Duane Nathaniel Delivery MLK's "I Have a Dream Speech" at Wayside's Hotel Louisville

To a crowd of over 200 Wayside clients and guest, Duane Nathaniel delivered MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. The Mission provides a memorial service each year remembering King's fight for justice. During the past three years the Mission has been fighting for "fair housing" a battle King would likely have championed. In the final months of 2010 the Mission was finally given the right to operated a women and families shelter at 120 West Broadway, Hotel Louisville, after filing a formal HUD complaint against Metro Louisville Government. Through an agreement with HUD, city leaders agreed to support fair housing for the poor of our community. Wayside now operates Hotel Louisville as a shelter (on four housing floors), while offering rooms to the public on four floors. The operation allows for training residents in hospitality and hotel operations, while the social enterprise helps pay the expenses of funding the shelter at the Broadway location.

Rev. Dick Anderson, founder of Wayside Christian Mission, reports that the Mission was the first integrated shelter located south of the Mason-Dixon Line when it incorporated and opened its doors in 1957. Anderson refused to accept start up funding from private donors who wanted him to have an all "white" mission. During a recent visit to Hotel Louiisville, the still active founder reported turning down a donation of $7,000 from a man who didnt agree with his equal housing approach during the late 50's.

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