Jeffersontown Magazine November 2023

MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2023

Where the Heart Is

JEFFERSONTOWN RESIDENT LUKE WALKER RAISES MONEY FOR HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS

BETWEEN THE LINES Louisville Book Festival Is About More Than Just Page-Turners HOMETOWN HELP St. John Center Assists Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

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TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / JEFFERSONTOWN MAGAZINE / 3

A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

IN THIS ISSUE

NOVEMBER 2023

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Clater Jewelers

Jeffersontown Resident Luke Walker Raises Money for Homes For Our Troops

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™

WHERE THE HEART IS

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CANINE COURAGE

Local Rescue Dog Ethan Brightens Lives in Many Ways

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DARING TO DREAM

The Dream Factory Helps Wishes Come True for Chronically and Critically Ill Children

NINE WAYS TO HONOR THOSE WHO’VE SERVED THIS VETERANS DAY

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HOMETOWN HELP

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BETWEEN THE LINES

Louisville Book Festival Is About More Than Just Page-Turners KEY CONTRIBUTORS CARRIE VITTITOE / GRACE SCHAEFER / JULIE YATES MAKENNA HALL / MELISSA STALB

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H appy H olidays !

T H E M AYO R ’ S M E S SAG E

Mayor Carol Pike

LIGHT UP JEFFERSONTOWN KICKS OFF SEASON OF ACTIVITIES

The holidays are upon us!

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, then we’re into the season of Santa and all sorts of fun events.

I so enjoy the holidays in Jeffersontown! Seeing lots of families happily participating in our activities is very rewarding.

The season begins with Light Up Jeffersontown 2023 on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

I hope you will join us for this annual celebration in Gaslight Square in front of Jeffersontown City Hall, 10416 Watterson Trail.

We’ll have our tree lighting ceremony,

a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus plus light refreshments, live music, and even more holiday fun!

Santa’s elves have been busy this year coming up with holiday fun for Jeffersontown families.

We’re also having our first ever Holiday Home Decorating Contest, Pancakes with Santa Claus and Santa Sightings, a fun new activity that involves clues to help you spot Santa around town. (See details on the facing page.)

The Jeffersontown City Council and I hope you enjoy the fun we’re providing.

We also want to wish you a joyous holiday and a very Happy New Year!

For event updates and more information, visit www.jeffersontownky.gov or follow us on the City of Jeffersontown Facebook page.

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM TO BE HELD NOV. 12 AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK The City of Jeffersontown and American Legion G.I. Joe Post #244 will hold their annual Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 10707 Taylorsville Road, at the Freedom Wall Memorial.

The keynote speaker will be Marjorie “Marj” Graves, who served as a U.S. Army nurse in Vietnam and continues to support veterans. CSM Gregory M. Bethards, U.S. Army (Retired) and Commander of the American

Legion G.I. Joe Post #244, will be in command of ceremonies.

Jeffersontown Police Chaplain Tom Dillard will sing the National Anthem. A patriotic music program will be performed by the Kosair Shrine Dance Band.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Jeffersontown Senior Citizens Center, 10631 Watterson Trail.

There is no cost to attend the event. Please join us as we honor all veterans.

6 / JEFFERSONTOWN MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Get ready for the holly jolly holidays!

SUBMIT YOUR FESTIVE HOME TO NEW CONTEST

Gather your Christmas lights, ribbons and candy canes! It’s time for the first ever Jeffersontown Holiday Home Decorating Contest.

Enter the contest by nominating your house (Jeffersontown residences only) by submitting your street address to social@ jeffersontownky.gov. Submission deadline is Dec. 10 by 5 p.m.

Judging starts Dec. 11. The winner will be announced during the Dec. 19 Jeffersontown City Council Meeting. Prize to be announced later.

You must be Jeffersontown resident to participate. A map of all entries will be posted on the city’s Facebook page so all fans of Christmas lights can check out the decorated homes.

PANCAKES WITH SANTA CLAUS The most magical breakfast of the year is here, and you’re invited to join us for “Pancakes with Santa Claus!”

Gather your family and friends for a delightful morning filled with delicious pancakes, holiday cheer, and a visit from the North Pole.

Date: Saturday, Dec 23 Location: The Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road Time: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $8 per person (no charge for 2 and under) Pay at the door, cash or card; taxes and fees included.

SANTA SIGHTINGS: FIND SANTA IN THE WILD – OR AT LEAST AROUND TOWN! Ho, ho, ho! Get ready for a jolly adventure as we bring the magic of the North Pole to Jeffersontown in a truly unique and festive way.

We’re introducing “Santa Sightings” – an enchanting activity that lets you embark on a heartwarming quest to spot Santa Claus in unexpected places around town.

Keep an eye on Jeffersontown’s social media for clues and updates about Santa’s whereabouts.

Join us for Santa Sightings and let the magic of Christmas come to life as we seek out Santa Claus in the wild!

BEAM SIGNING EVENT SHOWS PROGRESS ON NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS A beam signing event was held on Sept. 25 at the site of the new Jeffersontown Police Headquarters that is under construction on Taylorsville Road.

Jeffersontown officials along with project leaders took turns signing the final beam left to be placed in the two-story, 40,000-square-foot structure.

Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders The new headquarters, located signs the final beam to be installed in the new police headquarters building. Mayor adjacent to the current police Carol Pike waited for her turn to sign. station, will be a state-of-the-art

facility with the latest in technological advances for policing.

The new police headquarters will have a community room and a public plaza that can be used by community groups.

The plaza also will be used for activities such as bicycle safety training for children.

Construction is well under way, with the police headquarters expected to be completed in November 2024.

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / JEFFERSONTOWN MAGAZINE / 7

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Jeff Callaway & Ethan

CANINE COURAGE

LOCAL RESCUE DOG ETHAN BRIGHTENS LIVES IN MANY WAYS Writer / Grace Schaefer Photography Provided

You wouldn’t think, just by meeting Ethan, that he’s known suffering. He’s happy to see you, and he will do whatever it takes to spread a little cheer to anyone he meets. He doesn’t even do it with words. Ethan is a rescue dog - a presa canario, to be specific.

says. “I wasn’t sure he was going to make it through the weekend, but it was obvious he’d never been shown any love at all in his life, and so however long he had, I wanted to make sure that he knew that he was cared for.”

Ethan’s story began in January 2021, when he was found abandoned outside of a Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) campus. “He had obviously been kept in a small, confined space where he couldn’t get up, and he was actively dying,” says Jeff Callaway, who met Ethan the day he was found. He weighed only 38 pounds when he was found, though he should’ve weighed 90.

On his first night, Ethan was taken to an animal hospital due to seizures. “He was not only physically in bad shape, but mentally,” Callaway says. “You could put some food in front of him and he could smell that it was there, but he didn’t have that cognitive ability to put his mouth where his nose was smelling the food. So it took quite a bit of staying with him and working one on one.”

Callaway, a four-year employee of the KHS at the time and a lifelong animal lover who had always had rescue dogs, reflects on that day. “It was kind of hard to explain, but when I saw him, I just kind of knew he was my dog,” he says.

Even though the veterinary staff estimated that Ethan had less than a 10% chance to live, Callaway was not deterred. “I just wanted to do whatever I could for him,” he

him for walks. He played games with him to keep his mind stimulated. “That went on for a couple weeks, and then we were going to have a bad snowstorm and no one was certain whether we were going to be able to get in the next day or not,” Callaway says.

“He was well enough to come home and spend the night, so that night he came to my house, and he’s been there ever since.”

At first, he would spend the nights with the Callaway family, then go back to the KHS during the day. Early on, Ethan only observed the other animals around him, but over time he grew more comfortable, even beginning to bark. “It was particularly cool to see him kind of coming out of his shell After a few days, Ethan returned to the KHS. again, and kind of realizing that there are some nice people in the world and that he’s “That was the first night when he got up and started walking on his own,” Callaway in a place where he’s going to be loved and recalls. “I came in the next day and there he cared for,” Callaway says. was, standing up and walking around. He licked me in the face, and they said that was Ethan’s recovery, though tied to the lives of the first time he had given anyone a lick or a the Callaway family, had a far greater impact as well. Ethan became a rallying point for kiss. I just knew he was mine.” the local community and beyond, in the period of isolation brought on by the early Callaway began coming to the KHS during days of the pandemic. “It was just a terrible nights to change Ethan’s bandages and take 10 / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

On March 10, 2021, Ethan was officially adopted into the Callaway family, but his impact and achievement didn’t end there. Today, Ethan has his own social media page, so fans can keep up with their favorite inspirational dog.

When he can’t spend the workday with Callaway, he spends time comforting animals in the KHS vet area. Among his many accomplishments, Ethan has

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time,” Callaway says. “I think part of it is people saw Ethan’s story and they thought, ‘This is another terrible, terrible thing. This dog’s not going to make it, and who could do something like this to a dog?’ And every day he just kept getting just a little bit better, and a little bit better, so his story became a source of happiness for so many people during the pandemic.

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“I JUST WANTED TO DO WHATEVER I COULD FOR HIM. I WASN’T SURE HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT IT WAS OBVIOUS HE’D NEVER BEEN SHOWN ANY LOVE AT ALL IN HIS LIFE, AND SO HOWEVER LONG HE HAD, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HE KNEW THAT HE WAS CARED FOR.”

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been named Compassion Ambassador by the Kentucky Derby Festival, and has been inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame. He has thrown out first pitches, and he’s received proclamations from the Metro government.

In 2022 he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for the Shelter Dogs category, and the American Humane National Hero Dog of the Year.

personal connection with every single person,” Callaway says. Seeing the positive impact Ethan has on an individual level has the greatest effect on Callaway.

“It’s overwhelming to me to see this positive impact, and the amount of attention that this one little dog can bring to shelters and to abused animals,” he says. “His message is always about love and support, and we try to always end those messages with, ‘Please do something kind for someone today.’

Alongside Callaway, Ethan advocates So no matter where we go, we just want to for a tightening of anti-torture, antishow that, no matter where you’ve been and abandonment law in Kentucky. With such what you’ve been through, just show some an involvement in legislation, he has even sat in the gallery of the house and the senate love and support for one another, and you never know what the other person is going to watch proceedings. through. [Ethan] has every right to be not Just recently, Ethan and Callaway received a nice, and unkind to people and animals, but WLKY Bell Award, marking the first time an he’s just not that way.” animal will be recognized.

Even though the KHS shelter is no longer Ethan’s home, it’s still an important place.

However, these big achievements don’t “If you have any way to support your local alter the little, daily impacts. “He has this shelter, whether that is by donations or connection with people, and it’s a different

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volunteering, please do that,” Callaway says.

Ask your local shelter what their needs are.

“Unfortunately, there are still animals that are still mistreated in our communities, and anything we can do to try to help those animals out, we want to try to do,” Callaway says. “Just be kind to folks. You never know what their story is and what they’ve gone through, and sometimes a little bit of kindness can be exactly what they needed that day.”

So, remember Ethan’s example. No matter what you’re going through, there’s always an opportunity to make someone else’s day a little bit better, giving them a glimpse of a better world, one smile and one nice word at a time.

“Please do something kind for someone today.”

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DARING TO DREAM

THE DREAM FACTORY HELPS WISHES COME TRUE FOR CHRONICALLY AND CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Childhood and adolescence are typically characterized as a carefree and fun-filled periods of life. They are thought of as times of self-discovery, as endless possibilities are experienced without the weight of a lot of responsibility. Most parents can enjoy watching their children unfold their wings and fly into the world with only minor stumbling. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for families with a critically or chronically ill child.

Mike McKenzie

appointments. For them, worry is a constant theme. The Dream Factory, a national wishfulfillment organization, has a mission to enable such children, aged 3 to 18, to briefly set aside these struggles.

The Dream Factory has over 30 chapters across 16 states, and is the largest allvolunteer organization of its kind. Founded in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1980, its headquarters are in Louisville. With only three full-time positions and one part-time paid position, 95% of the money it raises The lives of families with a child experiencing an advanced or chronic disease goes directly to its mission. This has enabled the organization to earn Charity Navigator’s are hampered by the demands of hospital highest rating of four stars for the past stays, and scheduled doctor or treatment 14 / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

nine years.

Besides being staffed almost entirely by volunteers, The Dream Factory has another aspect that sets it apart. As with other wish-fulfillment organizations, it allows recipients to have a family vacation, attend an event or meet someone special. However, it aims to provide these memory-making experiences not only for children nearing the end of life, but also for those with serious and chronic illnesses that have interfered with their childhood.

“We are like other similar organizations in that we all want to provide a brief time of relief from worry, and put smiles on the faces of a child and the family,” says Mike McKenzie, chief executive officer and national director. “Except in our case, the illness doesn’t have to be life threatening. We provide dreams for children with serious chronic conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, active sickle cell anemia and Down syndrome, and individuals with heart or pulmonary issues. We don’t use the word ‘terminal.’

We don’t want a child to hear the word used when discussing their eligibility and ask what it means.”

In fact, some dream recipients have grown into adulthood and are living fruitful lives. McKenzie recounts the story of a teenage girl whose dream was a one-

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on-one meeting with the Pope. Today she is married and has children. The impact of the organization can never be fully measured, but it is clear the experiences granted make a lasting difference.

Children with chronic illness battle stress and depression. In addition, they may also suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Two studies in recent years have yielded results that suggest a fulfilled wish can improve an ill youngster’s quality of life. A 2015 study in Israel reported that increased positive emotions generated through participating in dream programs fostered an increased sense of well-being. More recently, a 2018 study conducted at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, concluded that patients who were granted a wish were more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital and emergencydepartment visits.

The Dream Factory can be part of the team helping the family through an illness

journey, but out of respect for privacy, a patient is never recruited. Parents, guardians, physicians, and children with advanced documented diseases can make referrals to begin the dream-granting process. There is no regard given to race, color, creed, religion, ethnic origin or economic status, but the child must reside in a community where a chapter exists.

“Chapters build relationships with local hospitals,” says McKenzie. “Typically, a child-life specialist or treatment plan coordinator is assigned to families. This person becomes a point of contact. Social media posts made by family members also raise awareness of our organization and increase referrals after being viewed by those experiencing similar situations.”

can make it happen in three to four weeks if that is all the time a child has. What drives us is that we know the wish will make lasting memories for the rest of the family.”

McKenzie shares that the types of dreams provided are varied. Not everyone asks for a trip such as a stay in Disney World.

Some children wish for shopping sprees, gaming consoles or concert tickets. During COVID, “she sheds” were built or campers were requested for family getaways.

Compromised immune systems must be kept in mind when considering dream options.

“One of the most heart-tugging dreams was given to a child at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky in Lexington,” says McKenzie.

“His mother and father were from Africa “When the referrals come into the local and when their visa expired, they had to chapters, members ask themselves, ‘How return to Africa. His wish was to get back to can we figure out a way to make this happen?’” he continues. “Sometimes it must Africa so he could spend his final days with his family.” be a second choice. The hardest is how we

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“There are lots of good people in the world,” he adds. “Volunteers sometimes fund dreams out of their own pockets.

Fundraising depends on local communities.

In Louisville there is a black-tie gala. In rural areas it might be a tractor pull. There are golf scrambles and trivia nights, and in Memphis wet-suited individuals water ski at the annual New Year’s Day Ski Freeze. We accept donations on our website as well.”

to reach out his national office and start a conversation. He feels there is no shortage of children who could qualify and benefit from having a dream fulfilled.

There is plenty of room at the table for anyone who wants to make a difference in a gravely ill child’s life by volunteering or initiating a new chapter.

The Dream Factory is fortunate to have several national partners who believe in and support their mission. These businesses and organizations facilitate dreams.

Among them are American Airlines, Atlantis, Holiday Inn and Southwest Airlines. Foundations represented include Sunshine Foundation, Something mAAgic Foundation, and Samtec Cares.

“My wife and I began volunteering for the Lexington chapter,” says McKenzie.

“We just felt in our hearts and minds the urge to help sick kids and put a smile on their face. After I retired from education about five years ago, this opportunity to take a national leadership role came up.

I can’t think of a greater way to write the last chapter of my work life than this. I firmly believe that each and every dream makes a difference. For perhaps a week, a family doesn’t have to worry about doctor appointments, shots or chemotherapy. A child gets to be normal for a week. That’s

McKenzie, who was an educator and high school principal before retiring, would like to see the organization grow. He urges any community wanting to start a local chapter

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / 17

what every parent wants.”

For more information on The Dream factory including volunteering, finding a local chapter and donations, visit dreamfactoryinc. org. The national office is located at 410 West Chestnut Street, Suite 530 in Louisville. Call them at 502-561-3001.

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Between the Lines LOUISVILLE BOOK FESTIVAL IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST PAGE-TURNERS Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

If you’re a book lover, you probably can’t Wait. What? There is a book festival in our wait to visit the library or peruse the shelves fair city? Indeed there is. at your nearest bookstore. You may also Natural Stone Artisans secretly enjoy not just the stories within the Before you mark down dates on your pages, but also the smell they give off, or the calendar, let’s get some background on this delicate crack of the spine when you open festival’s history. it up. You may be in a book club and dutiful about finishing the book each month. You may have a to-be-read count that numbers into the high hundreds or even thousands.

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Deedee Cummings, Louisville Book Festival Founder

Louisville Book Festival Founder Deedee Cummings is a bit of a renaissance woman.

She’s an attorney, a therapist, and a children’s picture-book author. She began her career in child protective services and attended law school at night, but by the time she graduated, she realized she wanted to problem solve in a different way, outside the legal system.

to discuss difficult things. Books often helped children relax and opened up their lines of communication. It was then that Cummings noticed how few of the book Kitchen Countertops characters looked like the children she was TubShe Surrounds trying to help. searched high and low, and couldn’t find what she was looking for, Outdoor Kitchens which is when her career as a children’s Vanity Tops picture-book author began.

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Over time, it became increasingly important Furniture Tops to Cummings that kids develop better reading skills and have greater access to books. In 2018 she founded the Louisville Book Festival, whose mission is to promote reading, writing and literacy. Of course, getting a book festival off the ground takes a lot of work, but Cummings and her team

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were ready to launch in the fall of 2020.

We all know what happened in 2020.

COVID-19 forced her to move the inaugural Louisville Book Festival online.

Despite this setback, the turnout was larger than expected, at over 1,000 people. The festival featured both Kentucky favorites like George Ella Lyon and Hannah Drake, as well as writers from beyond the state borders, including Tomi Adeyemi, the bestselling author of “Children of Blood and Bone.” Cummings considered canceling the event, but says “it seemed it was more needed than ever. It was about community.”

She was bothered by the ugliness she was seeing in people, such as arguments over masks and the unjust deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. “It was important for me to move forward in some way because books build empathy,” she says. “We needed a community that came together in a positive space to talk about hopeful things. As vaccines were developed,

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Cummings and her team were optimistic that 2021 could be an in-person experience.

But as summer turned to fall in 2021, the delta variant of COVID-19 reared its ugly head.

“We were moving full speed ahead with an in-person conference,” Cummings says.

“I was determined. This was going to be

the year.”

As COVID rates started to climb higher, Cummings says she “could not in good conscience move forward with an in-person gathering, but I did not easily decide to go online again.” At that point everyone had serious Zoom fatigue from online church, school and work. Despite this, and after much consideration, Cummings

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determined that having the conference felt necessary. “I thought back to 2020 and how important the event was, and I decided to do it, even if we only touched a few people,” she says. “There would be someone who needed this.”

Many in her shoes might have thrown their hands in the air and given up after COVID wreaked havoc on her plans two years in

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with Pete the Cat and Mo Willems’ beloved characters Elephant and Piggie. “We had over 3,000 people attend the festival and we gave away thousands of free books to kids, which was amazing,” Cummings says. “I was one of those kids who did not get a book every time the book fair came to school, and I wanted every child to be able to walk away with at least one book that they could Many Jefferson County Public Schools students attended the Friday sessions, which choose.” gave them the opportunity to meet and discuss books and writing with adults whose This year’s festival will once again be held at the Kentucky International Convention works run the gamut from science fiction Center on Friday, November 10 and to memoirs to poetry. Adult attendees Saturday, November 11, and there is a could also meet and greet authors, as well lot to be excited about. “This year we as purchase their books, with Carmichael’s Bookstore serving as the official bookseller are very hyped about having a New York Times bestselling author from right of the event. There were all kinds of panels here in Louisville, Jermaine Fowler, the and discussions both days, covering topics author of ‘The Humanity Archive,’ which from how to pitch to publishers to writing appropriately underscores the exact message about lived experiences. of the Louisville Book Festival,” Cummings says. “His work is the perfect complement Librarians from the Louisville Free Public to our mission to highlight diverse stories Library held story times for kids, and attendees were able to get their photos taken and amplify all voices, but especially a row, but when Deedee Cummings has a dream, she wants reality to match her vision. So plans were made for 2022 and, fortunately, all the stars aligned. The 2022 Louisville Book Festival was held in person at the Kentucky International Convention Center on October 28 and 29.

marginalized ones.”

Families with children should venture downtown since firefighters, family court judges, and other members of the community will read to kids during story times. There will also be librarians who use books for art projects with children.

Whether a person loves writing, is interested in publishing, wants to promote literacy in the community, or just needs to flip through cool books, they should visit the Louisville Book Festival.

Even though it is a book festival, the event is really about more than books. “Books hold the secrets to who you are as a person, who you want to be, how to prosper, how to save your marriage, and how to survive,” Cummings says. “If books weren’t powerful, there would not have been concerted campaigns throughout all of history to limit your ability to access them.”

For more info, visit louisvillebookfestival.com.

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Where the Heart Is LUKE WALKER RAISES MONEY FOR HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS Writer / Melissa Stalb Photography Provided

At 19 years old, Luke Walker of Louisville knew he was going to join the military.

Just five days from shipping off to basic training, he learned that some of his medical paperwork didn’t pass the acceptance phase, and 21 days after his denial, Walker set off on the road.

“I was going to make a career out of the military and I was just devastated,” he says. "I didn’t know what I was going to do

with my life. I just started traveling. I went to Montana, Colorado, and lived in the Caribbean for a while. I was a whitewater raft guide and learned a little bit about bike touring. I even lived in a tent for some time.”

“A mentor of mine gave me a list of nonprofit military organizations and I researched all of them,” he says. “I wanted to make sure the majority of the money would go directly to veterans.”

Walker decided that if he couldn’t join the brotherhood he had always dreamed of, perhaps he could help them in a different way.

He found an organization called Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) with a mission to build adapted homes for disabled veterans across the U.S.

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“I liked that they have a list of veterans currently waiting on a home,” he says. “I watched a ton of videos and selected one that I related to.”

His plan included cycling from Key West, Florida, up the coast of Maine, and then across the northern portion of the country to Washington. Walker wanted the trip to be as similar to deployment as possible - no hotels, a $15-per-day budget and a lot of physical activity.

“I wanted to raise $50,000, but by the time I got to Michigan I had to see a doctor and was advised to medically drop out of my plan,” Walker says. “I’m at $5,000 right now but the money wasn’t my main goal. It was a personal challenge and more about raising awareness.”

Despite Walker’s setback, HFOT can use any donation and any awareness to support their mission.

In 2004 a general contractor named John Gonsalves offered to build a disabled veteran a home. The veteran denied his offer at first, but eventually said he would accept it on one condition - that Gonsalves didn’t stop with just him.

Today, 361 homes in 45 states have been built, all specially adapted for each individual veteran.

Tom Landwermeyer, president and chief executive officer of Homes for Our Troops, is a retired Army veteran of 33 years. He has seen firsthand the struggles wounded veterans face when they come home.

“These veterans tend to restrict themselves to a certain area of the home they can move around in,” he says. “[In a typical home] it’s not uncommon to have to walk up a couple of steps to the front door. The doors are narrow and the first thing you see is a flight of stairs up to the second floor. You can’t turn into doorways because the angles aren’t

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right. Going to the restroom could actually be dangerous and assistance is needed. They sacrificed their freedom and independence for the rest of us. They shouldn’t continue to fight in their own homes. It should be a place of respite.”

Each HFOT home has a single story, at 4,800 square feet, with four bedrooms and two baths. Luxury vinyl floors and minimal thresholds at the doorways allow for smooth and easy access throughout the house.

Light switches are placed lower and electrical outlets are placed higher than a typical home. Countertops are lowered, and the stovetop and sink are roll-under.

The master bath has a roll-in shower.

“We want our veterans to access the entire home, and have added

things like a roll-in closet in the master bedroom that allows pull-down hangers, and a front-load washer and dryer,” Landwermeyer says.

There are currently more than 40 special applications built inside the home, and HFOT leaders continue to gather feedback and improve upon their next home.

For instance, individuals who have severe burns often have a lot of nerve damage and they can’t always feel water temperature, so showers in every home have a digital thermometer valve for programming temperature.

“Each home has a backup generator that can power the entire home,” Landwermeyer says. “This was a result of a veteran in the Midwest who encountered some storms.

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retrofit and went back to put generators in at home doesn’t take away their injuries. There will be dark times and we can serve as a link every home we’ve built so far.” to the right support in their area.”

It's only one of the ways HFOT is unique.

After handing over the keys, the relationship There are currently 70 projects underway and 100 veterans in the application process. continues to build.

Landwermeyer says there are at least another 1,000 severely wounded that would “It’s not the last you’ve heard of us,” qualify for the program.

Landwermeyer says. “We promised them a quality home and we’ll fix any issues. We HFOT serves veterans injured in post-9/11 need that feedback on the adaptations and war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Individuals we’re constantly upgrading house plans.” are approved through a special adapted housing grant program through Veterans Keeping in touch allows HFOT to learn Affairs (VA). In addition, financial planning all the ways this assistance helps the entire is provided for each family to help as they family. For example, 95% of families report a decrease in stress level. Employment rates move forward, and the staff at HFOT can for caregivers more than double, and for the walk veterans through each step of the process. spouse it nearly triples.

“The most important thing about staying in contact is to help when needed,” Landwermeyer says. “They have those chains taken off, they can accomplish things and do things as a family again, but the

“We have a lady in our office that responds to every message,” Landwermeyer says. “If our program doesn’t fit, she’ll put them in touch with a support organization that can help. We never say, ‘You don’t qualify,

goodbye.’ We also have people that know the VA system incredibly well and help with those steps, so just call us.”

HFOT puts 90 cents of every dollar back into the home and services for the veteran. They don’t pay for advertising, and they depend on business sponsorships, individual donations, and individual fundraisers like Walker’s.

“A few years ago we celebrated our 300th home in St. Louis, and the family had a 4-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy,” Landwermeyer says. "Wayfair donated furniture in honor of our event, and this little girl was sitting on her big four-poster bed with pink and white decorations. One of our staff members asked her what she liked the most, and she said, ‘My dad is going to be able to come in my room and read me a story.’ This is something we can do for the entire family.”

For more information about Homes For Our Troops, visit hfotusa.org.

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NINE WAYS TO HONOR THOSE WHO’VE SERVED THIS VETERANS DAY Story and Photography Provided

VISIT A MEMORIAL OR MILITARY CEMETERY.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MILITARY.

“All gave some. Some gave all.” Technically we celebrate those who gave their all on Memorial Day in May, but Veterans Day is also a fine time to remember those who lost their lives for our country. Visit a local memorial or military cemetery. Find state cemeteries at your state’s Veterans Affairs page, and national ones at cem.va.gov. Place flags or flowers on the graves.

The United States Armed Forces is made up of six branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. You Heather French can explore each branch and even listen Henry, former to the hymns from each service corps on commissioner of Veterans YouTube, Spotify, Pandora or wherever you MAKE A FAMILY CONNECTION. Affairs, a former Miss access music. You can also remember the America, and current ambassador Reserves and National Guard members who Many Americans have served in the military. for Global Game Changers Look at your own family tree to see if you support the military on many missions.

Children’s Education Initiative, Inc., can find a veteran, or identify a close friend shares these nine tips to teach kids how to REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL VETERANS who served. Show your kids a picture of that honor Veterans Day on November 11. person, especially if you have a picture of AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER OR A them in uniform. Investigate the conflict in VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION. HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND WHAT A which they served. You can find all kinds of The federal or state departments of VETERAN IS, AND THE HISTORY OF information about enrollment if you have an Veterans Affairs provide opportunities for ancestry.com account.

VETERANS DAY. learning about, and access to, veterans.

Young children sometimes make the Many communities also feature a Veterans WATCH OR CREATE AN ORAL HISTORY. reasonable assumption when talking Affairs hospital and/or a Veterans Service about vets or veterans around November Organization, like Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oral histories are an important way to 11 that we’re talking about animal doctors. preserve the memories of veterans who have American Legion and Disabled American Help them understand that a veteran is an served our country, and to learn from the Veterans. Reach out to your nearest individual - man or woman - who has served organization and ask how your family can lessons they have to teach us. The Library of in our Armed Forces. You can also ask them support the veterans who use their services. Congress’s Veterans History Project allows to consider why we should honor these you to search oral histories by conflict, Perhaps there are individuals who would people. Once you’ve learned about veterans, enjoy a visit, items you can donate, or branch, type of material and more. If you explore Veterans Day. know a veteran, you can also work to come other work you can do to support these up with questions, and add the story of the organizations. veteran you know to the collection!

30 / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

EXPLORE MILITARY SYMBOLS. Every nation uses symbols to honor its veterans, such as the yellow ribbon in America and the poppy in Great Britain and Canada. During World War II, mothers kept stars in their windows. You can explore the history with your children and enjoy the art, including the poem “In Flanders Fields” and the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.”

HONOR ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS. Reach out to those currently serving overseas and away from their families with a care package or homemade card.

Putting a smile on the faces of future veterans is one way to ensure that we honor them. The Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program sends care packages overseas.

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Even though veterans are top of mind in November, you can work to honor them all year round. A simple thank you to someone who served or is currently serving can go a long way. Global Game Changers has a great lesson on its free-tojoin portal called “Superhero Honor” that focuses on the history of Veterans Day and how kids can honor veterans.

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ABOUT GLOBAL GAME CHANGERS

Global Game Changers Children’s Education Initiative, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing evidencebased leadership development and socialemotional learning programs that empower students to overcome apathy, feel empathy, and foster a sustainable connection to service. To support this mission, the organization offers a free superherothemed curriculum (MY TALENT + MY HEART = MY SUPERPOWER) to schools, parents, after-school programs and summer programs, currently reaching more than 1,000 schools and 250,000 students in 49 Grant Coun states and 13 countries around the world.

Grant Coun The prekindergarten through fifth-grade curriculum is made possible by the David Novak Leadership foundation, whose mission is to make the world a better place Downtown W by developing better leaders at every stageDowntown of life. For more information or to get visitg visitg involved, visit globalgamechangers.org.

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TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / JEFFERSONTOWN MAGAZINE / 33

HOMETOWN HELP ST. JOHN CENTER ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS Writer / Makenna Hall Photography Provided

For one Louisville man, lacking housing for years not only kept him from stability and safety, but also wore down his confidence to speak for himself.

Until he walked into St. John Center, located on Muhammad Ali Boulevard in downtown Louisville, Vaughn Boone felt lost for directions.

St. John Center is the city’s only full-service day shelter for men, providing several programs and services intended to help people without a home receive and sustain stable housing.

Last September Boone sought out the center and started applying for disability.

Without strong reading and writing skills, he was becoming frustrated with the paperwork, until Housing Counselor Nikki Mullins approached him.

“Ms. Nikki Mullins approached me and everything started from there,” he says.

“I felt confident about my next move and what she was going to do for me. I was able to come back and to keep coming back, because she made me feel that they were there for me and they weren’t going to let me down.”

While he was living on the streets, Boone knew he needed help and didn’t want to be in his position anymore.

“I was really on the edge of destruction, giving up, until I came to St. John,” he says.

“I was able to regain my spirit and I was able to reach my confidence level again. I was able to open up and share.”

As a housing counselor, Mullins not only aided Boone as he filed for disability, but she also walked alongside him as he applied for social security and food stamps, was hired on a part-time basis at Goodwill, secured temporary housing and got a Section 8 voucher.

“Working in this type of community atmosphere, you see a lot of hard things, and so with Mr. Boone I’m just really proud,” Mullins says. “I’m here to help. He was the one who made all the effort. It’s a privilege and an honor to see that.”

Last year 235 day-shelter guests of St. John Center moved home, and 74 guests increased their income.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t know what to do,” Boone says. “They were there for me when I needed them most. I’m thankful for St. John, for being on my side.”

The number of people receiving homeless services in Louisville has been increasing since 2019, after a steady decrease between 2008 and 2018, according to Louisville’s Coalition for the Homeless.

Ra’Shann Martin, St. John Center Executive Director

There were 10,640 people in the city seeking homeless services in 2021. Along with the increase in people seeking services, those who reported having one or more disabilities increased by two-thirds.

In an effort to provide housing for the thousands of people in the city without a stable home, St. John Center is developing their first apartment complex with LDG Development. Louisville-based LDG Development is one of the largest affordable-housing companies in the country.

St. John Center Executive Director Ra’Shann Martin says this will be the first single-site supportive housing development of scale in the state.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing a new model of supportive housing here in Louisville, just to show the community and stakeholders what is possible when you invest in housing resources instead of emergency services,” Martin says.

The complex will include 80 one-bedroom units designed specifically for people who

34 / JEFFERSONTOWN MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

have been without housing for a long time.

These individuals who have a complex mix of mental and physical health needs can find it challenging to stay in housing, according to Martin.

resources.

The facility will be staffed 24 hours per day and will provide access to supportive services.

A total of $17.5 million was invested in the facility’s construction from Louisville’s American Rescue Plan fund. LDG Development is also supporting the cost by applying for low-income tax credits, according to Martin.

The location for the apartment was chosen meticulously by the center. Martin says there were certain criteria taken into consideration so that they could house anybody.

“When we decided to do the work, we knew that we wanted to be a landlord to everybody,” Martin says. “We needed to house everybody who needed housing.

There are a lot of restrictions on where people can live based on their backgrounds.”

A spot on Preston Highway was chosen for its vicinity to the bus line, food and medical

Ground breaking is expected this summer, and leaders are hoping to have people moving in by July of 2025.

This project is just one example of the services that St. John Center provides to the Louisville community.

The day shelter and social services center that Boone walked into last September does not only offer the support of housing counselors. It is also a place where people without homes can get fresh coffee, take a hot shower, receive personal mail, take phone calls and access personal products.

“It’s a day-shelter social-service center,” Martin says. “It’s almost like triage. People come to us and we say, ‘What is it that we can help you with?’ Then we get them to those services.”

Before she began working at the center more than a year and a half ago, Martin worked in social services at an agency focused on young-adult development.

Her role included helping young adults succeed by connecting them to services and overcome barriers such as stable housing.

When she was contemplating taking the role at St. John Center, a combination of the center’s values caught her eye.

“I started volunteering before making my decision and I very quickly saw that it is a place I wanted to be,” Martin says. “There’s a lot of beautiful things that happen here, but more than outcomes, it’s really the way that we achieve the outcomes that is so impressive and really aligns with my own personal values.”

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Those values include partnership, diversity, advocacy and volunteering.

Valuing community partnerships is at the core of St. John Center, meaning they are not interested in duplicating services, but instead want to connect people with those that exist and fill in the gaps.

The center partners with Veterans Affairs, Legal Aid Society, Centerstone, and Uniting Partners for Women and Children, among others.

One way St. John Center helps to fill in the gaps is by helping people obtain identification in the form of state IDs, birth certificates and social security cards. The center also advocates for changes in policy, to ensure that obtaining identification is not another barrier to housing.

For those who are able to obtain permanent housing, the center offers supportive

long-term case management and support.

St. John Center provides in-home visits, assistance with job searches and disability benefits, along with life-skills classes and community-building opportunities.

In 2022 the center had 93 people in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, and 98% retained housing for 12 or more months.

The Street Outreach Team is St. John Center’s newest initiative, which was started in 2019 as a part of the community-wide effort to address homelessness, according to Martin.

“The makeup of outreach is to utilize people with lived experiences to go to individuals who are living places not meant for human habitation and to build rapport with them, to build trust,” Martin says. “We really spend a lot of time on relationships because that is what matters.”

After the St. John Center’s team reaches out to people without homes, it connects them with overnight shelters, health care and recovery services, among other resources.

Having the aid of volunteers is the lifeblood of St. John Center and facilitates the ability to fulfill their mission, according to Martin.

Anyone at least 18 years old can volunteer at the center.

Martin says they are always in need of volunteers to help collect, sort and distribute mail, direct people, answer phones, check people in and out of the shower rooms, and hand out hygiene items, among other duties.

St. John Center is located at 700 East Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville. For more info and to sign up to volunteer, call 502-568-6758 or visit stjohncenter.org.

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