Our Mission & Vision

LDC’s mission is to support the unsupported.  In its vision, LDC seeks to:

  1. Partner and collaborate with individuals and organizations in Metro Louisville and beyond.
  2. Promote positive and healthy lifestyles.
  3. Provide programs that will address the challenges and meet the needs of our community.

 

LDC’S VISION IS SEEN THROUGH 5 FOCAL POINTS

  1. PHYSICAL– Focuses on the elements of physical health, eating habits and exercise.
    1. Public Health Initiative
    2. Mental Health Initiative
  2. SOCIAL– Focuses on the elements of bringing neighbors together and fellowship.
    1. Community Outreach and Engagement
  3. INTELLECTUAL– Seeks to support the community through educational and academic outreaches.
    1. Education and Academic Success
  4. POLITICAL– This aims to assist communities with voter registration and connecting the public with issues that impact their communities.
    1. Equity Centered Policies
  5. FINANCIAL– Addresses topics such as employment; job preparation, home ownership, fiscal responsibility, budgeting, banking, etc.
    1. Generational Wealth
    2. Income and Wealth Inequality
      1. Racial Wealth Gap 

Seed Sowing Sunday with LDC every Third Sunday

CONTACT US DIRECTLY

1 (502) 742-1050
[email protected]

Life Development Corporation
324 East Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202

Monica Lee Ridgeway

Executive Director

Monica Lee Ridgeway is the newly appointed Executive Director of Life Development Corporation (LDC) a 501c3. She has served on the advisory board since 2019 as the Resource Development Coordinator and has worked on several Health and Equity Initiatives centering Black and Brown health.

Ms. Ridgeway serves as an Advisory Board Member on the Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center (ECCC) through the Emory Centers for Public Health Training and Technical Assistance at Rollins School of Public Health and Gilead Sciences, Inc. Through this role, she works alongside collaborating organizations: the Southern AIDS Coalition, the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, and Wake Forest School of Divinity to end the HIV epidemic in the south.

Ms. Ridgeway was named one of the 40 for 40 Champions and Trailblazers honored for her work and contribution in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She was recognized and celebrated as one of the 100 Black Advocates in the 2021 POZ Magazine. She was recognized and honored in 2020 for the 50 under 50 Alumni Award, through the Alabama State University Division of Institutional Advancement.

Ms. Ridgeway has served as a speaker, presenter and panelist with national, regional, and state organizations such as: NASTAD, NMAC, National Harm Reduction Coalition, The Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition, the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s HIV/AIDS Division, Kentucky Population Health Institute, Emmaus Ministries Inc., Paducah Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Black Girls Conquer All, and Life Development Corporation, Inc. (LDC).

Ms. Ridgeway is a proud graduate of the Alabama State University, where she attained a Bachelor of Arts in English. She earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University. Monica has certifications in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida (USF).

Ms. Ridgeway is a native of Paducah, KY where she graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School in 2003. For 13 years, she lived in Montgomery, Alabama also known as the “Home of Leaders and Martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement.” In 2016, she decided to relocate back to Kentucky, where she has created and developed programing, policies, in Health and Equity, prevention intervention strategies, and elimination plans for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Opioid Drug Overdoses.

When Monica does not have her hands in advocacy work, you will catch her reading a science fiction novel, traveling, singing, dancing, and serving in her local church in the music and the outreach ministry.

 

LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

School Collaboration

Collaboration with neighborhood schools to provide resources, volunteers, mentorship, and support to school staff, parents,

Every Little Bit Helps

A community-wide Outreach designed to assist Newburg residents in need with everyday commodities (e.g. hygiene products, cleaning supplies, etc).

It’s simple. Take a look at the suggested items to donate: Soap (Body Soap, Body Wash), Shampoo, Deodorant, Hair Combs/Hair Brushes, Lotion, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, and Other Personal Toiletries.

We are currently taking applicants. Sign up today!

Minority Mental Health Initiative

LDC is shifting the mental health culture and breaking down systemic barriers in underserved communities in Metro Louisville and surrounding counties. 

LDC creates community conversations that empower, uplift and elevate historically underrespresented communities in their mental health journeys, while eradicating stigma and elevating Black and Brown communities. 

Need more information on how to connect to a mental health professional?  Sign up today for more information!

JobNow Program

The JobNow Program is a FREE EVENT that offers an opportunity for those in need of employment to connect with local employers with the goal of being hired on the spot! It also provides opportunities for potential employees to receive training on topics such as resume writing, interview, skills and proper work attire. JobNow is currently partnered with 12 employers in the Greater Louisville area (e.g. UPS, Delta Staffing, NPAS, HomeInstead).

"Beat the Heat" Fan Drive

Our “Beat the Heat” Fan Drive Campaign is designed to help deserving families in the Newburg community by donating box fans during the summer. We partner with Walmart Superstores around the Louisville area to supply a pair of fans for each family.

 

Gifts of Life

“Gifts of Life” Toy Drive is an annual event in which LDC partners with Jefferson County Public Schools and their families during the Christmas holiday.

 

Blessing in a Basket

An annual partnership with Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Centerthat provides Thanksgiving Day baskets to families in need in the Newburg area.

 

MOVE & LOVE Mentorship Academy

A mentorship program for males and females that are in middle school and high school. Participants are supported through a relationship with an adult mentor.. Participants are supported through a relationship with an adult mentor. Mentors meet with students twice per week in a group setting guiding them through set curriculums which addresses topics such as leadership, family and peer relationships and self-esteem. Participants also take part in off-site field trips and volunteer experiences.

 

VOLUNTEER

Join your hand with us for a better life and beautiful future.

If you would like to volunteer for a program please fill out our interest form and we will contact you within 48 Hours through phone or email.

DONATE TODAY

Our fingerprints on the lives we touch never fade.
Be the change.