South Louisville Neighborhoods Connection

All About SLNC

The South Louisville Neighborhoods Connection (SLNC) is an advocacy group comprised of Neighborhood Association Presidents in the South Louisville area.  The SLNC includes the neighborhoods of Beechmont, Cloverleaf, Iroquois, Jacob, Lucky Horseshoe, Iroquois, Oakdale, St. Joseph, and Wilder Park.

The SLNC vision is as follows:

• The SLNC strives to enhance and promote a positive image of South Louisville through revitalization, preservation and robust involvement with our neighborhoods, schools, parks, businesses and other resources. 
• SLNC members bring to the table successes, challenges, and "hot topics" that affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods.  Through this communication and dialogue in a round table setting, the SLNC pinpoints the issues and sets goals to resolve them, to progressively improve our neighborhoods and the corridors that connect them. 
• The SLNC meets quarterly, with a rotating convener so that each neighborhood president has a chance to run a meeting and bring new approaches and ideas to the forum.  
• Presidents are encouraged to bring board members or any other active neighbor to the meetings.  
• Guest speakers are welcome and have included the likes of John Asher of Churchill Downs, School Board Representative Linda Duncan and Jack Will of the Dream Foundation.

SLNC was originally formed as the Advocacy Group of South Louisville (AGSL) in early 2006.  Before this time, communication between the south Louisville neighborhoods was strained, and the neighborhood associations worked independently with little contact between them.  As new association leaders came into the president roles, it was realized by them that the south Louisville neighborhoods shared many of the same challenges, and also shared the same joys and pleasures.  Issues, good and bad, that affected one neighborhood likely affected the next one over.  AGSL was soon formed, with a vision to reach across neighborhood lines by all being at one table and working toward solutions.  It was decided that strong leadership would help this new group to flourish, and Virginia Woodward was approached to convene at all meetings, doing so until she moved on to her new role as Executive Director for the Office of the Governor - Boards & Commissions in December of 2007.  Shortly before this, itwas determined that SLNC was a more appropriate name for the group; neighborhoods connecting and working together.

Gary Jany, President of Wilder Park, took over as convener until August of 2009, when it was decided that a revolving convener role could greatly benefit the group; each neighborhood president having an opportunity to bring new outlooks and approaches to the forum.

The SLNC met at the Wilder Park Community Center for all meetings until August of 2009, when Churchill Downs graciously offered meeting space.  Other meeting spaces will be discussed as the SLNC ventures forward.

Other Neighborhoods that are in south Louisville are welcome to join.