But it’s what’s on the horizon for HCM that is getting everybody excited: the creation of HCM’s new campus at Christ Evangelical United Church of Christ. The buildings, on the corner of Breckinridge Street and Barret Avenue, were generously donated to HCM by Christ Evangelical’s congregation. Once all the paperwork is complete, HCM will begin moving its offices and some of its programs into the church’s community building.
Burden says there’s a lot happening with HCM. “We did strategic planning with our board of directors about a year-and-a-half ago and identified areas that we wanted to build,” he says. “We also identified areas that we want to maintain and grow. We’re just working toward those ends.”
Masterson is dreaming of what the new campus facility will mean for seniors. “The plan is to open up another senior center for a couple days a week and offer activities there,” she says. “I threw it out there that we could have evening classes for the younger seniors – such as zumba, tai chi and ballroom dancing – but nothing definite just yet.”
For now, “younger seniors” and anyone else who is interested can take various classes at locations across the Highlands. Douglass Boulevard Christian Church offers a watercolor class every Tuesday evening, and yoga classes are offered at several churches, including Strathmoor Presbyterian on Hawthorne Avenue and St. Andrews Episcopal on Woodbourne Avenue. Class information and schedules can be found on HCM’s website, www.hcmlouisville.org.
The ministries also have a recreational sports program – Highlands Youth Recreation – which hosts soccer, baseball, t-ball and softball leagues. The unique aspect of the program is that it focuses more on team building and just having some good ol’ fun.
The sports program and most of HCM’s community-wide classes are fee-based, as are the three day care centers that they operate. The ministries’ annual budget of $28 million covers most services, 92 employees and a mission to keep residents from “falling into the cracks.” But HCM wouldn’t thrive without the community’s generosity, government grants and support from member churches.
“It’s challenging, because two of our programs are completely dependent on grants and charitable giving,” Burden says. “For our other programs, we like to honor the tradition of being a ministry, so we try to keep our day care ... fees within affordability so we’re not going to be the most expensive child care center in town. We’re going to be a value so that families can use the day care in their neighborhood and be able to work.”
HCM also has three major fundraising campaigns to help offset costs. In addition to a yearly direct mail letter, HCM sponsors the Highlands Cup, a 5k run/walk, and Empty Bowls, a soup dinner and pottery sale. Both events are part of Week in the Highlands, a series of community events that happen in early October each year.
Burden says the 5K, which takes place this year on Saturday, Oct. 5, usually brings in about $15,000. Roughly 400 runners and walkers make the loop from Douglass Boulevard Christian Church to scenic Big Rock in Cherokee Park and back. Burden says the race hasn’t been bringing in as much money as in the past due to other races being held the same weekend. But he’s not giving up. The race committee is looking at ways to make the race more competitive – and more successful for HCM.
The other fundraiser, and perhaps the more popular, is Empty Bowls. The event takes place at Bellarmine University, Thursday, Oct. 10. This is the 17th year for the dinner, which relies solely on the generosity of local artists and businesses. Potters donate more than 200 bowls and area restaurants provide various soups. Proceeds from the event are distributed to HCM’s food and nutrition programs.
“You can either just buy soup or you can buy an empty bowl, but the thought is, there are many people who go without. It’s really about hunger awareness,” says Burden. In addition to the bowls and soups, Highlands businesses donate items to be used in a silent auction.
Event Chair David Gibson, vice president of HCM’s board, says it’s more than just a fundraiser. About 350 people attended the 2012 event. Some come for the fellowship. Some come for the gourmet soups made by area chefs. “We can’t do it without the chefs,” Gibson says. “Last year we had tortilla soup, butternut squash soup, black bean chili, white bean soup and, yes, plain ol’ vegetable, chicken noodle and regular bean soup and corn chowder.”
Then there are those Gibson likes to call “potter groupies,” who have collected bowls from every year the dinner has taken place.
Whatever the reason people participate, HCM officials appreciate community members donating their time or money, allowing the ministry to continue assisting those who need the help — or just a bit of company.
For Officer, who lost one of her six children to cancer some years ago, the chance to get out of the house is vital. “It was a lot of help when my son passed,” she says. “I was so glad, because if I was at home and if I didn’t come back here, it would seem like the house was closing in. I had to get out of there. If I didn’t have this, I probably would’ve gotten a little crazy for a while.”
Contact the writer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .