Jefferson County | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Jefferson County

 

Since the chapter formed in 1983, we have supported and worked with allies on issues that affect you and me, including affordable housing, police abuse, sweat shops, hazardous waste reduction and recycling. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to fight for justice while building a compassionate, connected, and fun community here in our great city. With over 2,500 KFTC members across the County, JCKFTC is an anchor chapter of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. The chapter focuses on three issues: Education Justice, Energy and Climate Justice, and democracy Justice. 

  • You can find JCKFTC members agitating and lobbying the local school board, rallying for trans students, traveling to Capiltal to lobby and rally for education bills that support students, and creating strategies to save education in Kentucky. 
  • RSVP here for KFTC's Education Justice Lobby Day & Rally at the Capital on Tuesday, February 4, 2025
  • RSVP here for KFTC's monthly virtual Statewide Education Justice meetings.
  • Share your voice by taking our digital Education Justice Survey by October 31, 2024.

  • In addition to being part of the Just Transition Coalition, the Jefferson County chapter also has a robust Energy & Climate Justice working group that meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday from 7 - 8 pm EDT. You can RSVP here for our monthly Energy & Climate Justice working group here:

  • JCKFTC members register voters across the County, including at places like Actor’s Theatre, Simmon’s Freedom School, Sarabande Books’ Annual Poetry Carnival, Carmichael’s Bookstore, and more. 


From schools to houses of faith to recovery centers, JCKFTC offers training and presentations on all of our issues. Some of the most requested trainings and presentations are on voting rights restoration, political education, voter registration training, the state of education justice, arts and activism at the intersection of climate and energy justice, and organizing for change. Email us today to begin a conversation about bringing a training or presentation to your group.

You’ll be able to find KFTC’s quarterly newspaper, Balancing The Scales, at various locations, including multiple Heine Brothers Coffee locations, the Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op, Elderserve, Goodwill, the Bishop’s Table, and more. JCKFTC members enjoy reading Balancing The Scales and contributing to the publication. You can find JCKFTC members’ Balancing The Scales articles on the KFTC Blog. 


Each 2nd Monday of the month, from 5 - 7:30 pm, JCKFTC hosts a Chapter Meeting - all are welcome and invited. We begin by sharing a meal & networking for an hour, then spend the remaining 90 minutes discussing our ongoing work & strategizing for a future where all Kentuckians can thrive. We have an average attendance of about 45 - 50 people. This is a life-changing family-friendly event. You can RSVP for a monthly chapter meeting with us here. 

We offer POWER 101, an in-person intro to organizing for change course. This two-hour organizing course covers The Transition Zone, Powerful Questions, the Accountability Pathway, and more. The chapter plans to pilot a virtual option to POWER 101 in early 2025.  
 

You can find all things JCKFTC on our LinkTree.

Recent Activities

Louisville weekend update

Kristah Lavalle and Jennifer Jeffers on September 9, 2012 in Voting Rights, Restore your right to vote, Jefferson County, Voter Empowerment

IMG560Today, two KFTC electoral organizers went to St. Stephen's Baptist Church in Louisville to register voters and give out information about voting rights. We registered 30 voters and gave a lot of registration cards for people to take home to family members but they will be returning those cards to the church and they will contact us to pick them up.

KFTC meets with international youth leaders

Linda Stettenbenz and Beth Bissmeyer on September 3, 2012 in , Jefferson County, Voter Empowerment

2012_09_01 International Visitor Leaderhip Program with KFTCJefferson County KFTC Electoral Organizers had a unique opportunity this past Saturday to visit with youth leaders from around the world and discuss organizing. Beth Bissmeyer and Linda Stettenbenz met with a delegation comprising youth from Cambodia, Suriname, India, and Bulgaria in a meeting arranged through the U.S. Department of States' International Visitor Leadership Program. The group's aim: tour the U.S. to learn about youth political engagement in the U.S. and how groups foster sustainable involvement.

Everyone in the room shared a little about their homes and what moved them to become active politically. Sophorn Meas, member of the Prey Veng Youth Working Group in Cambodia, said that many people in his country are afraid to participate in politics as a lasting fall-out from the Cambodian Genocide in the 1970s. "I want to encourage people to not be afraid," said Sophorn. "When I participate, I feel free. I feel I can do what I want to do."

KFTC at Worldfest in Louisville this weekend

Linda Stettenbenz on September 2, 2012 in , Jefferson County, Voter Empowerment

Jefferson County KFTC Electoral Organizers and member volunteers had a great first day at Worldfest, an annual three-day event on the Belvedere celebrating Louisville’s international heritage.

KFTC Electoral Organizers hired, trained and ready to go!

Pictured left to right Tayna Fogle, Allyson Williams, Stephanie Tyree, Carey Henson, Linda Stettenbenz, Beth Bissmeyer, Jennifer Jeffers, Tanya Torp, Kristah Lavalle and Alan Smith.
Dave Newton on August 31, 2012 in , Southern Kentucky, , Central Kentucky, , Big Sandy, , Jefferson County, , Madison County, Voter Empowerment

KFTC's campaign to register, educate and mobilize thousands of voters leading up to the November 6 election took a leap forward August 27 as KFTC ran an intensive two-day training of our brand new electoral organizers from chapter areas across the state. These folks will be assisting KFTC members and chapter organizers build grassroots power and strengthening our democracy.

KFTC members get the Blue Ribbon!

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on August 22, 2012 in Economic Justice, Tax Reform, Southern Kentucky, , Central Kentucky, , Big Sandy, , Harlan County, , Jefferson County, , Madison County, , Northern Kentucky, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Shelby County, State Budget

Last night's marathon Public Input meeting marked the end of this important stage of the Blue Ribbon Tax Commission's process for recommending state tax reforms. Although a few good folks had to leave before they could deliver their statement – the meeting ran more than an hour over time – the call for progressive tax reforms and adequate revenue for health, education, and environmental protection and clean energy was loud and clear. Sixteen of the speakers lined up were KFTC members, some coming as concerned Kentuckians and some wearing the hat of an ally organization.

Page

Chapter Feature:

Regular Meetings:

Jefferson County KFTC office
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Monthly Chapter Meeting

Each 2nd Monday of the month, from 5 - 7:30 pm, JCKFTC hosts a Chapter Meeting - all are welcome and invited.

We begin by sharing a meal & networking for an hour, then spend the remaining 90 minutes discussing our ongoing work & strategizing for a future where all Kentuckians can thrive.

We have an average attendance of about 45 - 50 people & folks are welcome to bring a dish to share.

This is a life-changing family-friendly event.

You can RSVP for a monthly chapter meeting with us here.

Chapter Organizer:

Bonifacio Aleman
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203

Other Pages