Backside Learning Center

🚨 KENTUCKY GIVES DAY OPEN FOR DONATIONS NOW TIL TUESDAY AT 11:59PM! 🚨
👉 bit.ly/KyGivesDay_BLC

Tuesday, May 9th—we join hundreds of nonprofits around the state of Kentucky for one common goal. According to the Kentucky Gives Day website, “Kentucky Gives Day brings charities and Kentuckians—near and far—together for a powerful day of action and philanthropy.”

For our Ky Gives campaign this year, we are focusing on raising funds to connect our youth with engaging summer camp experiences. ⛺️🌞

Access to high-quality summer camp experiences is key for ensuring continued year-round growth and positive social development. A combination of nature programming, arts, and educational/literacy support allows young people the opportunity to have fun and participate in experiential learning and tackle summer slide.

Don’t forget, you have until 11:59pm to donate!
👉 bit.ly/KyGivesDay_BLC

📚 English classes are back — and we couldn't be more excited! With the track season in full swing, we're thrilled to be offering English classes again at full scale.

Language is one of the most powerful tools a person can have. For our racetrack community, strong English skills open doors in every direction — communicating confidently with coworkers and supervisors on the job, navigating everyday life with greater ease and independence, and building toward long-term career growth. Whether someone is having their first conversation in English or expanding skills they've been building for years, these classes meet people right where they are.

The track season brings everyone back together, and that energy is the perfect foundation for learning. We're proud to invest in the people who make this industry run — both on and off the track. 🐎

Also, a huge WELCOME BACK to English Teacher Dailey Menendez—who is now working with our students once again after a short hiatus! 🌈

The Backside Learning Center is overjoyed to celebrate the historic victory of Golden Tempo at the 152nd Kentucky Derby!

Trainer DeVaux Racing — a longtime friend and supporter of the BLC (alongside her husband, bloodstock agent David Ingordo) — made history on May 2nd by becoming the first woman trainer of a Kentucky Derby winner.

Watching Golden Tempo surge from last place to an extraordinary come-from-behind victory was nothing short of breathtaking, but knowing that the team behind that champion has shown such generous support for our backside community made the moment even more meaningful. Cherie and David understand firsthand the dedication, hard work, and heart that goes into this sport at every level — from the winner's circle to the barn — and their commitment to the people who make it all possible reflects the very best of the horse racing community.

We are so proud of you, Cherie, and so grateful for your continued support of the Backside Learning Center. Congratulations!

*DISCLAIMER: THIS PHOTO IS A PHOTO OF CHERIE DEVAUX AND VAHVA TAKEN IN 2024. That year, Cherie & David pledged up to $10,000 of their winnings Derby weekend to the Backside Learning Center.*

Also, huge thank you to WDRB for talking to us this morning.

WDRB News

https://www.wdrb.com/backside-learning-center-supports-the-immigrant-community-at-churchill-downs/video_eec192c5-796c-5c0f-bcfb-5a6e3e23523d.html

Backside Learning Center supports the immigrant community at Churchill Downs The immigrant community makes up about 85% of the people on the backside.

Thank you so much, Great Day Live, for featuring us this Thurby morning!

Great Day Live

Backside Learning Center Helps the Families of Backside Workers! To learn more, visit backsidelearningcenter.org

Thank you, BNI Conexion Bilingue!

Huge thank you the Courier Journal for telling the story of our after school program tutoring and enrichment program, "Front Runners."

https://buff.ly/oAgpERh

Interested in volunteering and helping in our Front Runners program? We're looking for volunteers for the fall already, and are hosting our Summer Literacy Camp in July.
Learn more by filling out our volunteer form:
https://buff.ly/PxmAOKG

Backside workers' kids find community, support at afterschool program An afterschool program provides academic support and a safe community for children of Churchill Downs backside workers, many of whom are immigrants.