May 2026 - Volume 38, Number 4 | Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (James 1.22)
GOOD MEMORIES MATTER: WHY WE CELEBRATE EASTER WITH OUR SHELTER GUESTS.
The Easter Bunny made a guest appearance with our biker friends.
For most families, Easter means a big dinner, colorful baskets, and time with people they love. For our guests at Wayside, it can mean all of that — plus something even more important: knowing someone cares.
Wayside COO, Nina Moseley, says the Easter celebration does more than feed people. It reminds them they are not forgotten. "They feel like they're all out here alone," she says. "But when we have events like this, it gives them the feeling that people care. It gives them a little more hope."
This year's celebration included a full Easter dinner with ham, turkey, and desserts. Kids received Easter baskets donated by the Kentucky Motorcycle Association and the Kentucky Bikers Association. Guests also heard the Easter story together as a group.
The impact lasts long after the day is over. Former Wayside guests, some now with jobs and families of their own, come back during the holidays to serve meals and help others. They remember what it felt like when a stranger did something kind for them. Now they want to do the same.
For most families, Easter means a big dinner, colorful baskets, and time with people they love. For our guests at Wayside, it can mean all of that — plus something even more important: knowing someone cares.
Wayside COO, Nina Moseley, says the Easter celebration does more than feed people. It reminds them they are not forgotten. "They feel like they're all out here alone," she says. "But when we have events like this, it gives them the feeling that people care. It gives them a little more hope."
This year's celebration included a full Easter dinner with ham, turkey, and desserts. Kids received Easter baskets donated by the Kentucky Motorcycle Association and the Kentucky Bikers Association. Guests also heard the Easter story together as a group.
The impact lasts long after the day is over. Former Wayside guests, some now with jobs and families of their own, come back during the holidays to serve meals and help others. They remember what it felt like when a stranger did something kind for them. Now they want to do the same.
Our amazing volunteers joined in to ensure everyone enjoyed the day!
"There's a place for everyone," Nina says. "It just takes a little longer sometimes."
Thanks to all who helped bring Easter to our clients!
DIRECTOR’S CORNER: Remembering Rev. Richard Anderson: Wayside's Founder, Gone Home at 97.
Rev. Richard Anderson, Wayside's Founder (shown here with Tim and Nina Moseley), believed people of ALL colors were God’s children.
In 1957, a young seminary student looked at the streets of Louisville and saw homeless people with nowhere to go. So, he built a shelter.
Reverend Richard "Dick" Anderson founded Wayside Christian Mission with just 10 beds and one belief: God's love belongs to everyone.
When a donor offered him $7,400, but only to serve white people, Rev. Anderson turned it down without hesitation. That decision made Wayside the first homeless shelter south of the Mason-Dixon Line to serve people of all races.
When a donor offered him $7,400, but only to serve white people, Rev. Anderson turned it down without hesitation. That decision made Wayside the first homeless shelter south of the Mason-Dixon Line to serve people of all races.
Rev. Anderson went home to be with the Lord on March 31, 2026. He was 97 years old.
His mission lives on. Today, Wayside serves thousands of men, women, children, and veterans every year, still led by the same values he planted here nearly 70 years ago.
Thank you, Reverend Anderson. We've got it from here.
CLICK HERE to read the full tribute
for our Founder.
Barbara & Chet Came to Dance — and Changed Lives
Barbara & Chet (far left) celebrated their 10th year anniversary of holding Friday night country dances.
Bob Watters, a 26-year veteran dance instructor, was inducted into the Louisville Dance Hall of Fame.
What started as a Friday night country dance class became something far bigger. Over the past decade, Barbara and Chet's weekly dance event has welcomed more than 18,450 guests, featured 11 instructors, and taught 132 line dances. But the most remarkable number? Together, this community of dancers has raised an estimated $162,000 for Wayside Christian Mission.
At their 10th anniversary celebration, the group also honored Bob Watters, a 26-year veteran dance instructor, with induction into the Louisville Dance Hall of Fame. Bob's mother always told him his middle name had to be "flexible." Turns out, so does a community that shows up for others, two-steps at a time.
CLICK HERE to watch the video.
From Rock Bottom to Restored: Catherine's Story
Catherine didn't believe in God upon arrival at Wayside. But today she says, “I know God's got me."
Catherine started using drugs at age 12. By the time she was grown, meth and synthetic marijuana controlled her life. She cycled through foster homes across Kentucky, juvenile jail, and prison four times as an adult.
She wasn't looking for help the day things changed. Sitting in a jail cell, something broke through. "I can't do this anymore," she thought. She made a call, and the woman who answered, a Wayside graduate, knew exactly where Catherine needed to go.
Catherine arrived unsure and resistant. She didn't believe in God and didn't want to. But something changed. "I know God's got me," she says today. "Something clicked and something changed." The day she finished the program, her mother passed away peacefully. Catherine believes her mom finally knew she was safe.
Today she's one year clean, the longest stretch of her life, and working at the Wayside Bargain Center. Her goal: help other women find the same way out.
Wayside Throws St. Patrick's Day Feast for Hundreds of Homeless Neighbors. And Irish Volunteer Groups Helped!
Wayside clients really got in the Irish spirit at our St. Patrick’s Eve Dinner.
On March 16th, Wayside hosted an authentic St. Patrick's Day Eve celebration for hundreds of our homeless neighbors. Volunteers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) served a full scratch-cooked Irish dinner, corned beef, champ, cabbage, and homemade apple cobbler, alongside live music, dancing, and giveaways.
"Our clients had a wonderful time," said a Wayside staff member. "The volunteers want to come back next year — with even more people."
AOH and LAOH volunteers brought some extra Irish love by serving our clients.
RELIGIOUS GROUPS BEING PART OF THE MISSION!
South Dixie Community Choir performed an Easter service.
New Beginnings Empowerment Temple brought pizza, hotdogs, sandwiches and more.
Greater New Beginnings Church came to bless our women in the program at Hotel Louisville.
Portland Christian Academy brought many students to help us at the shelter kitchen and our Thrift Store.
Northeast Christian Church men got together to bless us with backpacks full of goodies.
