Serving the Appalachians

Lotts Creek Community School is the last of nearly one hundred “settlement schools” built in the Appalachian Mountains in the early part of the century. These schools were created to provide much needed education where it was unavailable. These settlement schools provided education as well as social services for the region. Today, Lotts Creek is the only school still operating in this manner.

As well as providing an excellent preparation for college, teachers also encourage students to be engaged in the community. While advanced education is of utmost importance basic needs must be addressed first. The school provides many services for the community including housing repairs, clothing, a food bank, and a medical assistance and wellness program at no cost to eligible members of the community.

Housing Repair/Home Building Project

Lotts Creek Community School oversees a housing program that began in the 1960’s. With the help of the Appalachian Service Project, the Kentucky Housing Corporation and over 500 volunteers, 25-28 homes are repaired each year. Volunteers from around the country reside in historic dormitories that once housed students.

Food Pantry

The pantry serves 80-100 families with monthly boxes made up of food and commodities from God’s Pantry in Lexington, Kentucky and other donations. To many, these services are the difference between life and death. “My family would starve if it weren’t for this food program,” said a local woman at the food bank.