News & Events

The young men at Bellewood’s residential campus in Bowling Green have much to brag about — their artwork is now on-display to the public in the gallery of the fellowship hall in The Presbyterian Church.

The gallery which changes each month to display a new portfolio of work from local and regional artists opened Sunday, August 15, with the finer works from the youth at Bellewood.

By funding through a $2,500 grant from Target, the males worked with resident artist, Monica Crawford, for more than a year creating various pieces in a number of media. 

Through Ms. Crawford’s ongoing work, the boys were able to grasp a stronger understanding on the importance of art and self-expression at a time when cultural programs are dwindling in schools across the country.

Located at 1003 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101, the gallery is open to the public 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. – noon on Sunday.  All artwork is for sale at $25, and proceeds go back to Bellewood’s programming.  The gallery will display the art until September 9.

For more information on the display or how to purchase the art, contact Kristy Watt at 270.796.2012 or e-mail her. You can view the art in our photo album on Bellewood’s Facebook page.

Members of the Bowling Green Hot Rods will spend the afternoon with youth at Bellewood Home for Children, a local nonprofit that provides services to struggling young people and families in Kentucky.

Several players will visit the Bellewood campus for lunch on Thursday, August 12 as they meet with the teenage males who are a part of the agency’s residential living facility for youth who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse and neglect. 

In addition to lunch, the players will be sharing stories with the boys about their own struggles and obstacles as well as the importance of education and personal perseverance.

“Helping the community is important to us,” Hot Rods General Manager, Brad Taylor, said.  “We’re happy to give back on a level that can have a positive impact on the lives of these young people who simply seek the guidance, support and love that so many of us take for granted.”

The players will also take photos, answer questions and sign autographs for the young teens.  Part of the idea behind the visit is to inspire the youth at Bellewood to recognize their own strengths in order to set and achieve goals for themselves as teenagers and eventually young adults.  

“All of our kids have been neglected and abused for so long that by the time they come to Bellewood, they’ve lost faith in themselves and sight of any dreams to be a successful adult,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Western Kentucky, Kristy Watt, said.  “Having the Hot Rods come talk to our boys will help remind them that while they haven’t had the fortunes most people have, they still have the tools to achieve what they want in life.”

In conjunction with the visit, Bellewood will be joining the Hot Rods at their home game on Sunday, August 15, at 2 p.m. CT against the Great Lake Loons. 

As a prize to the first 1,000 guests, Bellewood will hand out the Minor League Baseball Association’s annual comic book which brings awareness to nonprofit organizations like Bellewood and ties young audiences closer to charitable agencies.

Additionally, Bellewood will have a corn-hole contest set-up outside the ballpark’s gate. For a $1 entry, people can play for a chance to win a Hot Rods gift package. All the contest participants will win a frosty from Wendy’s, which has been a longtime supporter of Bellewood. 

While at the game, staff will talk to attendees about their upcoming event, BelleWoodstock, a music and song competition for youth in South Central Kentucky as well as what services they offer to young people and families in the area.

“We have a wide range of programs from foster care to mentoring in South Central Kentucky,” Watt said.  “Being a part of community events like the Hot Rods games helps us talk to people who might be interested in learning more about our services.”

Capitalizing on America’s craze for competitive showmanship, Bellewood is launching an exciting event that challenges young bands, musicians and singers in Kentucky to showcase their talents in a competitive setting.  They’re calling the musical extravaganza “BelleWoodstock.”

The fun-filled event takes place Saturday, October 16, at the Capitol Arts Theatre in Bowling Green with country music artist, Clay Underwood, as master of ceremonies. 

“Helping kids and families is at the core of our mission,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Western Kentucky, Kristy Watt, said.  “We wanted to build a fun event that brings the community together, celebrates the creativity of young people and helps increase awareness of our organization.”

The contest is divided into three categories: bands eighth grade and under, bands ninth to 12th grade, and solo artists from first to 12th grade.  Entries are due September 1, and require a sample of music. Once all the submissions are in, Bellewood will select three artists from each category to perform at the event. 

A panel of judges, along with the help of the audience, will critique the performers.  One award will be presented for the top performance in each category, along with honors for best performance overall.  Residing over the ceremony, Clay Underwood will present the grand prize winner with an opportunity to perform at the legendary Blue Bird Café in Nashville.

“I’m very glad to see an organization like Bellewood that does so much for its community step forward and offer young people a chance to showcase their talents,” Underwood said. “It’s important for kids and teens to have an opportunity to explore music, and this event supports that need in a fun, creative way.”

BelleWoodstock welcomes every genre of music and is hopeful the contest will bring an assortment of performers.  Aside from talent, Bellewood needs sponsors and support for its red-carpet event.  Slim Nash, Associate Director of Western Kentucky Operations, is engaging individuals and businesses in the community to get behind the initiative.

“With arts programs being cut from school curriculums, we feel our event will give an opportunity for young people to explore their talents,” Nash said.  “We’re hoping that the community really comes together to support this in what ways it can.”

Visit www.bellewood.org/music for more information.

Bellewood is hosting its annual Back to School Bash on Thursday, August 5, from 5 – 9 p.m.  This event will provide 300 underprivileged youth in Jefferson County with school supplies so they can have a solid start to the academic year.

This year’s bash is supported by the Ronald McDonald House which awarded Bellewood a $2,000 grant for the event, allowing to expand its giving to more youth.  The grant will buy some initial supplies as well as provide food and drink for the evening. 

Donations are needed on nearly every level, and the supplies are inexpensive and easy to purchase.  Bellewood is in-need of the following items in order to provide each youth with a great beginning to school:

• Backpacks
• Crayons
• Colored pencils
• Washable markers
• Folders
• Loose leaf paper
• Composition notebooks
• Glue sticks
• Rounded edge scissors
• Erasers
• Pencils
• Pencil bags
• Notebooks
• Highlighters
• Pencil sharpeners
• Pens
• Dividers
• Rulers
• Tissues
• Pocket calculators

Supplies are needed by JULY 27, and can be dropped off at The Kosair Building at 982 Eastern Parkway, Louisville, KY 40217.  Volunteers are also welcome to help get the supplies ready as well as work the event.  For further questions, call 502.636.1936.

The school on Bellewood’s Louisville campus was one of only 11 alternative education programs in Kentucky to recently receive the esteemed “Best Practice Sites” award which recognizes extraordinary work by the educators and programs for severely at-risk students.

The honor was presented by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and recognizes efforts made in three categories:

1. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
2. Culture, Support and Professional Development
3. Leadership, Resources/Organization and Planning

Bellewood received the award in all three categories, exemplifying the tremendous work and planning the school staff performs in order to bring its youth who face enormous difficulties in the classroom up to a much higher standard.

The school’s lead teacher, Theresa Landenwich, with 30 years’ classroom experience works tirelessly with the students and employees to ensure each child’s needs are met and their goals exceeded.  Her amazing work was recognized last year with the 2008-2009 Outstanding Administrator of the Year award on behalf of state agency schools in Kentucky.

“Every student can be successful,” Landenwich said. “I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t have some positive skills or behavior to build upon.”

Congratulations to our staff and students who have both overcome incredible obstacles to reach such wonderful achievements.

Lexington’s minor league baseball team, The Lexington Legends, is supporting Bellewood at their July 15 game in Applebee’s Park by giving back profits from a portion of ticket sales to Bellewood. 

Bellewood will receive the proceeds from the sales of 100 designated seats for the evening’s game.  Additionally, WTVQ meteorologist and Bellewood mentor,  Jennifer Schack, will be reporting weather live from the stadium and speaking briefly about Bellewood.

“We’re really fortunate to have support from the Legends and people like Jennifer Schack,” Bellewood’s Director of Operations for Central Kentucky, Janine Dewey said. “Having the community rally around our work really helps Bellewood provide better services to youth and families in need.”

The game begins at 7 p.m. EDT in Applebee’s Park located at 207 Legends Lane, Lexington, KY 40505. Tickets are $8 and quantities are limited.  For tickets or more information call 859.294.7080.

The Sundance Film Festival’s best picture winner, “Winter’s Bone,” premieres in Louisville Sunday, June 13, as part of the closing ceremony for Louisville Film Society’s Flyover Film Festival.  Proceeds from the premiere event benefit Bellewood.

Based on the 2006 novel by Daniel Woodrell, “Winter’s Bone” stars Louisville native Jennifer Lawrence, and depicts the struggles of a teenage girl (Lawrence) who fights to keep her family together as she faces incredible obstacles to search for her drug-dealing, fugitive father in southern Missouri. 

Lawrence and the Louisville Film Society collaborated to support Bellewood because of the annual Youth Film Festival it holds as well as the similarities between the storyline of “Winter’s Bone” and the hardships many Bellewood clients face.

The June 13 event at Baxter Avenue Theatre includes 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. screenings with a cocktail reception beginning at 6:30 between the showings.  Lawrence will attend the premiere and speak with attendees about the film after both screenings. Tickets to the premiere and reception are $40. 

To purchase tickets visit Baxter Avenue Theatre, and click the ‘buy tickets’ link under the “Winter’s Bone” movie poster.

Bellewood is proud to have recently appointed five individuals to its board of directors.  After several previous terms ended, Bellewood elected Reed Farley, Paul Wedge, Henrietta Pepper, John Sircy and Rick Cuddihe on board.

Reed Farley

Reed Farley brings a unique presence to the group, as he grew up on our campus in Anchorage, Kentucky, from 1956-1962.  Afterward, he spent 18 years at IBM before he began working at Lexmark in Lexington, Kentucky, where he currently resides.   Now retired as the vice president of sales and marketing from Lexmark, Farley works as a business consultant for Growth Development Associates. 

One of the three founding partners of VisionFirst Eye Center, Paul Wedge was introduced to Bellewood by his father who served on the board of directors from 1997-1999.  Wedge is also on the board of trustees for Kentucky Country Day School. 

Paul Wedge

Henrietta Pepper, president of The Pepper Group, LTD, a brand communications firm, managing brand strategy, development and implementation, brings 23 years’ experience in marketing communications to the board.  Pepper is also a Focus Louisville graduate and a member the 2008 Leadership Louisville Class.

Henrietta Pepper

John Sircy is president of Henry A. Petter Supply Company in Paducah, Kentucky.  Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of the company and president of Petter Business Systems. Before joining Petter, John spent 20 years in commercial banking.

After becoming heavily involved with Bellewood’s mentoring program, Rick Cuddihe joined the board to further support the organization’s mission.  Cuddihe is an employee of Husqvarna, a global leader in outdoor power products for forestry and park maintenance, as well as lawn and garden care.

John Sircy

“I’m very excited and honored that each of these people have chosen to support Bellewood,” president and CEO, Jerry Cantrell said.  ”Each of them has a talent, ambition and passion that excites us, and we are looking forward to seeing them help Bellewood reach some great accomplishments.”

Bellewood’s board of directors consists of 14 individuals.  Each brings an individuality and unique perspective to the group that helps push Bellewood to reach its maximum potential and continually strive to become a better youth and family agency. 

Rick Cuddihe

We look forward to building upon the excitement and vigor of these five to expand Bellewood’s mission and strengthen our services.

BD’s Mongolian Grill in Lexington partnered with Bellewood on April 7 for a night of fundraising, food and fun.  The restaurant which offers Asian cuisine prepared directly in front of its guests donated 10 percent of the evening’s profit to Bellewood.

Included in the festivities were raffle drawings for guests and karaoke.  Additionally, volunteers for Bellewood stood alongside the chefs and helped prepare the food as Bellewood staff mingled with the diners.  It was a fun, engaging way to introduce Bellewood’s mission and work to the Lexington community.

Volunteers Emily Carnahan and Katherine VanHoose work with restaurant staff to prepare the food.

Bellewood volunteer, Cassidy Adkins, was instrumental in putting together the event which raised nearly $1,100 for Bellewood’s branch in Lexington. 

“I’m very pleased with all the volunteer support we had at this event,” Bellewood program manager, Robert Hammons, said. “Everyone enjoyed themselves, and it was a good opportunity for Bellewood to get some community awareness in a fun, casual way.”