October 2025 - Volume 37, Number 9 | Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (James 1.22)
HOLLEY SHARES HER RECOVERY TRIUMPH IN THE FIRST ‘INSIDE WAYSIDE’ VIDEO EPISODE
Nina Moseley captured Holley’s recovery story for the first episode of Inside Wayside.
Holley is 64 years old, and her story shows how Wayside can help people turn their lives around.
After 14 years sober, she relapsed and lost everything—her job, family, and home in North Carolina.
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​"I was down to 80 pounds and extremely ill," Holley says. "I knew if I didn't do something, I was going to die."
Her turning point came at rock bottom. "I said, 'God help me' probably at least 20 times that day. He did help me." In the hospital, Holley found a Wayside flyer. Though she'd never been to Louisville, she trusted God and took a bus here. "The only reason I'm sitting here today is because of God. He saved me," she says.
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At Wayside, Holley learned addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. "That changed everything for me."
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Now she works at Wayside, coordinating donations such as appliances, furniture and clothing from the community. "I get to see that there are really good people in this world. They want to help others," she reflects.
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​Today I can give back to people—just encouragement and a hug when someone needs it." Holley's journey proves recovery is possible with faith and help.
Holley schedules donation
pickups from the community.
DIRECTOR'S CORNER:
Urgent Volunteer Help Needed for
this Thanksgiving & Christmas
This holiday season, join us in making a difference for those in need. Wayside seeks your generous support to ensure everyone has a memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas.
THANKSGIVING NEEDS:
Servers & special project volunteers (stamping mailers, decorating for Christmas setup)
CHRISTMAS NEEDS:
A. Family Sponsors - Choose a family based on your capacity. Call 502-345-0081 for family details, children's ages, and interests. Shop, wrap gifts with care, and drop off by Dec. 22 for our Christmas Eve party.
B. Shelter Men's Christmas Party Sponsor - Churches or groups needed to create gift bags, bake cookies, provide Santa, and host the party. Caroling welcomed!
C. Free Christmas Store Volunteers - Help guide mothers through our store. Call Carol at 502-419-2486 to sign up.
Your time and support are invaluable.
Contact us or visit our link to volunteer!
Call or text today: 502-345-0081
Or CLICK to signup online
ATA Collegenurses generously volunteered at the Shelter, performing blood pressure checks, giving away backpacks, and much more.
St. John Paul II Catholic Church sent volunteers to organize the kitchen.
FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION EVENT
Local firemen loaded up plates with cookout goodies and also got
Thank You cards.
Hand delivery to the Firehouse.
Wayside Christian Mission, in partnership with Just Serve, organized a cookout meal to honor and thank local first responders, coinciding with the remembrance of 9/11. The event invited police officers, fire departments, and EMTs to enjoy a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, and beverages, either on-site or to-go.
Additionally, children created homemade thank-you cards for the responders. For those unable to attend, meals were delivered to their stations, with any remaining food being distributed to the local fire department.
Thanks to all First Responders for your dedication to rescue and save lives.
You are a blessing to our community!
Leon's Story:
How Wayside Saved a Veteran's Life
Leon spoke very frankly with Nina Moseley during the second episode of the new Inside Louisville video series.
Leon is a veteran who fought in the Vietnam War. A few years ago, his life fell apart. He was living with a friend in Ohio, but she had problems with alcohol and drugs. Leon has mental health issues, and the stress became too much. He felt hopeless and even thought about ending his life.
Leon remembered a place called Wayside Christian Mission in Louisville. He had been there 50 years ago when he left the Army. He promised himself he would go back if he ever needed help.
"Coming here, coming to Wayside saved my life. It kept me off the streets and safe." When Leon arrived at Wayside, they gave him a case manager named Jacob, who helped him make a plan to get his own apartment. Leon worked hard and followed the plan, and now he has his own apartment and is doing well. He comes back to Wayside to help other people because "everybody needs one person to believe in them."
Leon's faith in God helped him stay strong. "I can't live without God. That's what
keeps me going," he says. Every morning at 4:30, Leon reads the Bible and prays.
Leon tells other veterans: "If you want to change your life, call Wayside Christian
Mission. They can help you, too."
Community Partners Unite for Friday Food Fight
Dare to Care volunteers teamed up with Wayside staff to serve grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and desserts during September's Friday Food Fight cookout at the shelter. The collaborative effort also included Nationwide volunteers.
"We are so thankful for our partnership with Wayside and grateful for the work you do feeding our neighbors every single day," said Anna, Dare to Care Food Bank's volunteer director.
Volunteers serve Shelter clients during the Food Fight.
Thank you Anna, Dare to Care, and Nationwide for a yummy lunch.
Greenix Pest Control volunteers help
out at the Shelter
Volunteers from Greenix Pest Control blessed us with their help of cleaning up, organizing, and serving food.
