Most of us can point to places that shaped our lives. For some, it’s a school. A neighborhood. A church. For Gigi Hildenbrand, the Director of Childcare at Eastern Star, it’s HCM. What began as a college practicum became a lifelong calling: one that has touched generations of families and continues to do so today. Her story is a…
Patrick Fitzgerald has been part of the HYR community since 1976, first as a nine-year-old player and later as a coach for all four of his children. He has served as HYR Director since 2017, leading efforts to expand outreach, strengthen financial sponsorships, and ensure the league reflects the diversity of Louisville. In this reflection marking HYR’s 50th anniversary,…
Lisa Nutt is a certified Tai Chi instructor who came to the practice through her own journey with balance and neurological recovery. She now teaches at Highlands Community Campus, helping students improve stability, coordination, and confidence through mindful movement. Our Playful Tai Chi Community I came to Tai Chi more than twenty years ago out of necessity. I have…
The first thing I noticed was the sunlight. After several days of bitter cold, the weather climbed into the forties and the sky returned with a kind of shy generosity. Families stepped into the stairway with coats unzipped and shoulders relaxing in a way that suggested they had been bracing themselves for days. By 9:00 a.m., the room was…
The following is an excerpt from A Brave and Startling Truth by Dr. Maya Angelou, followed by a reflection from our Executive Director, Troy Burden, which was presented at our annual Thanksgiving Service. We, this people, on a small and lonely planet,traveling through casual spacepast aloof stars and indifferent suns,must learn a brave and startling truth. When we come…
A word from our friend John Anderson (in the barn on the right in the photo below), Meals on Wheels Volunteer & Coordinator Florence is ninety-five and lives alone. When she learned about the proposed federal cuts to Meals on Wheels, she said softly, “I can’t believe they were going to take Meals on Wheels away from us. A…
Steven Michael Carr, Development Director of Highlands Community Ministries, reflects on the success of our most recent Give for Good Louisville campaign. They call me the “Give for Good Guru.” I’ve been participating in Give for Good Louisville since its very first year (when it was called Give Local Louisville). It’s my Super Bowl. And just like with any…
Danah Trammell and Tiffany Murphy reflect on what makes Thanksgiving special and how YOU can be part of spreading that joy. Thanksgiving is a time to gather, to give thanks, and to share what we have. It’s a time filled with memories—for many of us, the smell of sage in the dressing, turkey roasting in the oven, and fresh…
How one staff member found connection, purpose, and peanut butter at HCM’s Senior Center. I didn’t expect to end up at Highlands Community Ministries. I was sitting in my car on my lunch break, feeling burned out and scrolling through job listings when I came across the post for Operations Coordinator. I wasn’t even sure what all it would…
A’mya Simpson is a Master of Science in Social Work student at the University of Louisville. This summer, she joined Highlands Community Ministries as an intern, supporting our Individual & Family Assistance Program, Senior Services, and Food Pantry. Below, she reflects on her time at HCM and the unexpected impact the experience had on her personal and professional journey….
