You don’t have to leave your hometown to make a difference in the world. You can start changing your local community right now, right where you are.In this episode of Me and Poverty, we tackle what it actually takes to breathe new life into a struggling community. Joining the conversation is Corey Cassell, Director of Healthcare Administration at Thrive Community Coalition. Growing up together in Eastern Kentucky, we didn't just witness the challenges of poverty, addiction, and lack of resources—we lived them. Today, Corey is leading the charge to transform our home region from the inside out.This isn’t just a podcast episode; it’s a masterclass in grassroots change. Whether you are a young person wondering how to make your voice count, or an adult worker trying to build stronger support systems for local youth, this episode gives you the practical blueprint to step up, take action, and become a community builder.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- The Relationship Blueprint: Why real community transformation can't be bought—it has to be built, person by person.- The Three Pillars of Impact: How Thrive’s Grow Well, Recover Well, and Work Well framework can be applied to any neighborhood or town.- Empowering the Next Generation: How local youth can transition from feeling stuck to becoming active changemakers.- Uniting the Adults: How schools, local businesses, and churches can form a unified front to protect and support their youth.👉 Get Involved & Access Thrive’s Community Toolkits: https://www.thriveserves.com/Season Sponsor:This season is proudly sponsored by Appalachia Reach Out (ARO). ARO is on a mission to be ”Christ’s love in action,” providing vital resources, home repairs, and addiction recovery support across Kentucky and Ohio.🔗 Support their incredible work: https://www.appalachiareachout.comConnect with Joe:Websitewww.joelittleinspires.comIf you love your community and want to see it thrive, please hit like, subscribe, and share this episode with a neighbor, teacher, or local leader!