Reverend Tim Moseley knows no bounds when it comes to spreading the news about how Kentuckiana residents help give Wayside Christian Mission's homeless neighbors a hand up, not a hand out.
posted by Tim Moseley at 1:02 PM
Last fall, the University of Louisville's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and the Office of Community Engagement partnered with Wayside Christian Mission in an effort to strengthen family skills and parenting strategies. The Resilient Families Project's Co-Director Dr. Lora Haynes explained, "We are working with families and children to promote the excitement and adventure of reading and family story time. Our programs emphasize warm, responsive care giving and pro-social behaviors in an interactive environment to promote community involvement and school readiness." Meeting once a week at Hotel Louisville, families in the care of Wayside Christian Mission attended classes designed to enhance parenting skills and learning development. Recently, program directors Dr. Barbara Burns and Dr. Lora Haynes hosted a graduation event for the parents who participated in the Resilient Families Program. So what had the parents learned? New parenting skills include disciplining without anger, learning better communication techniques, keeping children happy through positive affirmation, understanding a child's way of thinking, and enhanced family support. One young mother said she had learned how to manage her children without losing her composure. Another mom expects to regain custody of her child thanks to the new parenting skills she gained from the classroom exercises taught by Drs. Burns and Haynes and their graduate level students. There were very few dry eyes as moms and dads marched through the graduation line. Wayside Christian Mission is grateful to the faculty and students from the University of Louisville for their investment of time, energy, and knowledge. Much was put into the preparation of these weekly classroom events, but dividends such as stronger families and happier children are well worth the efforts!
posted by Tim Moseley at 1:01 PM
Ms. Smithy's occupational therapy students developed a series of memorable learning presentations developed for those who staff the hotel. Presentations in quality customer service, cleanliness, and effective communicating were all on the menu! Best of all, the students leading these classes were properly prepared and well rehearsed! According to the Wayside clients, these five learning experiences were definitely "two thumbs up." Pamela Smithy and her students are further proof that Jefferson Community and Technical College reaches out beyond their campus in serving the community at large! From the teachings of Jesus, we learn that neighbors are those in need. Our friends at JCTC understand the needs of Louisville's homeless population and are working to make life better for everyone!
posted by Tim Moseley at 6:40 PM
Enhancing the quality of life while making Louisville a more compassionate city is the focus of Mayor Greg Fischer's Give A Day Week. The concept is simple: anyone can give something or do something that will make Louisville a better community for all. According to Mayor Fischer, "Whether you give an hour or a day, donate a canned good, give blood, volunteer at a local non-profit agency or simply do a good deed for a neighbor, you can make a difference and help set a record for caring. We want people challenging each other: 'What are you doing for Give A Day week?' How will you make Louisville an even more compassionate city?" Wayside Christian Mission was honored by Mayor Fischer who spent a Tuesday morning reading to children and serving lunch at the Mission's child care center. It is obvious by the photo that the mayor and the boys and girls were enjoying each others' company! And here is a lesson for all of us: if Louisville's busy mayor can make time to lend a hand at Wayside Christian Mission, surely the rest of us can give of our time, talents, and resources, too!
Often, we have over six hundred women, men, and children in our care. We serve two thousand or more nourishing meals each day. We offer educational opportunities, vocational training, and a faith-based sober living program to those in our care. We do all this and much more on very few tax dollars. In truth, we depend upon the goodwill of volunteers and donors just like you--not government money! You can help. By contacting our helpful volunteer coordinators, you can join Mayor Fischer in making Louisville a better place for all--even those who have no homes of their own! Mayor Fischer's visit was an endorsement affirming the work we do at Wayside Christian Mission! Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for spending quality time with us; no doubt, others will follow your example by joining our fight against homelessness!
posted by Tim Moseley at 4:06 PM
posted by Tim Moseley at 3:29 PM
Fundraiser, motivational teacher, writer, and retired business executive Ron Clark knows the value hard work, a positive attitude, and an unwavering faith in God! His latest projects include a new book, a film, and a reality-based television show focusing on "creating jobs, fulfilling dreams, and dealing with disasters." Ron Clark, who heads a nonprofit organization called Last Responders, recently spoke to a group of Wayside Christian Mission resident clients while working with the disaster relief efforts in southern Indiana. An engaging speaker whose message has been heard around the country, Clark challenged his audience to set aside negativity while working to improve their lives and the lives of others! After his presentation, resident clients responded favorably with praise and cheers and plenty of hand clapping. Even though Ron is not a native of Louisville, his presentation was motivated by Mayor Fischer's Give A Day appeal. We are truly grateful to Ron Clark for his stirring message of hope and renewal!
posted by Tim Moseley at 11:45 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Louisville, Kentucky, April 13, 2012 – Wayside Christian Mission's Wayside Expressions Gallery will feature oil paintings by Linda J. Nelson during the month of May. The name of the exhibition is "Fanfare of Horses."
The opening reception will be on First Friday, May 4, 2012, from 5 PM to 9 PM. The gallery is located on the first floor of Hotel Louisville, 120 West Broadway Street, Louisville, Kentucky. There is a second reception on the Third Sunday, May 20, 2012, from 2 to 4 PM. The exhibition runs from, May 3 to May 29, 2012.
The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. The gallery can be opened by appointment by e-mailing Randy Webber or Elmer Lucille Allen.
This event is free and open to the public.
posted by Tim Moseley at 8:43 PM
The University of Louisville's Ideas to Action (i2a) initiative promotes critical thinking skills among students; in other words, the university is seeking to teach students how to think rather than what to think. According to a recent press release, the university "has chosen for its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to focus on improving the critical thinking skills of undergraduate students and to more effectively prepare them to contribute to society. The focus of this initiative will be to foster critical thinking as a habit of mind. Our goal is to provide an education that is centered on a student's ability to bring together skills and knowledge from a variety of disciplines to solve complex problems. This plan acknowledges that the development and application of critical thinking is an 'intellectually disciplined process' rather than one that occurs by chance or happenstance."
Wayside Christian Mission is partnering with the University of Louisville in promoting the i2a initiative. Recently, Rev. Tim Moseley, case manager Mark Miller, and Chaplain Michael Blunk attended an i2a forum as guests of the university's Dr. Edna Ross. Dr. Ross has been a tireless Wayside Christian Mission supporter whose ideas and efforts have been instrumental in the bringing of critical thinking techniques and applications to the mission's resident clients.
After the forum, Executive Director Patty Payette, Ph.D., sent the following email to Rev. Moseley: "Thank you very much for taking your time and energy to come to our i2a Task Group meeting yesterday to share your experiences and inspiring work with faculty, students and your clients and staff. The projects that you are guiding to fruition—and supporting our faculty, staff and students in doing—are a perfect blend of the i2a commitment to critical thinking and to community engagement.
"I'm especially grateful with how you yourselves have embraced the framework and the potential of critical thinking (and technology) to serve your mission. Your work is truly a national model for innovations on a number of fronts. I am also grateful for Edna's guidance and energy that have been the bridge to bringing this all together. I'd like to see your work highlighted on the i2a homepage and the Alumni magazine and I hope Edna can work with me to make this happen.
"I love seeing the videos—keep them coming ! They are an amazing blend of humor, engagement, critical thinking concepts and everyday application! So impressive. Again, thank you for your ongoing commitment to working with us in service to your mission in our community! I'm so pleased to be able to call you i2a innovators."
Irrational thinking leads to irrational behavior. Many of the women and men in our care are with us because of poor decisions based upon faulty reasoning. By teaching our resident clients how to think rationally and logically, we can enhance their future prospects for happier, more productive lives. Wayside Christian Mission and the University of Louisville are mutual partners in the eradication of ignorance and want.
posted by Tim Moseley at 7:57 AM
Once again, Annette Rivera, a former resident client and employee of Labor Ready, has been instrumental in raising funds for Wayside Christian Mission. Recently, she and Mr. Eric Lynn presented Rev. Tim Moseley with a generous $1,000 check at the Mission's Hotel Louisville. But giving is nothing new for Annette. Last year, she delivered a donation from Labor Ready to Tim and Nina Moseley. As she had previously stated, she finds great joy in giving back to the ministry that her helped her along the road to recovery. Mending broken lives is our mission. Annette is living proof that Wayside Christian Mission's holistic approach is changing lives for the better. We are grateful Annette Rivera, Eric Lynn, Labor Ready, and its employees for their financial generosity!
posted by Tim Moseley at 3:26 PM
