Backside Learning Center

We want to thank Tri-Arrows Aluminum and other supporters for their continued donations! Our backside families are going to love these donations, now we have more activities, prizes and snacks for our fall programs.

As we prepare our Fall programs, we want to remind our community that an easy way to engage with our mission is to check out our wishlist: https://backsidelearningcenter.org/wish-list/

We couldn’t be prouder of our students for completing Breakthrough Louisville this summer!

This morning, we welcomed the Louisville Nature Center to the backside of Churchill Downs for a tour.

Every summer, we love being able to send children of backside employees to camp at the Louisville Nature Center. Experiences like this make it possible for us to fulfill our mission year round.

For the past 6 weeks, we’ve hosted Salud y Nutricion classes to address to address the high rates of diabetes and other nutrition-related health challenges among backstretch workers. These workshop provided participants with practical tools for preparing healthy, affordable meals despite the unique challenges of life on the backside, including long work hours and limited cooking facilities.

We want to give a special thanks to Thoroughbred Charities of America for funding a collaboration between Kentucky State University Extension Office, the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center and the Backside Learning Center which allowed us to provide these nutrition workshops.

Earlier this week, we were happy to welcome the UofL Office of Admissions to the backside of Churchill Downs.

Backside tours are a free way for us to connect to our community and bring awareness to our mission at the Backside Learning Center. If you or your organization is interested in a tour, contact Enidza Torres [email protected]

The BLC Familia is growing! 🌱 We are absolutely thrilled to officially introduce Yai Malavé to our team as our new Community Engagement Coordinator.

She has been on our team for a month now and has been crushing it already! 🎉

Yai was born is Puerto Rico and raised in Los Angeles, California, before moving to Louisville in the late 2001. Her path began in the medical field, but her deep desires to help others quickly evolved into a calling to work directly alongside marginalized communities. With a background spanning from international trade, public health, and most recently, serving as a Parent/Advocate Program Assistant at La Escuelita Learning Hub, Yai brings a diverse cultural and professional perspective shaped by a deep commitment to service.

Help us give her a warm welcome in the comments! 👇

🚨 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.*