Shameka Parrish-Wright and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is calling for an end to the cash bail system which unfairly criminalizes poverty.  Many people have no ability to pay bail for even minor offenses and this has been a driving force in the increase in mass incarceration over the last 15 years, resulting in job loss, mounting fines and child custody issues. 

People who can't afford bail also have a higher chance of being convicted than if they hadn’t been assigned bail, as they take plea bargains just to get out of jail, whether or not they actually committed a crime. This is not right nor is it fair.

Thank you to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of  the Presbyterian Church, Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, and Raoul Cunningham President of the NAACP for hosting a rally to bring awareness about The Bail Project - Freedom Should Be Free.

For more information about The Bail Project Click here.

The Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc. (LCCC) Board of Directors and staff honored Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ellis with the 2019 Lyman T. Johnson Distinquished Leadership Award. The Lyman T. Johnson Distinguished Leadership Award was created by LCCC in 1990 for the purpose of recognizing, annually, a local resident(s) who have a record of demonstrating the humanitarian character of Dr. Johnson. LCCC also presents a Community Service Award to residents who perform outside their work function to make Metro Louisville a better place to live though activism, community and/or volunteer service. 

Other honorees were Bill and Angela Price and Empower West.

Thank you. 

Thanks to funding from Louisville Metro, St. John Center for Homeless Men, is providing lockers and storage options for those experiencing  homelessness. This make it possible for folks to secure their personal belongings whilst they go to work, appointments, job interviews, etc.

The lockers will provide a safe space for storage along with self respect, sense of dignity and  peace of mind.

The lockers are located at 431 East Liberty St. They are open Monday, 7 AM – 1 PM, Tuesday 11 AM – 5 PM, Wednesday, 7 AM – 1 PM, Thursday 11 AM – 5 PM, and Saturday 7 AM – 1 PM.

A historical marker was unveiled at the site where three historic protestant congregations have worshiped in its Beaux Arts edifice. The building was designed by architects McDonald & Dodd. The dome is 8-sided and 71’-6” wide. First Christian Church, established in 1833, constructed the building after John Starks bought its site in 1909 at Fourth and Walnut Street for $350,000. Lampton dates to a church organized in the 1860s that became Caldwell Street Baptist Church, dedicated in 1867. In 1977 Lampton then purchased the First Christian building for $750,000, and First Christian ultimately moved to U.S. 42 and Wolf Pen Branch Road. The building was added to National Register of Historic Places in 1979.   Formed in 1887, Immanuel Baptist Church now calls this historic building home.

Get ready, get fresh.

New Roots is now accepting orders and inquiries for the 2019 Fresh Stop Markets.

New Roots' Fresh Stop Markets are bi-weekly fresh food markets that "pop-up" at local churches, community centers and businesses in neighborhoods without farm-fresh food, where people who subscribe for organic, local produce can collect their shares (bags). New Roots is a grassroots nonprofit organization that supports the markets, volunteer leaders, farmers and fundraising that make it happen.

Here’s how it works: Community members purchase shares of 8-10 varieties of seasonal produce in advance, which comes from local farmers who provide fresh, delicious and organic items. Share prices are determined on an income-sliding scale, and everyone gets the same food regardless of what you pay. You then pick up your share at your neighborhood Fresh Stop Market every other week, at the market of your choice. Pop-up markets in seven different Louisville neighborhoods means fresh food is closer to home. Shareholders and volunteers regularly describe this movement of Fresh Food For All as life-changing.

Call 502.509.6770, or email info@newroots.org, to join a Fresh Stop Market in your community ahead of the June kick-offs. We double SNAP Benefits, and accept debit/credit. 

2019 Fresh Stop Markets are located in Berrytown, Shelby Park/Smoketown, Russell, Old Louisville, Hikes Point, Portland, and New Albany. Share prices are $6, $12, $25, or $40 based on your income and number of people in your household. Click here to see our PayMint scale. 

Contribute or volunteer to New Roots to support this life-saving work! Click here if you are an individual. Click here if you are a business.

OBAP's Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy provides middle and high school youth with exposure to opportunities in aerospace and aviation through week long summer camps.

Endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), OBAP has served a leading role in establishing ACE Academies nationwide to introduce, educate and guide diverse students towards careers in aviation.

For more information Click here.

See Something Say Something!!!!

We all know that illegal dumping--putting waste on property that is not licensed as a disposal facility--is an eyesore that is expensive to clean up, diminishes quality of life, discourages economic development and even sends plastic debris into our waterways.

That's why people caught dumping along our city's alleys, sidewalks, fields and roadsides are subject to fines and impoundment of any vehicle used in the dumping. That's where citizens can help with the problem. If you witness illegal dumping while it's happening, report it.

We've developed a new online form you can use to tell us where it happened, describe the vehicle(s) involved, preferably with license plate number(s), and even upload pictures. Of course you can always call Metro Call 311 or 574-5000. For more information about illegal dumping, including a link to the reporting form, visit our illegal dumping webpage.

Reminders at your fingertips

Clicking one of the links below to download Recycle Coach will keep you up to date on waste and recycling with the following features:

• What Goes Where tells all Jefferson County residents how to dispose of specific items such as hazardous waste, electronics and more.
• Personalized Collection Calendar has the collection schedules of Bulky Waste (junk), garbage, recycling, and yard waste for Urban Services District residents serviced by Louisville Metro.
• Individual Reminders is the place to sign up to receive automated reminders when bulky waste and other collections are scheduled for a specific address in the Urban Services District residents serviced by Louisville Metro.
• What Type of Recycler Are You? This is a five-minute quiz that lets you see how your recycling knowledge compares with others in Louisville.

Get Recycle Coach now at Google Play or at the App Store.

Louisville Metro Community Services - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) Appointment Scheduler

Households with incomes below $64,000 are eligible for participation in this program.Please note that the IRS does not allow our program to prepare returns that include farm income, income from rental properties or businesses or self-employment income that includes depreciation or that includes expenses for other employees of the business.

List of Documents to bring for your appointment

There are two ways that you can take advantage of the free tax services:

1. Self-File: Click here to access free versions of Turbo Tax or My Free Taxes (H&R Block's product) and click on the Free Online Tax Filing tab which is located near the top of the page. Prepare and e-file your own return. Assistance, if needed, is provided through an 800 number.
2. Traditional VITA Service: You schedule an appointment using this site and work with a certified volunteer that will assist you in preparing your return, review it with you and efile it for you when finished.

Here is a list of sites where you can make an appointment:

• Louisville Urban League: 1535 West Broadway,
        Through Thursday from Noon until 8PM and Saturdays 9AM until 3PM.
• Salt and Light Community Development: 3025 Gerald Drive,
        Monday and Tuesday from 5PM until 9PM
• Sun Valley Community Center: 6505 Bethany Lane,
        Tuesday from 10AM until 7PM, Wednesday from 10AM until 4PM and Saturday from 9AM until 1PM
• United Crescent Hill Ministries: 150 State Street,
        Friday from 9AM until 3PM
• Wesley House Community Services: 5114 Preston Highway,
        Monday and Tuesday from 10AM until 3PM

Here is a list of sites where Walk- in services are available:

• Bates Community Development Corp ~ 1228 Jackson St ,
        Monday Noon until 7PM, Thursday 10AM to 4PM, Saturday from 10AM until 3PM
• Sun Valley Community Center ~ 6505 Bethany Lane , 
        Thursday 9AM until 7PM
• Portland Promise Center ~1831 Baird St ,
        Friday 7PM until 9:30PM, Saturday 9AM until 3PM and Sunday from 3PM until 7PM

Within minutes of making your appointment, you should receive a confirmation email with a calendar appointment attached to the email. In addition, you will also receive a phone reminder the day before your appointment.

Appointments can be changed or canceled at any time on this website. You can also make or cancel an appointment at any time (24/7) using our automated phone system by dialing (502) 305-0005 and following the instructions.

Interested in serving on a board or commission?

By being a a part if a board or commission you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.

To learrn more about applications please visit 

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/boards-and-commissions-list