KYSTEPS Summer refugee program loses funding

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Steps is a nonprofit whose motive is to serve and provide treatment to families experiencing mental health and disabilities.

It offers programs of intellectual and developmental disability services, mental health and counseling services and refugee services.

Three years ago, KYSTEPS started a program that allows refugee children to be exposed to different career options in the City of Bowling Green.

A grant helped provide nearly 50 kids with growing experiences every summer since it began, however, this summer was the last time they received that grant. 

Alexis Cain, targeted case manager with KYSTEPS, said this program is a pipeline to success and safe haven from trauma, as the children become citizens of the United States.

“Not just with youth but when they come into our country really how KYSTEPS sees it is we want their mental health to be taken care of,” Cain said.

She said the program exposes them to counseling they need to enter different fields and opportunities. Without it, some of the kids might not be successful in their chosen fields. 

“The job might now be successful. or getting a driver’s license. like that’s not their priority because they’re still in survival mode,” Cain said.

Now the memories and opportunities are fading away because the funding is no longer there.

“We’ve lost one grant for the summer camp, and I don’t know that we’re going to get that back,” she said.

If you would like to support KYSTEPS, you can head over to their website.