Success StoryLeadership Class 2017



Leadership Class 2017

Author: Christy Ramey

Planning Unit: Simpson County CES

Major Program: Community Leadership Development

Plan of Work: Empowering Community Leaders

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Leadership Franklin-Simpson Class of 2017 began like all other leadership classes.  Sponsored and by the Chamber of Commerce and UK cooperative Extension Service, the class consisted of thirteen individuals from different businesses and backgrounds in Simpson County.  The class met for nine months and we covered topics from government, business, and education to agriculture, health care and team building.  This year the class requested that a new day of leadership be added to the curriculum-Non-Profit Day.  This day was directed by this Family and Consumer Sciences agent and covered topics from 4-H and Downtown Renaissance to churches and the African-American Heritage Center. They were also exposed to the SNAP-ed program, the People Serving People program and our Room in the Inn program. All these aforementioned programs use a facility in our community call the Willis House.  After a tour of this facility, the group decided to make need renovations on this house as their class project so it could be of better use to the Boy's and Girl's Club (owners of the building) and the entire community.  With the blessing of the Boy's and Girl's Club Board of directors, fund raising efforts began.  Each class member contacted donors and a total of over $20,000 was raised to complete the needed renovations on the house.  After six months the house was almost completely renovated with a new kitchen, storage area, classrooms, windows, refinished floors and event a new roof.  Hundreds of hours of volunteer service were necessary to complete the project and they finished it with money remaining to help maintain a pest free environment for those who teach food preparation, reach the homeless and feed the hungry each week from this location.  It was a true test of their leadership skills and the results will benefit the community for years to come.






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