www.loubar.org 8 Louisville Bar Briefs In 2014, Kenneth Winfield, a 49-year-old man experiencing homelessness, was found on the steps of St. John Center for Homeless Men during sub-zero temperatures in Louisville. Kenneth had been homeless for years and had recently sought help finding an apartment, fearing he might not survive another winter outside. Although he applied for supportive housing, he was not deemed “vulnerable enough” to qualify for the limited resources available. Shortly after being found outside the shelter, Kenneth died. For many, Kenneth’s story was a heartbreaking tragedy. For Bart Greenwald, it became a call to action. When Bart read about a man his own age dying on the steps of a shelter, he refused to let the story end there. He asked a simple but profound question: What can I do to help? That question came to define not only his response in that moment, but also a legacy of compassion, leadership and persistence that continues to shape our community. In the months that followed, Bart began exploring how legal services could better reach individuals experiencing homelessness before crisis turned to tragedy. Around that time, he learned about Project H.E.L.P. (Homeless Experience Legal Protection), a national model championed by Jay C. Zaney. Bart believed Louisville deserved the same kind of outreach and advocacy. Acting on that belief, he partnered with Legal Aid Society to bring the program to life locally. By 2015, Project H.E.L.P. Louisville launched at St. John Center for Homeless Men, where volunteer attorneys began providing free, on-site civil legal assistance. In those early days, Bart personally rallied members of the legal community, ensuring the program had the support it needed to grow and endure. What began as a single clinic has since expanded to multiple shelters, reaching thousands of individuals who might otherwise never have access to legal help. Since its founding, Project H.E.L.P. has served more than 2,500 clients and resolved over 3,500 cases. Each result reflects Bart’s belief that justice should be accessible to all. Bart also understood that lasting change requires investment in the future. Through the Greenwald Family Endowment Fund at the Louisville Bar Foundation, he established ongoing support for law students to work with Project H.E.L.P. This created opportunities for the next generation of advocates to carry this work forward. His commitment extended deeply into Legal Aid’s leadership. As a member of the Board of Directors beginning in 2016, and later as chair, Bart guided the organization with steadiness, vision and generosity. During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, he stepped forward to lead the Justice for All Campaign, inspiring others to give boldly in a time of great need. For Bart, however, success was never defined by simply meeting a fundraising goal. He believed deeply that the work demanded more. There were always more people to reach and more justice to pursue. He challenged Legal Aid Society to think bigger about its role, not just as a legal service provider, but as an essential part of the fabric of the entire community. He often referred to Legal Aid as “the best law firm in town” and, more powerfully, as “Louisville’s law firm.” This reflected his belief that the organization belonged to, and served, everyone. Under his leadership, that vision took hold and shaped how Legal Aid understands both its mission and its responsibility to the community. Kenneth Winfield’s story was one of loss. Because of Bart Greenwald, it also became one of purpose. Bart ensured that Kenneth would be remembered not only for the tragedy of his death, but also for the change his story inspired. Through Project H.E.L.P., through his leader- ship and through his unwavering belief in equal justice, Bart transformed a moment of heartbreak into a lasting force for good. In remembering Bart Greenwald, we honor a life defined by action, compassion and an enduring commitment to others. His legacy lives on in every client served, every volunteer inspired and every step taken toward a more just community. Julia Leist is the Director of Development and Communications at Legal Aid Society. n A Legacy of Action: Honoring Bart Greenwald By Julia Leist
