FCC Supports Tutoring Program in Historic Russell Neighborhood

The Russell Neighborhood, in Louisville, KY was known in the 1940’s “Louisville’s Harlem”. The area had a strong African American business presence along what is now Muhammad Ali Boulevard but the neighborhood began to decline in the 1960’s due to misguided urban renewal efforts that demolished the commercial area along Walnut Street.

Today, with a population of about 9500, Russell is one of nine neighborhoods that make up West Louisville. Once a vibrant, thriving, and economically and racially diverse neighborhood, Russell today is largely an African American area with high levels of poverty and disinvestment.

Though the neighborhood faces significant challenges, change is coming to this area! One of those changes is the development of a new Pre-School Tutoring Service. Just getting this initiative off the ground in the fall of 2019, Delores Butler has already worked to reach low-income families and their children to offer kindergarten readiness tutoring. In addition, the group has worked to engage families in their neighborhood and strengthen parent-child relationships by mowing lawns for seniors and bringing speakers to engage the children in music and art activities.

First Christian Church was pleased to offer a Wholeness Ministry Grant in support of this ministry and is looking forward to seeing the results of the group’s work!

The wholeness grant used to fund this ministry was made possible through your faithful financial support of our church and its ministries and help fund a variety of efforts to make our world a better place.

You can find more examples of those efforts or apply for a grant to make the world a better place by clicking here.