The Friday Finish - "make a difference" - Mixing Charity, Business - Skilled Pathways - Market Training - Hunger Relief, Home Improvement
- Tim Crawford
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
April 17, 2026
“You have the ability to make a difference”
Three middle school students - Jase Smith, Shelby Davis and Kiley Perry - were inducted Wednesday into SOAR Higher, the Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) honors group that recognizes student achievement. The acronym, SOAR, represents the four pillars that the organization stresses for its members – Serving God and others; Outstanding leadership; Academic excellence and Responsible citizenship. Student members explained each of these attributes to those gathered in the school chapel.
Mrs. Patty Vance, 4th-5th Grades/Appalachian Studies Teacher, spoke to the SOAR members, inductees, students and family members gathered in the RBCS Chapel. She encouraged the students in their leadership journey giving advice on qualities to grow their leadership skills by reading more, asking questions, stepping outside their comfort zone, and even using “failure” to learn.
Mrs. Patty challenged them to rise above challenges and negativity, adding,
“Never forget that you have the ability to make a difference, not just in your life, but in the lives of others.”
Mixing Charity with Business
Red Bird Mission was blessed with support from the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association’s annual meeting for Kentucky held in Louisville April 9-10. Advance information about Red Bird was sent out to attendees that focused their charitable giving on collecting school supplies and raising financial support through a silent auction and donations for Red Bird Mission. Executive Director Jamie Collett was invited to address the group during last Friday’s luncheon.
Jamie shared this week, “Our organization was blessed to be selected as the charity beneficiary for the 2026 Kentucky SAHMA affordable housing conference. I was honored to speak at the awards ceremony on behalf of Red Bird Mission, and excited to let the attendees know the impact that their gifts will have on the clients and communities that we serve.”
Skilled Pathways Explored
Our students had a great day exploring their futures at Hazard Community and Technical College on Wednesday!
A group of prospective students—including several graduating seniors planning to attend this fall—had the opportunity to tour both the technical campus and main campus. They met with admissions staff and professors who provided valuable guidance on course pathways for majors such as nursing, surgical technology, lineman training, and more.
Students also connected with the coordinator of the University Center of the Mountains, learning about exciting opportunities to continue their education and earn Bachelor’s, Master’s, and even Doctorate degrees through university partnerships across the state.
It was an informative and inspiring day as our students take the next steps toward their futures—because at Red Bird, great futures start here!
Post from the Red Bird Christian School Facebook page
Farmers Market Training
Pino Brock, Red Bird Grow Appalachia Field Coordinator, held the first Red Bird Farmers Market vendor training on Thursday. Pino led prospective vendors through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s training necessary to sell produce to recipients utilizing benefits provided through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the WIC (Women Infants Children) Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Pino also assisted with the required vendor applications and any questions regarding the SoliMarket Register app used for payment at the farmers market. Seven growers had completed the training and applications by Friday afternoon.
Service through Hunger Relief and Home Improvement
Members of the Work Camp team from the First United Methodist Church of LaPorte, Indiana started their week of service at Red Bird Mission by unloading much-needed food they brought to help supply our food pantries. They were seen the rest of the week both on and off the Queendale Campus making homes better and life better for the people served by Red Bird Mission.
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