Funds Will Expand Reliance Works Employment Program to Eastern Kentucky
WILLISBURG, September 16, 2021 — Isaiah House, Inc. has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand its second-chance employment program, Reliance Works, into six Eastern Kentucky counties. This grant is part of ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to communities impacted by the decline of coal-related industries.
Reliance Works, established by Isaiah House in 2015, provides meaningful employment opportunities to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Participants have gained valuable work experience in fields such as construction, renovation, landscaping, custodial services, demolition, and more. The program has been instrumental in helping individuals rebuild their lives through sustainable employment and community support.
With this new funding, Reliance Works will expand to Estill, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Powell, and Wolfe counties. Isaiah House will collaborate with several regional partners, including:
- Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP)
- Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)
- Estill Development Alliance
- Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board (BGWIB)
- Operation UNITE
- Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
- Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority
These partnerships will help identify local workforce needs, create 50–60 new jobs, and provide on-the-job training for 70–80 individuals in recovery. The program also includes:
- Peer support and case management
- Transportation assistance
- Behavioral health services via telehealth
- Random drug testing for accountability
- Two new transitional living houses for affordable housing
Reliance Works will not only address employment barriers such as housing and transportation but also help participants earn certifications, build new skills, and pursue educational opportunities. Career services offered through EKCEP and BGWIB will support long-term success and self-sufficiency.
“Our second-chance employment program and workforce development initiatives have been very successful in Central Kentucky,” said Mike Cox, President of Isaiah House. “We look forward to expanding our outreach and partnerships to bring HOPE—Healing, Opportunity, Purpose, and Employment—to Eastern Kentucky.”
This initiative is part of a broader $46.4 million ARC POWER investment aimed at strengthening Appalachian communities through workforce development, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure improvements. Since 2015, ARC has invested over $287 million in projects benefiting coal-impacted areas, creating or retaining thousands of jobs across the region.
About Isaiah House:
Isaiah House, Inc. is a CARF-accredited, licensed non-profit offering residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient addiction treatment services for men and women across Kentucky. The organization is committed to providing holistic, faith-based care and life-transforming opportunities for individuals seeking recovery.