3rd Quarter Newsletter (2025)

Published On: October 28, 2025|Categories: Newsletter|

Worship with a Purpose

Ecclesia at Pathways – A Journey of Worship and Purpose

In the fall of 2024, as renovations on all 27 rooms neared completion, our team worked tirelessly to place our newly housed residents into nearby churches. Many of these individuals faced unique legal challenges, making placement difficult. Probation and Parole repeatedly denied church options due to concerns such as proximity to schools, insufficient supervision, and surrounding environments.

As fall came to a close, we began to sense the Lord leading us in a new direction—transforming our outdoor pavilion into an onsite church, rather than reserving it solely for special worship events. Acting in faith, we quickly began reconstructing the pulpit area, adding carpet, a sound system, chairs, and other essentials.

After much prayer, the name became clear: Ecclesia—the Greek word for “church,” meaning the called-out ones. It captured the heart of what we were building.

We held services throughout the remainder of the year until the cold weather forced us indoors for smaller gatherings. By spring 2025, we were back outside, fully operational once again. Ecclesia at Pathways now hosts weekly services every Saturday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring a rotation of pastors, worship leaders, and guests who contribute to powerful, Spirit-led gatherings.

As the colder months approach again, we are preparing to relocate temporarily to a nearby church until winter passes.

TPH Spotlight: LMD of Social Services.

Throughout the years we have been connected to LMDS, not only have we been blessed with grants to do the work before us: but we have been unbelievably blessed with the best liaison any organization could ask for: Latonya Young.

A Day of Heroes and Hopes

The Prisoners Hope Shatters Records on Give for Good Louisville!

The air was buzzing with excitement, capes were flowing, and piano melodies filled the office as The Prisoners Hope celebrated a truly monumental Give for Good Louisville Day! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we are thrilled to announce that we raised an astounding $105,158 including matching funds, shattering all previous records and marking our most successful giving day to date!

This incredible achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of so many. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who opened their hearts and wallets to contribute to our mission. Every single donation, big or small, has a profound impact on the lives of those we serve, offering a beacon of hope where it’s needed most.

A special shout-out goes to our amazing supporters who created compelling promotional videos, sharing their stories and encouraging others to give. Your creativity and dedication truly made a difference!

The day itself was a vibrant testament to the spirit of The Prisoners Hope team. Greg and Glenda played an impromptu piano duet and staff members donned hilarious superhero costumes, bringing laughter and joy to the office, proving that even serious work can be done with a smile and a sense of fun.

STAFF DUNKED AND APPRECIATED

The dedicated mentors and volunteers of The Prisoner’s Hope were celebrated with a lively and appreciative picnic at Pathways to Hope that brought together approximately 85 people for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship. The event, held on September 20th, was a resounding success, offering a well-deserved thank you to those who tirelessly support the organization’s mission.

The atmosphere was festive, fueled by great food—ranging from classic picnic fare to delicious desserts—and the continuous backdrop of uplifting music. Guests mingled, sharing stories and celebrating the successes of the mentoring program.

However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the dunking booth! Gus Castillo and Joann Britt good-naturedly took their turns on the hot seat, giving mentees and fellow volunteers a chance to cool them off with a splash. It was a moment of hilarious camaraderie and a unique way to celebrate the spirit of service.

The celebration included an exciting round of door prizes, sending many guests home with a little something extra to remember the day.

The picnic served as a powerful reminder of the deep commitment of Prisoner’s Hope mentors. Their dedication is the foundation of the organization’s success, and the appreciation picnic was a perfect opportunity to honor their invaluable work in transforming lives and building hope.

TPH Transformed Lives

A Successful Reentry Story: Hitting the Ground Running

At The Prisoner’s Hope (TPH), we are profoundly dedicated to ensuring men and women have a successful reentry into society after incarceration. Our Case Manager, Glenda Wagner, shares that while this work is her passion, the reality of how difficult the transition is for our mentees can’t be overstated.
That’s why we’re so thrilled to share the story of “AP,” a mentee who was just released and immediately hit the ground running!
AP’s success is a testament to the power of community. We want to extend a huge thank you to our ministry partner, Southeast Christian Church (SECC)/Lifebridge. Their partnership is crucial, and their recent help providing AP with essential clothing and toiletries was instrumental in giving them a strong start.
It truly takes a team to transform lives, and we are grateful for partners like SECC/Lifebridge who help us meet the basic physical needs of our mentees as they navigate a new chapter.

A Decade of Hope: Brad’s Story of Transformation

We define success not just by a successful reentry into society, but by the complete, life-altering transformation of the men and women we serve. We recently had the profound joy of celebrating a
monumental milestone with one of our valued mentees, Brad, who celebrated a decade of sobriety and
walking with Jesus on September 25th!
Reflecting on the incredible distance he has traveled, Brad shared a powerful testament to the change that is possible: “10 years feels like a lifetime… When I look back on those times, it’s almost like it’s a story of a different person, it’s not even me.”

SERVING UP MORE THAN COFFEE

Serving Up More Than Coffee: Grounds for Hope Cafe Celebrates Six Months of Ministry

“Serving up hope in every cup” isn’t just a theme; it’s the thriving reality at Grounds for Hope Cafe. We are ecstatic to look back on the incredible journey since our May 1st opening and share how this God-given opportunity in the heart of Anchorage is blossoming.

What began as a blessed, turnkey operation has quickly become a true hub for community connection and purposeful ministry. Just as we planned, running the cafe free of overhead for the space itself has allowed nearly every dollar beyond product and barista wages to flow directly into the Ministry. Your daily latte is doing more than just waking you up; it’s funding faith in action.

A Place for Peace, Purpose, and Pastries

Our manager, Tiffany, and the entire amazing staff have poured their hearts into making 11605 Hazelwood Road a warm and inviting sanctuary. We’ve seen countless Bible study groups gathering, neighbors connecting, and individuals finding a moment of peace on our beloved back deck with its serene creek view.

From our delicious selection of lattes and iced coffees to our freshly baked pastries, we’re thankful for the outpouring of local support. And yes, our pet-friendly policy has made us a favorite stop for four-legged friends and their owners!

Where Your Coffee Dollar Goes: New Initiatives

In the last six months, we have seen several events and new programs:

KIDZ CLUB – An afterschool program for the neighborhood children with games and activities has become a big hit that the “Kidz” really look forward to after a hard day at school.

MIDDLETOWN FAIR – We were blessed to be able to participate in the fair on Sept. 5-6 with Harmony Yoga. It was 2 days of fun with good music, great food and meeting new friends along the way.

MIDDLETOWN BUSINESS EXPO – On October 1st, we joined other businesses in the Middletown community in a meet and greet sponsored by Dave & Busters.

Our prayer and hope remain the same: that we continue to serve and love the Anchorage neighborhood well, while exalting Christ in the workplace.

Grounds for Hope Cafe is located at: 11605 Hazelwood Road. We can’t wait to see you!

www.GroundsForHope.Cafe

SAVE THE DATE

  • Special Speakers
  • Success Stories of Mentees and Families
  • $150 Single Ticket
  • $1000 Reserved Table for 7

Save the Date

DECEMBER 12, 2025

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