Ashley & Matt-Building Hope One Rung at a Time

My "why"

My husband Matt and I both grew up in working-class families, and something he said early on when we were dating has stuck with me ever since: "What do you want on your tombstone?" — meaning, what kind of legacy do you actually want to leave?

In 2017–2018, my uncle — a man who had been a successful, capable member of our family and our community — was found living at Wayside Christian Mission in poor health. He was suffering from dementia, wouldn't accept help from our family, and had walked away from the facility that was caring for him. Watching someone I loved lose everything to mental illness, dementia, and addiction changed how I see homelessness. It's not a character flaw. It's how fast any of us could fall if the wrong things happen at the wrong time, without a safety net underneath us.

So when I was asked in the fall of 2025 to join Jacob's Ladder Outreach and lead the Governance Committee — using the HR and organizational skills I've built in my career — I said yes immediately. It felt like a way for Matt and me to start building the legacy we'd talked about, together.

I've lived in Louisville my whole life. This is home. Being part of getting this dream one step closer for my own community means more to me than almost anything else I do outside my day job.

My ask

We found land for Eden Village and purchased it — and now we owe $248,000 to pay it off. Our entire board is fundraising toward this together, and my personal goal is to raise $25,000 of that total. Hitting my goal gets us to the next phase: actually building the community.

Here's exactly how you can help me get there:

• $50 — helps chip away at the balance
• $250 — 1% of my goal
• $1,000 — 4% of my goal; 25 gifts like this and I'm done
• $2,500 — 10% of my goal on its own
• $5,000 — 20% of my goal in a single gift

If 25 people in my life each gave $1,000, I'd hit my full $25,000 goal today. If that's a stretch, any amount moves us closer — and so does sharing this page with someone else who might want in.

Because of this, Louisville can be one step closer to being a city where #NoOneSleepsOutside.

Thank you for reading this far, and thank you for whatever you're able to give.

Jacob’s Ladder Outreach & Eden Village of Louisville

Building Hope One Rung at a Time

The Need

Every night, hundreds of men and women in Louisville have no safe place to sleep. Many live with disabilities, chronic illness, or the lasting effects of trauma that make traditional housing difficult to access. Shelters often cannot meet their unique needs, leaving them vulnerable, isolated, and without a place to call home.

Our Solution

Jacob's Ladder Outreach meets immediate needs by serving weekly hot meals, providing seasonal supplies, and building meaningful relationships with our unhoused neighbors. But we know a meal is only the beginning.

That's why we are building Eden Village of Louisville, a permanent tiny-home community on more than eight acres of land that we have proudly purchased. This community will include 25–40 fully furnished tiny homes, creating a neighborhood where individuals experiencing chronic homelessness can find safety, stability, and belonging.

Each resident will have:

• A permanent, affordable, and dignified home.
• A caring community of neighbors, volunteers, and support staff.
• Access to wraparound services, including healthcare, counseling, workforce development, and other essential resources.

This is more than housing.

It's belonging.

It's healing.

It's hope restored.

Our Progress

We are thrilled to share that Jacob's Ladder Outreach has purchased more than eight acres of land that will become the future home of Eden Village of Louisville.

This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With the property secured, our focus now turns to site development, infrastructure, and building the homes and community spaces that will transform lives for generations to come.

Your Impact

Your generosity will help us prepare the site, install essential infrastructure, construct the community center, and build the first tiny homes where our neighbors can finally come home.

Every gift is an investment in dignity, belonging, and lasting change.

Together, we are Building Hope One Rung at a Time,cr eating a future where every person has a place to call home.

Together, we can make Louisville a city where No One Sleeps Outside.