SPARC, KRV Praised for progress
KRV Executive Director Jeric Devore spoke at an event last week to promote the opening of his entity’s welding program.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
During a special event at Kentucky Recovery Vocational (KRV) last week, the main room was full of people…and pride.
The local program, which is leading the way in recovery and putting skilled people in jobs, held a grand opening for their welding component.
It was an event significant enough to draw the attention of Kentucky State Treasurer Mark H. Metcalf.
“It is truly an honor to be here,” Metcalf told state and local officials and dignitaries gathered at the KRV Welding center on Luda St., in Russell Springs Tuesday.
Metcalfe spoke about the importance of vocational education and praised KRV for addressing those needs.
“All of us are here today because of the vision put forth,” the state treasurer said. “We’re here celebrating accomplishments over the past few years.”
Entities such as KRV and SPARC (Sobriety. Peace. Awareness. Recovery. Center.) “Saw the need…and wanted to help,” Metcalfe said.
Kentucky State Treasurer Mark Metcalf praised local recovery and vocational programs during a special ceremony last week.
KRV Executive Director Jeric Devore said “live changing” impacts are occurring not only for clients and their futures through long-term sobriety, but also for the community as a whole.
Devore cited statistics which show an overwhelming number of program participants “are getting in the workforce and staying there.”
Since KRV began, approximately 255 clients have obtained their vocational certificate with 88.5 percent moving directly into the local workforce and staying employed for 90 days or more, thus proving to be reliable and valuable employees.
Devore explained the importance of integrating KRV and SPARC.
Participants “getting peer support and the initial support they needed,” he said. “All of these things are part of a holistic approach. Our simple vision is we’re proud of people, proud of work.”
Scott Wells, President of KRV, and CFO of SPARC, discussed the philosophy behind an obviously successful venture.
“People were struggling getting jobs and reentering the workforce,” he said. “People were going through recovering programs, and they were set up for failure before they ever walked out the door.”
“That’s one of the reasons Kentucky Recovery Vocational was formed,” Wells said. “Visions and goals were set. They’re still set and we’re very aggressive on reaching those.”
Wells explained the genesis of a symbiotic relationship between entities.
“One of the things we did was, we wanted to be able to put a vocational school that’s nationally credentialed and credited, a proprietary school in place,” he said, “so when they (participants) were in recovery, in the program six to eight months, we would give them an opportunity to not only focus on their substance abuse and their mental health, but it would also allow them to have the proper tools when they walked out the door to be able to go back to work, go back home, and take care of their family.”
Wells said participants have been able to “save money, buy cars, knock out restitution,” and meet goals.
“I really, really like where we’re at,” Wells said. “And this is all based on data, we are leading the way in substance abuse and mental health recovery. People are staying sober. The data proves it.”
“We are seeing people go to work and stay in the workforce,” he said, “and stay in it for 90 to 120 days while they’re here.”
Last week’s ceremony also included KRV/SPARC partners including Goodwill Industries, Tarter Gate, Stephens Pipe & Steel, Air Gas, the Fletcher Group, and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation-along with KRV Board Members.
