News Updates
+ Mayor appoints Gwinn-Villaroel to lead LMPD
 Mayor Craig Greenberg (right) pictured with Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel
After a months-long nationwide search, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced last week that he has chosen Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Louisville’s Chief of Police. Gwinn-Villaroel served as interim chief and will now be the permanent leader of LMPD, the largest law enforcement agency in Kentucky with more than 1,000 sworn officers.
Gwinn-Villaroel was selected following a thorough nationwide search, which resulted in 20 candidates. Each finalist was interviewed by an advisory committee of elected officials, nonprofit leaders and affected residents.
“Over the past six months, Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has shown our city that she has exactly what I’m looking for in a chief and exactly what our community is looking for in a leader,” said Mayor Greenberg. “She has extensive experience in law enforcement leadership and a record of reform. She is also a magnificent community leader and pastor who cares about the people she serves. Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has my trust, and I look forward to continuing to serve with her in this new role.”
Gwinn-Villaroel spent 24 years with the Atlanta Police Department, beginning in 1997 as a patrol officer and serving in numerous capacities including detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In 2020 she was promoted to commander of the Atlanta Police Department’s Training Academy before joining LMPD as deputy chief in 2021.
+ Gilda's Club increases outreach to Hispanic communities
 An artistic portrait of Gilda Radnor
Gilda’s Club is an international cancer support community with a location in Louisville. It's mission is to ensure those impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. They are dedicated to creating a support system unlike any other.
Recently, Gilda’s Club has begun their Hispanic outreach, adding more classes the second and fourth Saturdays of each month such as Loteria Mexicana and Zumba as well as a woman’s Wellness Group in Spanish.
Within the Louisville community, they offer several support systems and coping mechanisms ranging from arts, games, children and family camps to fitness. Events are held almost daily in person at their location on Grinstead Drive or virtually. They also have weekly offer weekly support groups and connections to other resources in Louisville such as legal, financial, and educational.
Volunteer opportunities are also widely available. Ranging from Gilda’s greeter, summer camp counselor, Art Class Assistant, Spanish translators, and Special Events Team. Donations are also a way to get involved by sponsoring a meal for the families in Gilda’s Club. A volunteer application is available on their website.
Originally founded and established in 1995 in New York City to honor actress and comedian Gilda Radner and her journey with cancer. In 2005, the Kentuckiana location was opened.
+ Applications for LIHEAP cooling and water assistance program now open
The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services has begun accepting applications for the 2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy Cooling Component and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These federally-funded programs are designed to help offset the cost of higher utility bills. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 22 or until funds are depleted.
Applicants for the LIHEAP Summer Subsidy and LIHWAP program must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,750). The LIHEAP Summer Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $250 depending on income levels and housing category. Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. The benefit amount is paid directly to the electric vendor (i.e. LG&E). The LIHWAP program also provides a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $100 depending on income levels.
Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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+ There’s still time to participate in Cultural Pass and LFPL's Summer Reading Program
There are nearly four weeks left of the Louisville Free Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program and the Cultural Pass!
The Cultural Pass, a partnership between Louisville Metro Government, Fund for the Arts and the Arts & Culture Alliance, offers youth ages 0 to 21 free access to many of the region's arts and culture experiences, including The Little Loomhouse, Carnegie Center for Art and History, the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Zoo and more.
The Cultural Pass runs through August 6.
The Summer Reading Program encourages more than 40,000 children and teens to read for fun over the summer. Kids and teens who complete the Summer Reading Program will receive some amazing prizes, including a backpack or sling shoulder bag and passes to local attractions and sporting events. Everyone who completes Summer Reading will also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of the Library's Grand Prizes.
The Summer Reading Program runs through August 5.
+ Sign up for WorldFest Parade of Cultures
 WorldFest is Louisville's premier international festival celebrating diversity, inclusion, and equity in the region.
The Office for Immigrant Affairs wants to see your pride and love for your heritage! Apply to participate in the 2023 Parade of Cultures below. A member of our team will be in touch with you regarding your application.
+ Jefferson County Public Schools 2023-2024 calendar
 Wednesday, August 9, 2023 starts the new school year for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). If you need more information, contact JCPS directly (502) 485-6250 or askstudentassignment@jefferson.kyschools.us
Also, you can download the school calendar below in many languages.
+ Sign up for LENSAlert & Smart911
Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone!
Text "LENSAlert" to 67283
Policy Updates
+ DHS announces family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
Nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members can be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis for up to three years while they wait to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
+ Temporary Protected Status designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua reinstated and extended for 18 months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the 2017 and 2018 terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and extended these four reinstated TPS designations for 18 months.
TPS beneficiaries under the four designations must re-register to maintain their TPS during the 18-month extension. Eligible individuals are those who arrived in the U.S. before the following continuous residence dates: Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras; June 24, 2015, for Nepal; and Dec. 30, 1998, for Nicaragua.
+ DHS, State Department announce enhancements to the Central American Minors program
The most recent enhancement, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department on April 12, builds on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order in the following ways:
Central American Minors program applicants interviewed between August 16, 2017 and January 31, 2018, who did not qualify for refugee status and were ineligible for parole consideration following the 2017 termination of the parole component of the CAM program will now be eligible to pursue parole.
+ DHS announces upcoming re-parole process for Afghan nationals
On May 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is establishing a process to re-parole eligible Afghan nationals so they can continue living and working legally in the United States. Beginning in June, Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States under humanitarian parole through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) will be able to request a re-parole through online and paper filing. As with any parole request, these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit. Additional details regarding the process will be available soon.
+ USCIS opens HART Service Center focusing on humanitarian cases and backlogs
On March 30, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations (SCOPS) directorate, and the first to focus on humanitarian and other workload cases.
In an effort to address the backlog associated with humanitarian immigration relief, the center has reassigned 150 current service center personnel and plans to hire an additional 330 employees, with nearly full staffing by June 30, 2025. While the center is currently hybrid, it is envisioned to be a 100% virtual service center across multiple time zones, identified by specialized work rather than a physical location.
+ Redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to improve security. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain improved technology and designs meant to further secure the documents. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date unless otherwise noted. Green card holders are encouraged to apply for the new cards.
+ Guidance for Adjustment of Status applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their guidance in their policy manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year when their Adjustment of Status is adjudicated. This new physical presence requirement supersedes the old rule which stated that asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for one year at the time they file their adjustment of status application.
Events
+ Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission public meeting
 Monday, July 31 | 6 p.m., speaker signups begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission, otherwise known as the HB 314 Commission, will host its final scheduled public comment meeting at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson St.
The Commission was created by the Kentucky General Assembly to review the accomplishments and insufficiencies of the Louisville consolidated government model including those relating to the role and duties of the Mayor and Metro Council, intergovernmental relations between Metro Government, suburban cities and special service districts regarding tax powers, distribution of governmental services and future relations between these governmental entities and to recommend internal or statutory changes to address any insufficiencies identified by the Commission.
These meetings are open to the public and will accommodate up to 30 speakers. Each speaker will be provided three-minutes to address the Commission. Speakers may sign up in-person thirty minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
Individuals can also share their comments online through August 4.
+ "Russia-Ukraine War: A Military Perspective" pop-up discussion
 Wednesday, August 9 | 5:30 p.m.
Join the World Affairs Council for a pop-up discussion on the Russia-Ukraine War: A Military Perspective.
Retired United States Army Brigadier General, Rob Givens, will share his insights on how the war is progressing (where we are) and what the "end" game might look like (where we're going) from a military perspective. BG Givens will also offer his perspective on how weapon systems have changed the strategic course of the war, the nature of this war, and what it might mean for future defense scenarios.
This program is $10 for non-members and free for members.
+ African American Golf Expo & Forum's Youth and Adult Golf Clinic
 Saturday, August 19 at 9 a.m.
The African American Golf Expo & Forum is hosting a free golf clinic at Shawnee Golf Course. The clinic includes golf instruction, a kid-preneur pop-up vendor shop, adaptive golf, a food truck and special guest Carter Bonas, Sports Illustrated 2022 Kid of the Year.
+ Register for the Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference this August
 Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25
The Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference will be hosted this year in Lexington at the new Central Bank Center. This year’s theme “Rising to the Challenge: Building A Stronger Kentucky" reflects the work of the Kentucky Housing Coalition and its partners in the aftermath of COVID-19, working together to re-home those affected by disasters in both Eastern and Western Kentucky, and overcoming ongoing issues in affordable housing.
The conference lineup includes keynote speeches from Gregg Colburn, Martin Muoto, and Shane Phillips, as well as breakout sessions about mortgage lending, homeless services, single-family development, multifamily development, and business development.
+ Downtown Drive-In with the Cinebus
Select Fridays through October 20
The Downtown Drive-In is an outdoor movie night series, taking place at Brown-Forman Amphitheater on select Friday nights through October.
Movies will begin at sundown, with the amphitheater open an hour before to allow guests to grab their spot in the theater. The event will include snacks and beer for purchase from local brewer Ten20 Craft Brewery and lemonade by Amiracle Ade Company. Movie-goers are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the viewing.
In collaboration with Waterfront Development Corporation, the film series is hosted at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road. The event is free to the public with free parking available at Waterfront Park’s Tan and Turquoise lots.
The Downtown Drive-In schedule:
- July 28: Encanto (PG)
- August 11: A League of Their Own (PG)
- August 25: Cars (G)
- September 8: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)
- September 22: Up (PG)
- October 20: Hocus Pocus (PG)
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+ Sign up for WorldFest on the Belvedere
 August 31-September 4, 2023
WorldFest, Louisville’s premier international festival is the most diverse, inclusive, and equitable event in the region, featuring:
We want to see your pride and love for your heritage! Apply to participate in the 2023 Parade of Cultures and/or Global Village below! A member of our team will be in touch with you regarding your application(s).
+ Free summer movie nights at Iroquois Amphitheater
 Select Wednesdays through September
Louisville Parks and Recreation has added 12 free movie nights to this year’s event calendar.
The Free Summer Movie Season includes the following titles and dates:.
- August 9: Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (R) 8:30 p.m.
- August 16: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- August 23: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) 8:30 p.m.
- August 31: Goldfinger (PG) 8 p.m.
- September 6: Star Trek: Into Darkness (PG-13) 8 p.m.
- September 13: Pokémon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes Back (G) 8 p.m.
- September 20: Godzilla (NR) 7:30 p.m.
- September 27: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) 7:30 p.m.
For a full list of events, visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com.
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