August 2024 - Volume 36, Number 7 | Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (James 1.22)
A Haven in the Heatwave: Wayside Offers Refuge.
Hallie, too, appreciated the simple things – three meals a day, and a cool bed at night. With little to no water or food, she had been forced to sleep in the woods for a week. “I'm just glad Wayside took me in and are helping me with everything,” Hallie said. “I've worked here before, and I'm probably going to start working here again.“
Both Gabe and Hallie expressed their gratitude. Gabe thanked the staff for their patience and hard work, acknowledging the challenges they faced. He credited his faith with guiding him to Wayside. For Hallie, Wayside was a lifeline, offering not only shelter but also the opportunity to rebuild her life.
The scorching summer sun beat down on Louisville, turning the streets into a furnace. Gabe, recently homeless, sought refuge in the cool embrace of Wayside Christian Mission. There, he met Hallie, who had been there for two months. Both found solace in the air conditioning, the offered meals, and a place to finally rest their heads.
Gabe wasn't originally from Louisville. He'd lost his housing and spent two brutal weeks sleeping in a car with a dead engine. The experience was a stark contrast to the comfort of Wayside. Here, he found a chance to get back on his feet. The work therapy program offered not just a path back to the job market but also a sense of purpose. “I want to thank Wayside,” Gabe shared, “for the opportunity of allowing me to work, to be able to become another productive citizen in the world, and for not looking down on us.”​
Gabe and Hallie are grateful to Wayside for food, work, and a cool place to sleep.
Please Help Our Homeless: Call 502-345-9030
or visit waysidechristianmission.org/donate
DIRECTOR'S CORNER: MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THESE SOBER LIVING PROGRAM GRADUATES.
Recovery graduates were proudly photographed after their ceremony.
JERRY
“I'm different because now I learned to love myself. I was a wretch before and I surrendered. Using the Big Book, along with the guidance of our Lord Almighty Jesus Christ, I became a stand-up guy again. I became the Jerry that my parents raised me to be. Take alcohol out of the equation, and that's the man I am today.”
BUD
“I grew up going to church with my parents, grandparents, and they passed on. I sort of stopped going until I found faith on my own. Going through this recovery program has got me reacquainted with my higher power. And today I have a stronger and better relationship with Him.”
DEBRA
“I always prayed, but I prayed for the wrong things. Today, I know how to pray for something that's meaningful. I feel that God has given me a second chance of living. I feel that my higher power is showing me how to maintain my character defects and how to respect others. I feel that He's given me patience.”
APSS Certificates Awarded
A group of individuals in recovery have become certified as Adult Peer Support Specialists in Kentucky. This role involves advocating for clients in the recovery process and working as an intermediary between the client and medical professionals. The certification requires 30 hours of training, a testing process, and an annual renewal with continuing education credits. Congratulations to our new Adult Peer Support Specialists!
The Specialists display their certificates alongside their instructor, Jacob Ragains (top).
Hester Family Donates Commercial Fitness Equipment and Big Jungle Gym to the Mission
Most fitness equipment from Hester’s Family Fitness Center was donated to the Shelter.
After helping people with their health for many decades, the Hester family closed their doors in April to Hester’s Family Fitness Center in Hillview, KY. However, the Hesters wanted their dream of better health to live on. So they donated 80% of their commercial-quality equipment, and much more, to help those staying at Wayside Christian Mission.
“We decided to donate to Wayside because we wanted to continue our dream of helping the community get better health, fitness, and overall wellness,” Delinda Hester explained. “And we know with Wayside, they've been in business for more than 60 years. They help veterans. They help the homeless. They help the addicted. They have a women and children's section. And, they also support health and fitness. So, we donated about 80% of our equipment to Wayside - treadmills, bikes, spin bikes, ellipticals, weights, weight bars and cardio exercise equipment, plus our large jungle gym play area for their children.”
Our kids will really enjoy this massive jungle gym, also donated by the Hester Family.
HUGE THANKS TO THE HESTER FAMILY FOR THEIR AMAZING CONTRIBUTIONS! THIS EQUIPMENT WILL HELP SHELTER CLIENTS--OF ALL AGES--IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.
Nina Moseley gets a $1000 check from Beth Stenberg of Derby City Bop Club for the Veterans program.
UL nurses visited the Shelter in July and gave health checkups to many of our clients.
MFUGE students returned to Wayside to create fun time for our Shelter kids.
Help our homeless children excel in school by donating to our Back-To-School Fund.
Each child deserves basic educational tools.
Imagine a future where homelessness doesn't steal a child's chance to thrive. Education is their ladder out, but far too many homeless students struggle to climb it without basic necessities. Missing backpacks, worn-out clothes, the lack of simple supplies, AND no safe place to sleep each night, can become insurmountable obstacles.
Our Back-To-School Fund bridges this gap, empowering homeless students with the tools they need to reach their full potential. Your donation, whether physical or financial, big or small, makes a real difference. Please consider contributing to the Mission. Help us ignite a spark in every child!
Call 502-345-9030
or visit waysidechristianmission.org/donate
UPS donates 3800 Hygiene Kits for homeless
UPS delivered 3800 ‘Hygiene Kits’ to Hotel Louisville in late June. Paid for by the UPS Foundation, each kit contained socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a comb and a bar of soap.
Wayside will distribute to their own clients, to those staying in camps, and to other groups that support those living on the street.
The Mission is very grateful to the UPS Foundation and all their workers who helped assemble these loving gifts.
Wayside’s Nina Moseley & Andrew Takami of UPS display some of the 3800 hygiene kits.
