2025 Gratitude Report
Celebrating Seven Years of Impact & Looking Ahead
Our seventh year brought both exponential growth and increased sustainability as we continued advancing the solid foundation that UP has become known for. From expanding walk-in hours and strengthening services for children and families, to completing the first Summer Family Enrichment Program, we responded to the evolving needs of our community with purpose and persistence.
We received our first federal funding to support rapid rehousing and case management for survivors of domestic violence—an urgent and growing need in our community—and expanded our team intentionally to meet it. We added an Office Manager to help manage our increasing revenue streams, grew a part-time case manager into a full-time role supporting families, and brought on a new case manager dedicated to housing support. These thoughtful, steady investments in staffing reflect the same long-game approach we’ve taken since day one: identify what’s needed and build it to last.
We also deepened our partnerships, supporting Room at the Inn in collaboration with Christ Church Cathedral to provide safe winter shelter, and advocated at the national level in Washington, D.C. for the Women and Families Protection Act, a bold proposal to invest $500 million over five years in solutions for women and families experiencing homelessness.
These gains came during a period of growing instability at the federal level. Uncertain policy direction and the threat of major funding shifts demanded significant time and energy from our team—requiring us to divert resources toward protecting core services at a time when demand has never been higher. Meanwhile, the number of women and families experiencing homelessness in Louisville continues to grow, with slow corresponding increase in shelter beds or affordable housing. These are not distant debates or future risks—these are the urgent needs of our community that our team is faced with on a daily basis.
And yet, we continue to rise to meet this moment. With the fierce dedication of our staff, the guidance of our board, and the generosity of our supporters, UP is not just here—we are expanding, adapting, and doing the work our community requires. The future may be uncertain, but our commitment is stronger than ever. Thank you for standing with us.
Amy Meredith
Co-founder & Executive Director
Who We Are
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Our Mission is to provide day shelter, resources, emotional support, and community connections to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness to address the barriers to housing, so they can leave homelessness for good.
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To ensure houselessness is rare and brief for women and children by providing a safe, empowering space that offers the supportive services and resources needed by women to be self-sufficient. UP provides a safe, reliable, and supportive space that offers comprehensive services
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Our model is to provide shelter and resource options through a partnership of providers, UP for Women and Children is where women, children and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness are empowered to rebuild their lives.
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Dignity: Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and known by name.
Safety: Healing requires safety, not survival.
Empowerment: We don't fix people—we walk beside them and offer hope.
Justice: Justice is our compass. Advocacy is our responsibility.
Collaboration: Uniting partners is more than our name—it's how we build solutions that last.
Growth: We are always learning and evolving with community needs.
Because of you, we’ve been able to expand our reach and deepen our impact in ways we once only dreamed of. Your generosity has allowed us to not only meet the growing needs of our community but to do so with the dignity and compassion that every woman, child, and individual who walks through our doors deserves.
Vital documents are important documents we often take for granted. Assistance acquiring an ID, birth certificate, or Social Security card is also one of the most needed, highly utilized services we offer.
Many community partners refer women for this service, as these documents are necessary to apply for housing, government, benefits, employment, or education.