May 2025 - Volume 37, Number 4 | Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (James 1.22)
FINDING GOD'S PURPOSE: HOW ONE VETERAN RECLAIMED HIS LIFE AT WAYSIDE.
Larry, a veteran, explained that, along with God, you only need one person to believe in you.
What keeps drawing him back is the sense of belonging he discovered. "There's a lot of love in this [Hotel Louisville] building. I need people to believe in me and I need people to love me, and I need people to love."
Today, Larry's purpose is clear: "Whatever the future holds, I hope it's something that's going to glorify the name of the Lord, glorify God."
A veteran who served in the Judge Advocate General Corps, Larry arrived in Louisville, homeless, and seeking a fresh start. He ended up at Wayside where he discovered far more than temporary shelter. He found purpose and community that changed his outlook on life.
"Wayside is a very good place. If you're down, if you're totally disenfranchised, if you have no hope and you're just out there and you want a different new start, Wayside is a place to go."
For Larry, faith became his foundation. "I am a firm believer that there is a God, and that Jesus was his son. And I do believe that if you ask and you confess your sins, that God will help you."
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Sober since 2003, Larry returns regularly to support others, stressing personal responsibility to other homeless Veterans: "You have to be the one to do the legwork. You have to want to not sleep on the streets."​
HELP US HELP MORE VETERANS LIKE LARRY.
Mail your check today or donate online.
DIRECTOR'S CORNER:
It’s important to feel included at Easter.
Wayside made Easter weekend special with fun activities for everyone. Kids and adults got to meet the Easter Bunny, thanks to KMA/KBA biker members. Everyone enjoyed a tasty Easter lunch together, which included karaoke and door prizes. And an afternoon Easter Egg Hunt was full of excitement as kids searched frantically for hidden eggs. (THANKS to donor, Sharon, for donating 500 filled eggs!)
The KMA/KBA biker members brought the Easter bunny & gifts!
Wayside’s Easter lunch included some creative karaoke singing.
The Easter Egg Hunt brought big smiles to many of our kids!
These holiday events matter a lot. When you don't have a home, you can feel left out of special days that other families celebrate. At Wayside, everyone gets to join in and feel part of a
community. Even without a permanent home, people could still enjoy Easter traditions and
make happy memories together. These simple celebrations help people feel included and respected during holidays when family time matters most.
Friends of the Shawnee Library held their Fundraiser at the Hotel
The Friends of the Shawnee Library’s Fundraiser featured speakers, a lunch buffet, a style show, vendors and more!
Hotel Louisville welcomed a return of the Friends of the Shawnee Library for their Annual Fundraiser in April.
This Derby event, ‘Hats Off to Mattie Jones,’ featured many speakers (including Wayside’s Nina Moseley), several scholarship awards, a lunch buffet, a style show with the M.O.D. Squad (Men of Distinction), raffles, door prizes, and a wide array of vendor offerings. This fundraiser supports both youth and adult services/events provided by the Shawnee library.
South Dixie Community Choir blessed us
with an Easter service.
Fleur's Dream shared snacks,
clothing and more!
Drake’s sent their food truck to the Shelter.
The ATA nurses provided a clinic at Wayside.
The Red Hat Ladies returned to the Hotel with a western theme!
(Photo by: Russell Weakley, Sr.)
JCTC students planted flowers and seeds of love for Wayside clients.
JB Hunt volunteers came to Wayside to serve dinner.
JCTC students helped our clients find their spirit animals!
Steve from St. X served lunch at Wayside.
Tristan from St. X helped keep our cafeteria clean.
FINDING HOME: WHITNEY’S JOURNEY
Whitney says, ‘They treat you like family’ at Wayside.
Whitney arrived at Wayside's doorstep with nowhere else to turn. A mother of four children, ages 17, 15, 11, and 8, she faced the harsh reality of homelessness after being asked to leave a friend's home. "We didn't have anywhere to go,” Whitney recalls about her first time seeking shelter. “We don't have any family out here," When many places turned her away saying, "We don't do kids," Wayside offered something different: a welcome for her entire family.
What Whitney discovered wasn't just shelter, but community. “They treat you like family, they welcome you, they don't judge you," she shared about her experience. Though her children needed time to adjust, they eventually embraced their temporary home.
Whitney works at Wayside cleaning the facility while her children attend school virtually on their Chromebooks. She participates in women's programs that provide comprehensive support with housing vouchers and Section 8 applications.
Whitney's message to others hesitating to seek help: "You got to give it a chance. Nobody judges anyone here. Everybody's welcome." Her dreams remain the same:"To get our own spot and call it our home." For now, Whitney takes life day by day, finding stability and hope at Wayside.
Want to volunteer at Wayside?
Meet us on Saturday morning.
Wayside’s history is full of amazing volunteers generously donating their time to help our less-fortunate neighbors. And our volunteers truly get as much joy as they give! Join us for our next orientation: 10am on Saturdays at Hotel Louisville.
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Text or Call TRACY:
502-345-0081
New volunteers meet for a recent Saturday orientation.
