Kentucky Project Uplift completed a five-year cycle in the summer of 2024. The project was funded by USDA NIFA to target youth from vulnerable populations who could benefit from developing critical life skills. With nearly 500 youth indicating an increase in positive life skill experiences last year, the program certainly generated interest across the state.

As a result, a new round of funding was secured to build partnerships with collaborators in Lexington, Somerset and the Louisville area to offer programming for young males in need of life skill development. The partnerships were successfully established within the last few months and the team (including both UK and KSU Extension professionals) is now making plans for implementation. One UK Extension specialist (Jones) will serve as the evaluator of the project and plans to document intermediate outcomes during the 2025-26 fiscal year and will track for long-term outcomes and impact reporting over the next few years.

The target audience includes male youth, primarily in the  age range of  11-14.