There are many great ministries working throughout Louisville that CrossRoads is proud to partner with. One of our newest partners is Cincinnati-based BLOC Ministries. In 1998 Dwight and Stephanie Young felt called to ministry in the underserved communities of Cincinnati. The ministry has grown significantly since, and the leadership felt called to expand into other underserved urban neighborhoods.
Expanding to Louisville
“There is a soft spot within the organization for the West End of Louisville,” explains the team on the BLOC Louisville website. “Here we will utilize programs already successfully developed by BLOC Cincinnati. These include an afterschool program, teaching kitchen, sports performance gym and a day shelter for trafficked women.” CrossRoads has partnered with BLOC to renovate their newly acquired buildings in the West End.
Louisville field staff Ryan Thomasson explained that we are renovating two buildings, located just a block away from each other. One will become a community center for local teenagers, and the other will house offices and a barber shop. “It is an admirable mission,” praised Louisville staff Dwight Spurrier. “BLOC has highlighted vulnerable areas of our community to help and I’m excited to be part of it in a small way.”
BLOC sums up that mission in the acronym of their name:
Believing in the power of hope (Christ)
Living where we serve (in our community)
One-to-one (relationships and discipleship)
Christ in (in all that we do)
“CrossRoads Missions has been a great asset to BLOC Ministries,” shared Joan Morgan, Director of BLOC Louisville. “Their flexibility and quality workmanship have been outstanding. We now have four buildings in West Louisville all in need of rehab, and CrossRoads has been a blesing for all.”
The Community
CrossRoads shares the desire to build relationships in the communities we serve. Ryan was able to talk to the barber who will run the shop about the impact these centers will make on his own life and the community: “He has struggled in life, and this is his way to get back on his feet. He is very excited to have this ministry in the area. To have a place for kids to go and stay out of trouble and keep them safe.”
Dwight had a similar experience while working on the buildings, “I was able to meet the neighbors and hear how thankful they are for us being there. They are excited to see the building being worked on.” There have even been community members jumping in to serve after talking with the staff and volunteers.
“The community center is on a very populated street with all kinds of people hanging out,” explained Ryan. “We’ve been able to pray with people and talk to them while we are working. It’s a rough area, but we’ve had some great support from the community.” For Ryan this project has been a unique experience. “The community center will serve a lot of kids my age and younger, so that has been very special to me. I get to see the kids riding their bikes down the street and know that this building will be for them.”
Serve with us!
These projects are ongoing, and CrossRoads is excited to continue working with BLOC as they expand their ministry in Louisville! We need your help to continue making an impact:
VOLUNTEER with our Louisville field to work on projects like these
DONATE to BLOC or CrossRoads to help make these projects possible
