Tuesday October 14, 2025
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Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville has been awarded additional federal funding to increase efforts to help break the cycle of crime and violence among young adults ages 18-24, by connecting them to training, jobs and education.
The $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will expand the city’s existing Reimage program, targeting an additional 200 young adults who have been involved in the court system. The new grant will fund training to get youth into jobs in key fields including technology, manufacturing, construction and youth development. Participants will also get help with continuing their education, navigating the court system and addressing drug and alcohol issues.
“Connecting with these young people and giving them a second chance is not only the right thing to do, it’s a key part of our strategy for preventing violence and creating safer neighborhoods,” Mayor Fischer said. “Providing rapid training and connecting them to jobs and careers increases their chance for success, while also reducing the odds that they will be further involved in crime and violence.”
Louisville is among five communities receiving grants and joining the national reentry project known as the Compass Rose Collaborative, which is led by FHI 360, an international nonprofit working to improve the health and well-being of people in the United States and around the world. The other communities are Boston, Baltimore, Albany, N.Y., and Southeast Arkansas.
“I’m thrilled to see this federal investment being made here in Louisville to provide at-risk youth and young people involved in the court system with a better shot at improving their lives,” said Congressman John Yarmuth. “The Reimage program’s targeted approach helps lead young people down a path for success through education, job training, and work experience, reducing incidents of crime and violence and promoting a safer Louisville.”
The new funding allows the hiring of four additional Reimage team members, including three Career Pathway Coaches, who will focus on connecting youth to training and jobs in the key business sectors, and providing follow-up and support.
A variety of training will be available to participants. For example, youth interested in manufacturing will be able to join existing classes at the Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center. Those targeting the construction field can enroll in the Kentuckiana Builds program at the Louisville Urban League. In the technology field — the Google IT Support Professional Certificate will prepare young adults for entry level jobs in IT support in about eight months through a combination of online learning and mentoring from a dedicated IT coach.
The social services track will combine internships with participation in a series of professional youth development workshops.
All career pathways will connect with KentuckianaWorks’ existing employer partnerships in manufacturing, construction, technology and youth development.
More than 440 young people have enrolled in Reimage since it began in in September, 2015, and the program has achieved a recidivism rate of less than five percent. Staff with the program do street-level outreach in high-need neighborhoods, including Shawnee, Russell and Park Hill, although eligible youth from all areas of Louisville can participate.
“We appreciate the confidence that FHI 360 has with our record of providing skills and confidence to people of all ages,” said Michael Gritton, executive director of KentuckianaWorks. “I mentor a Reimage participant, and I’ve seen with my own eyes the difference this program can make in the life of a young adult.”
Reimage is a collaboration between KentuckianaWorks and the city’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN).
“Reimage has been a key part of our goal of helping every young person in every neighborhood have every chance to realize their full human potential,” said Rev. Vincent James, who oversees OSHN as the city’s Chief of Community Building. “This new emphasis on workforce training will provide even greater opportunities for success for these youth and their families.”
In addition to recruitment efforts in the targeted neighborhoods, young people are referred to the program by partner agencies including OSHN, Department of Juvenile Justice, Louisville Metro Youth Detention Services, the Louisville Public Defender, Kentucky Youth Career Center, Restorative Justice Louisville and JCPS. Individuals 18 and over who are interested in being a Reimage mentor or any youth interested in joining the program can call (502) 574- 4115 or go to wearekycc.org/reimage.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio announced today that Kevin C. Brown, an attorney with extensive experience with education and administrative law in Kentucky, has been named the district’s general counsel. Brown most recently served as associate commissioner and general counsel for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Brown joins JCPS on November 1 and is the latest hire as part of Dr. Pollio’s restructuring to reflect best practice urban school districts across the country.
“Kevin Brown is a leading expert on education law in this region and the right person to guide our district through legal questions and provide expertise on a variety of matters,” Dr. Pollio said. “His background as associate commissioner and general counsel for KDE will be tremendous for JCPS. With Brown’s addition, we continue to build one of the top school district leadership teams in the country.”
Brown joined KDE in 2004 as staff attorney and assistant general counsel. He transitioned to general counsel in 2008 and associate commissioner two years later. As associate commissioner, Brown managed and supervised various offices and divisions, served as a congressional liaison and as a member of the commissioner of education’s senior leadership team. During his career at KDE, Brown oversaw state processes involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provided legal guidance in support of the requirements of the federal Child and Adult Care Food program, and coordinated the promulgation of administrative regulations for the Kentucky Board of Education. Brown served as Kentucky’s federal liaison for the Council for Chief State School Officers. Before joining KDE, Brown served as an assistant attorney general in the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
“I’m excited to join the leadership team being assembled by Dr. Pollio and the board,” Brown said. “What’s clear is that Superintendent Pollio is serious about transforming education in our largest school district. I look forward to playing a role in that transformation by supporting the district through legal guidance and counsel.”
Brown graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2001 and received a bachelor’s degree from Transylvania University. He is a member of the National Council of State Education Attorneys and the Kentucky State Government Bar Association.
The creation of the general counsel position was among the recommendations from the Council of the Great City Schools’ organizational review of JCPS. Dr. Pollio called for the review to improve the district’s organizational coherence.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
The holidays are just around the corner and before long everyone will be out shopping and getting the decorations ready for another festive season. But it’s also the time when crime is on the rise and the potential exists for fire hazards if you don’t know how to protect yourself.
The next South Central Regional Forum will focus on how you can make the holidays safe with help from the Louisville Metro Police’s Seventh Division and the Okolona Fire Department.
“This forum will be a reminder for everyone of what you need to be aware of when you are shopping for holiday gifts,” says Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24). “The hustle and bustle of the season can be a time when we forget about the safety.”
The forum is set for October 17th at the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Russ Miller and Dale Gallagher, Resources Officers with the LMPD Seventh Division, will make presentations on staying safe for the holidays. The Okolona Fire Department will talk about how to keep the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations safe and prevent fire hazards. All questions will be answered.
As always, Code Enforcement Officers will be on hand to answer property maintenance questions.
The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council Members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
For the very first time, two people were selected to receive the annual Joan Riehm Memorial Environmental Leadership Award—and both recipients are connected to Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and Fern Creek High School.
Fern Creek teacher Lauren Neimann and Fern Creek Class of 2018 graduate Jack Leppert were presented with the award on October 11 during a ceremony at the school. The annual award honors public service employees, volunteers or students who have gone to great lengths to make Louisville a clean, green and healthier place to live, work and play.
Leppert earned the award for a project he designed to renovate the school’s senior courtyard. The renovation included green infrastructure and storm water mitigation as well as a space where students could spend time and relax. He received a $5,000 grant from the Partnership for a Green City and worked throughout the summer to see his project come to life.
“Jack Leppert is a perfect recipient of the Joan Riehm Award because he took the passion he gained from his teacher and literally became the change he wanted to see at Fern Creek High School,” said Dr. Glenn Baete, JCPS assistant superintendent of high schools.
Neimann, his teacher, also earned the award for guiding the project through the necessary steps like building modifications, budgets, and consultations with landscape designers. JCPS leaders say Neimann’s courses prepare students to leave Fern Creek well-equipped to enter sustainability degree programs in college.
“She is that incomparable teacher we remember from our own school days and the teacher we hope our children experience,” Dr. Baete said. “Her love of teaching, motivational methods, and passion for students are inspirational to those who come in contact with her as well as her community at Fern Creek High.”
The Joan Riehm Memorial Environmental Leadership Award was created after Riehm’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Riehm became the first female deputy mayor for the city of Louisville in 1985. She left government 10 years later to serve as a consultant specializing in public issues management and communication, but returned to city government in 2002 to co-chair the merger transition team.
Riehm later initiated Metro government’s inclusion in the Partnership for a Green City, a collaborative effort to improve sustainability internally and in the community by four of Louisville’s largest public entities: Louisville Metro Government, University of Louisville (UofL), JCPS, and Jefferson Community & Technical College.
Thousands of students and teachers at five middle schools in the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District began receiving their very own, brand new iPads complete with a monthly data plan on October 9 as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning rollout. The initiative represents a multi-million dollar investment by Verizon in JCPS to bolster technology-infused curricula for underserved students.
As part of the initiative, every student in the five schools—Olmsted Academy North, W.E.B. DuBois Academy, the Academy @ Shawnee, Lassiter and Newburg middle schools—as well as every teacher at those schools will receive a new iPad equipped with a data plan for two years. Additionally, the schools received funding to help support a full-time instructional coach and professional development for all teachers and staff, as well as ongoing project planning and implementation support. More than 3,400 iPads will be distributed as part of the initiative in JCPS.
“Strengthening access to technology for students is critical—and our partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning is helping do that in a big way,” JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio said. “This partnership helps ensure classrooms are integrated with the latest technology, teachers have relevant and professional coaching and assistance, and most importantly, our students are equipped with the latest devices to learn on and reach their full potential.”
At Newburg Middle School, where students and their parents filed in and out of the school’s gym throughout the day on Tuesday, each student received and learned how to safely and responsibly use their iPad. The device will be the personal property of the student to use throughout the school year.
The initiative in JCPS runs through the 2019-20 school year.
Marland Cole, a veteran Louisville business leader with a history of civic service, has been named to lead a new organization that is building on the work of 55,000 Degrees and Mayor Greg Fischer’s Cradle to Career framework to better align community resources to ensure that every child in Louisville is prepared for college, career and a successful, productive life.
The organization, being referred to as Cradle to Career/Louisville Promise until completion of a branding effort, will implement the Say Yes to Education theory of action to work across the community to ensure every child has the caring, belief, access and supports they need inside and outside of school to succeed in life.
Cradle to Career/Louisville Promise has evolved based on the learnings of 55,000 Degrees, which was founded in 2010 as both a movement and a backbone organization working to raise education attainment in Louisville. Organizers include leaders of 55K, the Mayor’s office, Jefferson County Public Schools, Metro United Way, James Graham Brown Foundation, CE&S Foundation and many other community partners.
“We are fostering an unprecedented partnership among public and private agencies to work together and work smarter to deliver the support students need to be successful and independent,” said Mary Gwen Wheeler, executive director of 55K Degrees.
This effort is being built on three components designed to support every child in our community, from birth to a successful career and life:
Comprehensive wrap-around services and opportunities that students need to be ready for and succeed in college.
Collaborative governance, including joint fiscal planning, with a strategic approach to data transparency.
A scholarship that provides hope to all students that college is for them.
Audwin Helton, the organization’s board chairman, said Cole, who begins work on Oct. 15, was chosen because of her proven leadership skills and collaborative vision.
“This effort is about saying to our children, ‘Our arms are around you, and here’s what we’re going to do to make sure you are successful,” Helton said. “I am thrilled to have Marland as our leader for this major community effort.”
Cole has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of Governance, Fund Development, Community Relations and Communications/Public Relations. She has spent the majority of her professional career in healthcare, serving in leadership roles at Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s Healthcare (now KentuckyOne), Hosparus and Baptist Health. At Baptist, she served as Assistant Vice President for Governance and Board support.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of a movement that strives to remove systemic barriers of poverty through education,” Cole said. “With the continued support and commitment of our many partners and this community, these efforts will bring positive, transformational change for Louisville and its residents.”
Prior to joining Baptist, Cole served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Simmons College of Kentucky. In addition to her professional career, she has been an active community volunteer, serving in leadership roles with non-profit/civic organizations including Metro United Way, YMCA of Greater Louisville, the Lincoln Foundation, Maryhurst, Metro Bank and the Leadership Louisville Center. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville and an MBA from Bellarmine University. A native of Bardstown, she and her husband Bryan have one daughter.
Mayor Fischer, who launched Cradle to Career in 2014 to build on the goals of 55K by focusing on helping our children from birth and early childhood to college and career, said this initiative is a major focus of his administration.
“One of the main challenges that came out of 55K and Cradle to Career is the need to organize and better align community resources to mitigate barriers caused by poverty, the lingering effects of historic racism, and the rising cost of college,” the Mayor said. “We recognized that we needed to go deeper by looking at the integration of education, workforce, social service and health interventions for students so that we can provide the wrap-around supports they need to be successful, and the confidence that they can continue their education after high school. That’s what this next step is all about.”
Leaders of the new organization have developed a partnership with the Weiss Institute, the technical assistance arm of Say Yes to Education, to begin creating this initiative to provide comprehensive wrap-around supports and opportunities to students, along with a hope-giving college promise scholarship. This work is also about working to build the more skilled workforce that businesses need to grow and invest in our community.
“I’m committed as superintendent to doing all I can to help break down the barriers that prevent some of our students from attending college and earning a degree,” Superintendent Pollio said. “This is a transformative, collaborative initiative that will create new opportunities and wrap around services for all students. In JCPS, we know that improving educational outcomes is critical—and we’re excited to partner with the city in this work to help students reach even greater levels of success.”
More details about the new organization will be unveiled in early 2019. In the meantime, Cole will work closely with Helton and other organization leaders and the community to set up a new 501c3 organization that will continue to drive this work forward.
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners have organized three family-friendly events for Halloween as well as several valuable services and resources in October including a “Freedom from Smoking” series, an outreach by Medicare/Medicaid plan representatives, the next edition in the “Addiction 101” series and much more. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Beginning Oct. 3, Freedom from Smoking Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register or for more information. Join this weekly group on Wednesdays for seven weeks to get the guidance needed to be free from smoking. Support will be provided on stress management, creating a personal plan and avoiding weight gain. All classes are free. Sponsored by the Family Health Centers.
Oct 4 and 8, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities
Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
- Oct. 4 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more info.
- Oct. 8 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info.
Oct. 4, 10 and 18, Passport Health Care Community Engagement
Passport members are invited to join with representatives from Passport Health Care for one-on-one consultations to discuss plan benefits and options. This is a great opportunity as Passport aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the Passport Health Plan mission. Passport members will receive a $10 retail gift card for attending.
- Oct. 4, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 12 – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info. Oct. 10 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 485-6710 for more info.
- Oct. 18, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m. Call 1-800-578-0603, ext. 8428 to sign up.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
Oct 9, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 9, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Call 363-1483 for more information. Classes are open to anyone interested in gaining more knowledge to live a better and more fulfilling life. Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight. This month a representative from the Fairdale Branch Library will be on hand to highlight various experiences the library has to offer.
Oct. 10, “Addiction 101: Family Focused – A Path to Healing” at St. Ann’s Center, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located at 1515 Alonquin Pkwy. Call Nannette Dix at 634-6057 for more information. Part of the “Addiction 101” series, this day-long forum will explore the effect that drug and alcohol abuse and addictions have on families. This event is designed to help loved ones understand the behaviors of their family member dealing with addiction in a way that allows them to support the individual in recovery and learn about their own need for change. The event is free and open to the public and will feature an opening by Mayor Fischer.
Oct. 11 – Nov. 15, Living Well Workshop at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. If you or someone you know has diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression or other ongoing health problems, this program offers free support and manage your health. Earn an 8-week YMCA membership just for attending. Sponsored by Family Health Centers and the YMCA.
Oct 11, 23 and 24, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Oct 11, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3pm
- Oct. 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- Oct. 24, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p. m.
Oct. 16 and 30, Passport Health Plan Informational Sessions at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1:30 p.m. or 2 – 3:30 p.m. both days (4 sessions total)
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call Leesa Mitchell at 502-212-6677 to RSVP or for more information. These informational sessions will introduce changes to Passport Health Plan’s 2019 Medicaid coverage and provide current information on the roll-out of Kentucky HEALTH.
Oct. 18, Free Blood Pressure Screenings at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 12 – 2 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure screenings and health information.
Oct. 18, Low-cost internet outreach and sign-up event at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3 – 5 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion team will be on hand to share information about low-cost internet plans in our community and to help sign-up qualifying households.
Oct. 22, Diabetes Education Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 502-772-8588 to sign up. This information session is provided monthly to assist in learning the latest information on managing diabetes including healthy eating, developing an active lifestyle, taking medications and reducing health risks. Sponsored by Family Health Centers.
Oct. 25, Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans at Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 9 – 10 a.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, Ste 200. Call 574-6638 for more information. Licensed Sales Agent for Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans will be available to provide resources and answer questions in our lobby. Contact info for representative present at the event is Mary Catlett, 850-624-9040 or mhih76@yahoo.com.
Oct 25, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street; on the Market Street side of the Academy at Shawnee. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 25, Trunk or Treat located at the DuValle Education Center, 5:30 -7 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. This annual Halloween event provides a safe and fun environment for the entire family with trick or treating in a line-up of vehicles with trunks full of goodies for children up to 12 years old. Family-friendly costumes and trunk decorations are encouraged.
Oct. 29, Medicare Hub/United HealthCare at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 2 – 3 p.m.
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call 485-6810 for more information. Representatives for Medicare Hub and United HealthCare will be available to provide resources and answer questions about Medicare enrollment for 2019. Note that Medicare is for seniors 65+ and permanently disabled persons only.
Oct. 29, Trunk or Treat Halloween Health and Safety Fair at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. Join the Second Annual Trunk or Treat and Health Fair guaranteed to surprise and delight kids of all ages. Free health related items, candy, movies, treats and games. Dress in your favorite costume and join the fun.
Oct. 31, Monsters, Inc. Movie Night at New Birth Church, starts at 6 p.m.
Located at 3301 Linda Ln. Call 775-5388 for more information. Cane Run Neighborhood Place’s Community Council is teaming up with New Birth Church for a night of food, fun, information, and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. on a giant inflatable screen. All activities are free. Feel free to wear a costume. In event of rain or cold, all activities will move indoors.
