Growing up in Harrodsburg, Amanda Heacock thought her future career would be teaching. Her journey through the University of the Cumberlands would take her on another path through a similarly compassionate field – social work.

Today, she’s in a role where she’s helping young people learn while also supporting them in their needs outside of school, as Youth Service Center coordinator at Bondurant Middle School in Frankfort. Some days, she’s providing students with moral support; others, she’s helping a family find a new place to live. A few weeks ago, she was helping students with another critical need – shoes.