When you buy a book from the Rosewater, you support your neighbors in need.
South Louisville Community Ministries (SLCM), partnered with The Book Works, and opened a used bookstore in Beechmont. Picture books to the ceiling, comfortable seats by the window, a children's corner, local art and hot tea waiting for you. Yes, the Rosewater is a bookstore, but it’s so much more.
Our Mission We are a social enterprise creating opportunities for those seeking to share individual and communal strengths in a space that is more than a bookstore, but is itself a member of the community.
Our Vision A better sense of community, enrichment and inclusion in every neighborhood, in every city.
Our Values
Community Development
A long-time vacant building is now being intentionally developed with our marginalized neighbors in mind while circulating money in the neighborhood!
Emergency Assistance for Families in Crisis
We have to turn away more than half of our families who are facing housing and food insecurity. Buying a book can help a neighbor get back on their feet.
Social Inclusion for ALL Neighbors
Did you know that loneliness can be worse for your health than smoking two packs a day? The Rosewater will be a place to meet neighbors.
Workforce Training
If you've been out of the workforce, it can be difficult to get a job. This flexible, welcoming work environment helps trainees get back to work.
SLCM provides emergency assistance and compassionate advocacy to low-income neighbors in crisis. We address immediate needs of hunger and stable housing while creating lasting community.
SLCM provides nutritional food from our pantry, delivers hot meals to homebound seniors daily, prevents eviction/homelessness by providing financial assistance for housing, eliminates families living in dangerous housing conditions by assisting with utilities to avoid disconnection, helps with purchasing life-saving medication and connects individuals and families with additional community services to address their challenges in a holistic manner.
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe of what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgement at how they carry it.”