Crystal Smallwood

Crystal Smallwood is a thirty-three-year retired educator who currently serves as the director of the UNITE Service Corps Program for Operation UNITE in the Fifth Congressional District, Eastern Kentucky. Operation UNITE is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2003 to combat the opioid crisis in Eastern Kentucky.

“UNITE” is an acronym for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment, and Education. It reflects the three-pronged, comprehensive approach deemed necessary to combat substance abuse and misuse. The UNITE Service Corps Program (USC) is only one of the drug prevention education programs provided by Operation UNITE.  The USC grant provides 56 AmeriCorps members who serve in schools throughout 19 counties.  The members serve as math tutors and teach drug prevention education.  In addition to the members serving in schools, the grant also includes funding for summer interns who assist with multiple drug prevention youth programs such as Camp UNITE, Shoot Hoops not Drugs, Hooked on Fishing, and more. For more information about Operation UNITE, please visit https://operationunite.org (click ‘Programs’ at the top of the page to learn more about the USC Program and other programs UNITE offers.)

Mrs. Smallwood, a coal miner’s daughter, grew up in Eastern Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky and earned a bachelor’s degree in School Library Media, K-12. Her commitment to education led her to continue her studies while serving as a school librarian in Pike County. She earned two graduate degrees—a Master’s and a Rank I in Elementary Education from Morehead State University. This strong educational foundation underpins her leadership of the UNITE Service Corps Program.