News & Events

If you’re looking for a way to give to someone less fortunate this holiday season, we’ve got some ideas for you.  While you’re out shopping for your loved ones, you can pick up a few items for the young people at Bellewood who wouldn’t have a very merry Christmas if it weren’t for your generosity.

Below is a list of items you can give to us so our kids have a better, brighter Christmas.  Please mail or drop-off your unwrapped gifts by Dec. 19 to the location nearest you. 

• Arts and crafts supplies
• Board games
• Books for all ages
• Clothing for males and females, all ages
• Dish sets
• DVD players
• DVDs (PG-13 or under)
• Gas cards
• Gift cards to Target, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble and restaurants
• Gloves, hats and scarves for male and female, all ages
• Helmets, knee and elbow pads for teenage males and females
• Infant care products (diapers, car seats, cribs)
• Kitchen supplies
• Luggage and tote bags
• Pots and pans
• Sports equipment (basketballs, footballs, etc.)
• Televisions
• Winter coats for male and female, all ages

Thank you for your support — we hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Logan Clayton Bohannon, former Bellewood client turned executive director, died November 4, 2010, at 101.

Logan Bohannon 1909-2010

Mr. Bohannon had been an integral part of Bellewood since he arrived to our campus with his siblings in 1923 after their father died of black lung in far Eastern Kentucky.  At a time when many rural schools in the nation were still a one-room structure maintained by a single individual, Bellewood gave its students a well-rounded education at The Anchorage Public School. 

“Mr. Bo,” as he known, had a tremendous sense of pride for the education and skill sets he received at Bellewood, and throughout the rest of his life attributed Bellewood as the catalyst and foundation for his life’s successes.  He stressed the value of education and personal endurance to literally every youth at Bellewood when he returned with his wife, Mary Elizabeth, to work here in the 1948. 

For 32 years Mr. Bo and his wife held a variety of titles at Bellewood, and in 1973, he reached his apex by becoming the executive director.  He retired at age 70 in 1979, but the impact he made and the lives he touched is unwavering and immeasurable.

Mr. Bo brought an incredible sense of care, love and pride to this organization.  He didn’t just believe in Bellewood, he did everything in his power to nurture it, make it grow and more than anything, give every child the means to live as an educated, accomplished adult who possesses self-awareness, confidence and perseverance.

The University of Kentucky’s Center for the Study of Violence Against Children (CSVAC) bestowed honors this weekend to individuals who exemplify progress in the field of childcare services.  Kristy Watt, director of operations at the local nonprofit agency Bellewood Home for Children, was among eight people to receive CSVAC’s Circle of Compassion Award.

The Center is dedicated to the research and enhancement of children and families’ health and well-being through extensive research, education and dissemination of information.  Watt and other recipients were honored Saturday, October 30, in Lexington at the Center’s banquet.

Now in its second year, the awards ceremony publicly honors people in Kentucky who have made significant impacts toward improving the lives of children who have experienced maltreatment or have in some way been deprived of a safe, healthy life.

“I was thrilled to learn I was considered for nomination, let alone actually win,” Watt said.  “To me, this a true honor because the award is coming from individuals in the field who see so many great accomplishments.”

Bellewood treatment coordinator, Tisha Thompson (left), and Kristy Watt attended the CSVAC gala awards banquet in Lexington.

Watt began working for Bellewood in 2007 and has been instrumental in strengthening and expanding the agency’s reach throughout South Central Kentucky and western portions of the commonwealth.

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Watt was responsible for planning and launching the agency’s highly-successful therapeutic foster care program in addition to opening and staffing a new office in Owensboro.  As a result of her tireless efforts, Bellewood now has 65-and growing foster homes in Kentucky, and its independent living program which provides support services to homeless young adults increased its client base five times the number it was when Watt arrived.

Aside from improving the agency’s services, Watt was also noted for her collaboration with local businesses including the Bowling Green Hot Rods and Chandler Property Management, both of which have supported Bellewood and its clients through a variety of offerings.

Other recipients that evening hold backgrounds in higher education, law and child advocacy organizations. 

“We’re very proud and lucky to have Kristy with us,” Bellewood President and CEO, Jerry Cantrell, said.  “She’s helped Bellewood reach incredible accomplishments, and I’m glad to see her efforts being noticed by those in the industry.”

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.