Kentucky has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. Breaking down the statistic, one in ten Kentucky kids have dealt with a parent behind bars. The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office partnered with the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation (WJRF), and Franklin County Schools High School K.R.U.S.H. (Kids Rising Up through Support and Healing) Group to host a thanksgiving meal on the day before Thanksgiving.

High Schoolers from Western Hills, Franklin County, and Frankfort Independent Schools met at the Franklin County Extension Office for a day of cooking, fellowship, and basic life skills. Extension staff and volunteers guided 15 teens through five different Plate It Up! recipes to create a Thanksgiving meal.

While the meal was cooking, youth wrote letters to someone they were thankful for, and learned how to properly set a table for a formal dinner. This group of young individuals have an incarcerated family member and are not able to the holidays with them. The goal of K.R.U.S.H. is to provide support for students through small group settings, lessons on dealing with emotions, and the building of skills to thrive in society. 

As the meal commenced, adults, and caretakers of the teens joined in to celebrate Thanksgiving as a group. Board members of WJRF, extension staff, and members of Frankfort Police were all present for the meal.