Donald Sharp retired after a 32-year career as a corrections officer, then continued to work for a local plumber until his heart attack last summer. Although activity leader Marcia Sayre sensed that the memory of Abigail's grandfather's sudden death was painful, Marcia encouraged her to reach for and remember fun times with her "Pawpaw."

"It's hard to explain why I love him," Abigail said, "but he's done a lot for me." His stories about his childhood - "talking about his bike with no wheels" and playing outside all day entertained her. "When my sister or cousins got on my nerves," she said, "his stories kept me laughing and I forgot about it."

When Ann Kingsolver, former director of the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, began speaking with grandparents raising grandchildren in Appalachian communities, two things became clear to her. First, these grandparents need a break every now and then. Second, they may not always feel comfortable helping their child with the curriculum offered in schools today.

So the idea for the UK Tomorrow Corps was born, tackling both issues of respite care and education enrichment. Eventually, it expanded beyond the idea of aiding grandparent caregivers to support many types of families and students across Appalachia. 

Kingsolver also realized the program could benefit another group: UK students.

In total, 29 UK interns agreed to tutor students ages K-12 throughout Eastern Kentucky. 

In partnership with public libraries, tutoring sessions have taken place in libraries in the following counties: Adair, Bath, Bell (Middlesboro), Breathitt, Carter (Olive Hill), Casey, Floyd (Minnie Branch), Johnson (Paintsville), Lee, Letcher (Whitesburg), Lincoln, Madison (Richmond and Berea), Magoffin, Montgomery, Nicholas, Owsley, Pulaski, Robertson, and Whitley.

"One of the main things that we are interested in creating is long-term mentoring cycles, a mentoring relationship, with the young folks," said Shane Barton, assistant director of the UK Appalachian Center and director of UK Tomorrow Corps. "Not only is curriculum important and covering some of the math and literacy work over the summer, but what may be more important is creating those positive mentoring relationships."

For Gabrielle Davis and Fallon Olexa, the opportunity was a one-of-a-kind experience. Both were introduced to Appalachia for the first time. The two hosted tutoring sessions for the month of June at the Minnie Branch of the Floyd County Public Library. 

With the support of the library and its resources, Davis and Olexa tutored five hours a day, four days a week. And just as the program and students have benefited from the library, the library has benefited from the program. Visitors  are beginning to utilize the library, first for the tutoring program, then returning to see what else it has to offer. 

"We've had people come 30 miles just traveling for tutoring," said Marilyn Bailey, manager of the Minnie Branch. "And they're coming here and checking out books and getting library cards that they've never had."

Bailey added that since the UK Tomorrow Corps program began at the library, there has been an increase in books checked out, computers used and new library cards administered. Tutoring sessions continued at the library through July with the two UK interns.

The UK Tomorrow Corps is having an impact not only on the children and their education, but also on the UK interns, public libraries and the entire community.

UK Tomorrow Corps program benefits many.