APPALSHOP
LKLP cannot take credit for Appalshop, but did have some involvement and is proud of the nationwide recognition it has received and of its accomplishments.
Bill Richardson, the founder, first came to the LKLP area as a Yale architect student to assist in housing. He liked the area and came back after graduation and applied to OEO for an $80,000 grant to begin the Appalachian Film Workshop. Before the grant could be approved, LKLP had to approve the funds coming into the area.
The original purpose of Appalshop was to train Appalachian for television and movie careers in major U.S. cities. The original purpose has really broadened over the years.
Appalshop is now Appalshop Films, Headwaters Television, Appalachian Media Institute, Education Services, June Apple Recordings, Roadside Theater, WMMT-FM Radio, Appalshop Center Programs and American Festival Project.
BOONE FORK KITCHEN
The Boone Fork Kitchen was a nutrition program funded by the Emergency Food Division of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).
The purpose of this program was to prepare and deliver hot meals each day to the disabled elderly in the seven communities of the Boone Fork Area. These communities included Seco, Whitaker, Fleming-Neon, Hemphill, Haymond and McRoberts in Letcher County.
Boone Fork Kitchen served, during its most productive time, an average of 162 dinner (noon) meals, as well as supper (evening meal), weekend and holiday meals.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION DEPOT (CID)
The CID was a major program in the early LKLP days. It was funded by OEO to establish a community worker to be placed in a community to provide guidance, information and referral to individuals and families who needed assistance. LKLP had some programs to meet some needs, but the problems were much broader than LKLP could fulfill.
A good CID or Outreach worker would acquaint themselves with not only what was available through LKLP but all other agencies, churches or groups that could provide services. The Outreach worker would many times lead a client through the maze of services until the client learned the process and could access services on their own.
COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
The Community Enrichment Program was a summer program delegated to Alice Lloyd College. The program provided for four centers in each of the four counties to provide recreation and field trip opportunities for children in the 6 - 16 age group. Community development efforts were to be a part of the program also. This program created a coordinated effort with LKLP and the community and Alice Lloyd College.
EASTERN KENTUCKY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
The Eastern Kentucky Housing Development Corporation (EKHDC) was the first rural housing demonstration project ever funded by OEO. The purpose was to plan and develop low-cost housing in the LKLP area. Also, delegated under EKHDC was the "Older Persons Home Repair Program".
The program was assisted by the Graduate School of Architecture of Yale University. The "Pole House" in Hindman and the Hillside Dormitory building are examples of the work of the Yale students. They were attempting to design housing that would blend with the hillside.
EKHDC developed into a factory that built modular, low-cost housing at Goose Creek, near Neon, Kentucky.
Congressmen Carl D. Perkins was instrumental in obtaining the cooperation necessary to make this program work. It was important for federal, state and local agencies to cooperate for this program to function.
Ed Stafford, former LKLP Executive Director, was the first director of EKHDC with Pat Gish, the Assistant Director, taking over after a few months developing the program into an innovative approach to housing in Appalachia. Over three hundred (300) new homes were built and many repaired.
EKHDC was eventually able to spin-off with a separate Board of Directors.
Eastern Kentucky Housing Development Corporation Staff
Edwin J. Stafford, Director
Pat Gish, Assistant Director
Pat Gish, Director
Edwin J. Stafford resigned as LKLP Executive Director in 1968 and assumed the position of director of the housing program for a few months before Pat Gish took over. EKHDC eventually established a separate board and was able to spin off from the LKLP Action Council.
EMERGENCY FOOD & MEDICAL SERVICES PROGRAM
The purpose of this program was to eliminate hunger and food-related health problems in the LKLP area. Malnutrition, hunger and/or near starvation were frequently observed conditions as community workers visited throughout the four counties.
The Emergency Food and Medical Services worked cooperatively with all related agencies in a continual effort to assist families or individuals with food-related problems.
In 1969, as an example, the Emergency Food and Medical Services Program assisted 45,800 persons in the four county area.
The approved grant for Fiscal Year 1971 was $108,000 plus $45,000 projected for a cannery.