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UNITE Activities
Using an $11,000 grant from KY-ASAP, UNITE took 25 high school students from Clay and Jackson counties to Crossings Ministries' Jonathan Creek on Kentucky Lake from July 15-19, 2009.
Photos will be posted soon
To view a YouTube video click here.
There were 101 participants in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp held at Clay County Middle School on June 25, 2009. These youth represented Clay, Leslie, Perry and Whitley counties in Kentucky plus the state of Florida. Winners of portable basketball goals were 7-year-old Hunter Rice of Manchester and 8-year-old Cassidy Cupp of Sheppardtown.
To view photos click here.
Two Clay County schools have a registered UNITE Club in the 2009-10 school year – Burning Springs Elementary and Paces Creek Elementary.
UNITE has entered the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Faith-Based and Community Initiatives "Portraits of Compassion" video story contest for 2008 featuring Clay and McCreary counties.
To view video entry click here.
The Sentinel Group from Seattle, Washington, recently produced a new DVD entitled "The Approaching Fire." It names 50 places in the world that are experiencing Biblical Transformation. Manchester, Kentucky, is the only American city included.
The "Stay Sharp" program, a ministery of Teen Challenge USA, is available for schools and church youth groups. Stay Sharp is designed to educate, encourage and empower at-risk youth. To schedule a presentation contact Doug Abner at 606-598-8871 or communitychurch@windstream.net.
"Drug Town Miracle has World-Wide Effect" - Learn about a CBN broadcast on the transformation of Clay County from a Kentucky drug town to the "City of Hope." Click here.
Court Watch is very active. A software program developed by John Becknell is now ready and serves as a model for other coalitions. John is available for trainings.
Neighbors UNITED is working on a community beautification project specifically aimed at assisting the elderly and those who are not able to do the work themselves.
Lifeline continues to be a primary focus of coalition efforts, with special emphasis on family support. A variety of Lifeline programs are offered, including: weekly Drug and Alcohol Recovery adult and teen programs in Manchester and Horse Creek, and Concerned Persons groups in Manchester and Island Creek.
The coalition utilizes the Community Church's new local television station, LLB Creations, to keep the community informed about upcoming activities.
Friday, January 29 - A presentation on methamphetamine labs, current drug trends and signs of drug use will be presented to staff members at the Federal Correctional Institute-Manchester at noon. For information contact Jennifer Morris at 606-599-4158 or jmorris@bop.gov.
Friday, February 5 - A presentation on methamphetamine labs, current drug trends and signs of drug use will be presented to staff members at the Federal Correctional Institute-Manchester at noon. For information contact Jennifer Morris at 606-599-4158 or jmorris@bop.gov.
Friday, February 12 - A presentation on methamphetamine labs, current drug trends and signs of drug use will be presented to staff members at the Federal Correctional Institute-Manchester at noon. For information contact Jennifer Morris at 606-599-4158 or jmorris@bop.gov.
Friday, February 26 - A presentation on methamphetamine labs, current drug trends and signs of drug use will be presented to staff members at the Federal Correctional Institute-Manchester at noon. For information contact Jennifer Morris at 606-599-4158 or jmorris@bop.gov.
Tuesday, March 23 - Third of six regional UNITE Coalition training sessions for anyone interested in making a difference within their community, 9 a.m. at the Community Church of Manchester, 110 Clay County Shopping Center in Manchester. For details contact your county's coalition coordinator, call 1-866-678-6483, or e-mail to bcalhoun@centertech.com.
Ongoing - Clay Countians UNITED gathers for a county-wide prayer meeting at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday at the Community Church of Manchester.
Recent Activities
Thursday, October 29 - Residents from the Chad's Hope Teen Challenge in Clay County spoke to fourth and fifth grade students at Sand Gap Elementary as part of Red Ribbon Week.
To read story click here.
Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 - Clay County "Transformation Celebration" of the 5-year anniversary of the "March Against Drugs" - called "the march seen around the world by CBN - was held at the new Community Church in the Manchester Shopping Center. For information call 606-598-8871.
For event details click here.
Thursday, June 25 - There were 101 participants in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camp held at Clay County Middle School on June 25. These youth represented Clay, Leslie, Perry and Whitley counties in Kentucky plus the state of Florida. Winners of portable basketball goals were 7-year-old Hunter Rice of Manchester and 8-year-old Cassidy Cupp of Sheppardtown. This was the fourth of five free regional UNITE Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps with Jeff Sheppard.
To view photos click here.
2008 Activities
Saturday, October 4 - UNITE Bowl football games featuring youth in grades 5-8 from across Eastern Kentucky, including Clay County were held at the Leslie County High School Eagle Field. For complete schedule and more information about the event click here.
Friday, September 26 - A regional golf scramble to benefit Lifeline of Eastern Kentucky was held at Wasioto Winds Golf Course in Bell County. For details contact Irene Lewis at 606-862-9630 or 606-312-1612.
Monday, September 22 - Focus on the Family conducted a Community Champions team training for residents of Clay County, Harlan County (Benham, Cumberland and Lynch), and Leslie County at the Leslie County Cooperative Extension Office in Hyden. For information contact Teresa Dixon at 606-672-2901x2307 UNITE at 1-866-OP-UNITE (1-866-678-6483).
Thursday, August 7 - A video conference Town Hall meeting to discuss UNITE's partnership with Focus On The Family was held at the Eastern Kentucky University branch in Manchester. All Clay County citizens were invited to participate in this "call to action" and learn how together we can work together to positively impact families. For details call 606-677-6179.
Monday, June 23 - A presentation on Operation UNITE was given at the Community Relations Board Meeting to be held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Manchester. For details contact Blanca Vega Hammond at 606-599-4104x5101 or bvhammond@bop.gov.
Monday, May 19 - The Clay-Leslie-Jackson Drug Court held a graduation ceremony at the Clay County Justice Center in Manchester.
Thursday, April 17 - A methamphetamine awareness conference was conducted in the new Manchester City Hall by Clay Countians United, Manchester City Police and Clay County Sheriff's Office. For information contact Jeff Culver at 606-598-8411x224, Kevin Johnson at 606-598-3471, Doug Abner at 606-598-8871 or Ken Bolin at 606-599-6820.
Friday, March 28 - A methamphetamine awareness training was conducted for police officers from Clay, Laurel, Jackson and Owsley counties at Manchester City Hall. Approximately 43 people were in attendance.
Tuesday, March 18 - A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the Chad's Hope Center, a residential substance abuse treatment facility, was held. The center is located off U.S. 421 in the Burning Springs community. For information call 606-699-9716.
