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Relentless cold impacts Louisville community as pipe bursts at UofL, nonprofit wraps up services

In seven days, volunteers helped six people enter recovery treatment programs and oversaw 32 housing assessments, Amanda Mills with Southend Street Angels said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the artic air flows, weather related mishaps have popped up across Louisville, including on the University of Louisville's campus.

"The restoration efforts are going along nicely," Teresa Reed, dean of the UofL School of Music, said. "And we look forward to welcoming the School of Music family back into this hall very, very soon."

Crews started working to clean up the school's own winter weather mess inside an auditorium, Reed said, after a broken pipe flooded Comstock Hall, putting it out of commission for the time being.

"We had a whole team of people here," she said. "They started almost immediately to get the moisture out."

As the drying process continues on campus, down in South Louisville, Hope International AOH Church of God is wrapping up a week of feeding and keeping people warm.

"My heart is full," church Pastor Gena Harris said, speaking through tears.

RELATED: 'They become our family first and foremost': Southend Street Angels extends pop up shelter

WHAS11 News first introduced the Southend Street Angels last Friday, Jan. 12 on the NightTeam. As temperatures dropped, they ramped up efforts to help those who are houseless. 

"People who had given up on humanity, their hope's been restored -- even volunteers," Amanda Mills of the Southend Street Angels said.

In seven days, volunteers have helped six people enter recovery treatment programs, one person find permanent housing and oversaw 32 housing assessments, Mills said.

God is faithful‼️5 detoxed with us and has moved on to be completely free of addiction‼️ God’s Love will give you a want to even in your darkest hour‼️

Posted by Hope International AOH Church of God on Wednesday, January 17, 2024

"[I feel] like I made a difference," Mills said, tearing up.

The impact on those seeking shelter is obvious.

"This is very warm! Very, very warm! And so, I've utilized every resource I can here," one man who is currently houseless said.

A few blocks away, down an unpaved South End street, you'll find Ryan Boling. Not even the sub-zero temps could stop him from fixing up a 1972 Pontiac Le Mans -- a passion project he shared with his dad.

"Got a new part in today, and you know, I figured I wouldn't let the weather stop me," Boling said. "It was kind of the car that got away and [my dad] always wanted another one." 

RELATED: How the roads are in Louisville Friday after snow storm

While Bole's dad passed away in October 2022, he's braving the cold to get his dad's dream car up and running.

"Oh absolutely, absolutely; he's here with me, he's here with me, I'm positive he's here with me," Boles said. "And helping. I know he's rooting for me and that she'll fire up today."

Bole said he's going to wait until the snow melts and temps warm up to take his Le Mans out for a spin.

As for Hope International, Friday marked the last day of their pop up shelter, but Mills said TARC is offering free rides to anyone who needs to go to another shelter. 

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