," Sturdivant recounted. "I feel like it shined its brightest because it brought out that deep-rooted togetherness and everybody was just pitching in."

Rosolina added the mural, designed by local artist Lacy Hale, will highlight residents' perseverance.

"Art is one way to process trauma and I think the flood is going to be part of all of these communities for the rest of time," Rosolina observed. "It's part of the history now. So having something beautiful come out of that, I think, is really important."

She added the art display will be formally presented to the public during the Jenkins Homecoming Days Festival at the end of August.


get more stories like this via email

A series of free summer camps focused on STEM and other career paths seeks to boost the career goals of youth in the agricultural community of Immokalee.

Florida Gulf Coast University has teamed up with the Immokalee Foundation to offer a series of free educational camps for underserved youth in the region. The initiative includes a STEM camp for middle schoolers and four high school camps focused on business management and entrepreneurship, education and human services, engineering and construction management, and health care.

Noemi Perez, CEO of the Immokalee Foundation, explained the value of the program.

"When you take a community and individuals who are just surviving and giving their students, their children this type of opportunity, it just, it creates such a huge impact," Perez stressed. "Not only for the family, but also for the community as a whole."

In its final week, students pitch their ideas to judges, like on the popular show "Shark Tank." The competitive program serves about 1,300 Immokalee students per year. Perez said 100% of participants graduate from high school and attend a postsecondary institution.

Heather Skoza-Acosta, director of the Whitaker Center for STEM Education at Florida Gulf Coast University, oversees the middle school STEM camp. She emphasized the importance of early exposure to science.

"They have four separate STEM disciplines on four different weeks," Skoza-Acosta pointed out. "I think it gives them an opportunity to find their passion, find their skill sets, meet some professionals working in the field. "

During Forensics Week, Florida Gulf Coast University's forensics anthropology team guided students through analyzing crime scenes. During Environmental Science Week, students examined water quality on campus.

Organizers said the initiative is part of a broader effort by both the university and the foundation to support educational equity and create pathways to success for underserved communities.

Community action agencies in Utah and across the nation are celebrating 60 years of battling poverty and empowering communities, which started with the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

Jennifer Godfrey, CEO of Utah Community Action, said there are a total of nine community action agencies in the Beehive State, with each one aiming to help Utahns in their own unique way. She added all nine organizations have the ability to provide services that can change people's lives.

"Not only is it incredibly humbling to be a part of that work, but it is also such an honor to be working with these individuals who are experiencing poverty," Godfrey noted. "Because everybody deserves a second chance from time to time."

Godfrey pointed out people who experience poverty are not a monolith, because poverty is a complex issue and there is not a single reason behind it for many people. In Utah, Native Americans experience the highest rate of poverty at just above 27%.

Utah has been a leader when it relates to volunteerism, and Godfrey encourages Utahns to continue strengthening its standing year-round by contacting their local action agency to help.

Utah's poverty rate is just below 9%, which sits below the national average of around 12%.

Godfrey stressed new challenges like increasing food, medical and housing costs are taking a toll on Utah residents. She added most people don't realize how many Utahns are actually living on the edge.

"In some instances, many instances in fact, the vast majority of individuals are one paycheck away from having a crisis," Godfrey asserted.

Regardless of the situation, Godfrey emphasized her organization is there to help, as action agencies are designed to be nimble to the needs of their respective communities.