Backside Learning Center

Backside Learning Center Providing support and resources in a safe, welcoming environment to backstretch workers & families.

Our doors opened in June of 2004 thanks to the advocacy of a few visionaries within the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs who identified the need to provide educational opportunities and other resources to backside workers. Seeded with an initial grant from Louisville Thoroughbred owners and breeders Richard, Elaine, and Bert Klein, and Bill Casner with WinStar Farm, this initiative began

with the renovation of the old racing offices, which still house the BLC. In 2008, an 800-square-feet expansion took place, which was fully funded with in-kind support. Originally the Klein Family Learning Center and Winstar Library and Classrooms, the name was changed to the Backside Learning Center in 2010. Six years later, the Backside Learning Center gained independent non-profit status! Churchill Downs graciously continues to provide our building and its maintenance at no cost. Since its inception, the BLC has evolved into a comprehensive resource center, providing an array of educational programming, an after school program for the children of backside workers, social services and referrals, and translation and interpretation. Of equal importance, we serve as a community center and a “home away from home” for the nearly 1,000 workers at Churchill Downs racetrack who find themselves far from family and friends.

05/12/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY
bit.ly/KyGivesDay_BLC

Today, Tuesday, May 12th—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

- Live via https://onestream.live

05/12/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE DAY 🚨
👉 bit.ly/KyGivesDay_BLC

Today, Tuesday, May 12th—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

🚨 KENTUCKY GIVES DAY OPEN FOR DONATIONS NOW TIL TUESDAY AT 11:59PM! 🚨👉 bit.ly/KyGivesDay_BLCTuesday, May 9th—we join hu...
05/11/2026

🚨 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 ...
05/08/2026

📚 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!...
05/06/2026

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.*

Thank you so much, Great Day Live, for featuring us this Thurby morning! Great Day Live
04/30/2026

Thank you so much, Great Day Live, for featuring us this Thurby morning!

Great Day Live

To learn more, visit backsidelearningcenter.org

04/30/2026

Hang out with us this morning. 🌅🐴
Grooms, hotwalkers, exercise riders, stable hands — up before the sun, every single day. Derby or not. This is their week too. 💛

Huge thank you to the local media spotlighting the work we’re doing to show up for these workers. It means the world. 🫶

Also, huge shoutout to for talking to us this morning and advocating for our community! 🔥

Because Derby week doesn’t happen without the hands that make it possible. 🌹

Want to contribute to our mission? Support our work!
👉backsidelearningcenter.org


Thank you, BNI Conexion Bilingue!
04/29/2026

Thank you, BNI Conexion Bilingue!

Huge thank you the Courier Journal for telling the story of our after school program tutoring and enrichment program, "F...
04/29/2026

Huge thank you the Courier Journal for telling the story of our after school program tutoring and enrichment program, "Front Runners."

https://buff.ly/oAgpERh

Interested in volunteering and helping in our Front Runners program? We're looking for volunteers for the fall already, and are hosting our Summer Literacy Camp in July.
Learn more by filling out our volunteer form:
https://buff.ly/PxmAOKG

An afterschool program provides academic support and a safe community for children of Churchill Downs backside workers, many of whom are immigrants.

Address

3131 S 2nd Street, #389
Louisville, KY
40208

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm

Telephone

+15026346543

Website

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