INCOME IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY PEOPLE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SKILLS TO MAINTAIN A LIVING WAGE EMPLOYMENT. Priority Focus Area: Individuals have the training and skills needed to obtain and maintain family-sustaining employment. Strategies: 1. Increase/create employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records and/or individuals with substance abuse disorder through training/reengagement in education. 2. Provide support and education on training/post-secondary programs for individuals 18 and older that have or have not graduated high school but have not moved on to post-secondary programs and/or do not have sustaining employment. 3. Increase knowledge of, and/or access to training and education opportunities (i.e., credential training, soft skills development, paid work experience, etc.) for individuals that are under-employed or unemployed to access employment matching their skill set. People in Southern Kentucky expressed that skill development, sustainable employment, and job availability are among the most important issues to be addressed in the community: SURVEY RESULTS: #7: The community retains and attracts businesses that provide good jobs. #9: People have the opportunities and skills to maintain meaningful living-wage employment. COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: “We need more people who are workforce ready.” “I want a productive community where people have jobs and are able to provide for their families.” ” It’s surprising how many employee candidates in Southern Kentucky lack the basic skills of how to get a job… resumes, how to dress, and interview skills.” ” It was easier to manipulate the system to get what I wanted when I was using drugs and not trying to create a better life for myself… it makes it hard not to want to go back to that world.” SECONDARY RESEARCH: Families with children under five living below poverty ranged from as low as 18% in Edmonson County to a high of 35% in Allen and Hart Counties. - U.S. Census Bureau, Selected Economic Characteristics, 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates * 4 of the 10 counties in the BRADD region exceed the state's average for unemployment. - Kentucky Labor Market Information, 2012-13 Kentucky Labor Force Estimates WHY IT MATTERS: Research tells us that the ability to earn a living wage that is capable of providing for a family is based on many factors including educational achievement, skill set, work experience, and the availability of appropriate jobs. When families achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, they are more likely to have access to a broader range of educational, economic, and health-related opportunities. Conversely, those who are unemployed or underemployed are most likely to find themselves living in poverty with issues related to Education, Health, and Safety Net. Click here to read more. NEWS & EVENTS NEARLY 60 VOLUNTEER PROJECTS COMPLETED ON UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY’S THIRTEENTH ANNUAL DAY OF CARING July 28, 2021 (July 28, 2021) – Wednesday, July 28, 2021, marked United Way of Southern Kentucky’s thirteenth annual Day of Caring. This event allowed for more than 57 nonprofit projects to be completed in seven counties throughout the Southern Kentucky area. Hundreds of volunteers from dozens of companies lent a hand in this collective effort … Read More » UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN KENTUCKY ANNOUNCES MELINDA M. HILL AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT July 12, 2021 United Way of Southern Kentucky announces Ms. Melinda Hill as the new Director of Community Impact. Ms. Hill brings with her over 30 years of experience in designing and implementing programs for Fortune 500 companies, a major local bank, and governmental agencies. Much of her experience lies in providing leadership and accomplishing the goals of … Read More » MORE NEWS OUR MISSION To be the leader in bringing together the resources to build a stronger, more caring community. OUR LOCATION United Way of Southern Kentucky 1110 College Street Bowling Green, KY 42101 STAY INFORMED Keep me in the loop! Click to email. SOCIAL MEDIA On Twitter On Facebook On Instagram On LinkedIn LIVE UNITED Give Advocate Volunteer © Copyright 2019 United Way of Southern Kentucky | Site development and hosting by ZebraGraphics.