Raised in Louisville, Joe Dougherty is a product of the local community, having attended Holy Spirit and St. Xavier, and now the CEO of Louisville Paving Construction, all of this just like his father before him.
This strong connection to his community has fueled his passion for giving back, particularly through his work with our nonprofit organization.
It was through David Harrod, another long-time donor and previous spotlight in our series, that Joe was first introduced to our nonprofit. This alone shows you the power of relationships and word of mouth!
David eventually invited Joe to join our board, where he served as chairman, leaving a lasting impact on our organization during a very critical time for us.
Direct Issues Facing our Community
Joe shared how his life and the values he imparts into his company are focused on two critical areas: Catholic education and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The latter issue weighs heavy on him.
“I’ve seen it in people I know, people I work with, co-workers, friends, and just the stats across the community. The devastation caused by substance abuse is significant,” he says. “At some level, if you’re paying attention, you realize how severe the drug and alcohol problem is, and yet treatment remains underfunded. For those of us who are drawn to this cause, we know we’re really making a difference.”
The Stigma Around Recovery
He acknowledges the stigma that often surrounds addiction, which can affect the level of support people are willing to give, but he is unwavering in his commitment to this cause!
“It’s not the most popular cause, and that’s unfortunate,” he admits. “But anyone who is an adult has probably seen a glimpse of this issue. That’s how widespread and common it is. We don’t fully understand it—psychologically, or the systemic way it needs to be addressed.”
But he wholeheartedly understands our mission in aftercare and building a sober life. He continually shares with others the importance of the work being done at Beacon House.
“When people come here, they’re often at the lowest point in their lives. You can’t just fix addiction on your own; it takes multiple channels of support for it to click. But what you always see with every resident here is hope. Beacon House shows them it’s possible to live a sober life.”
His Call to Action
We are so grateful for the way he has aligned himself and his organization with our mission for support and recovery from substance use and addiction. He’s even a Corporate Sponsor at our upcoming golf scramble– the 4th Annual Dick Barrett Memorial Recovery Classic. He has generously volunteered to fulfill that sponsorship role for several years! He has also shown his support by engaging with residents at events like the annual Thanksgiving Dinner and several cookouts. “These activities help anyone feel more connected to this cause,” he says.
“If I were to encourage anyone to give, I would tell them to do it because it’s a local effort. Beacon House really needs our help, and they have a significant effect on our own community. So it’s a no-brainer—you SHOULD donate now to help them,” he urges. “If we relied solely on government and church support, it would still be limited. It’s more than philanthropy. It’s about doing our duty as members of the community. Because the community allows us to live our life here and to be in business, it’s our responsibility to give back.”
Every dollar donated goes straight to the aftercare program and facilities that serve our residents, ensuring a direct impact on those who need it most.
This featured story highlights the value of businesses and business leaders giving back. Joe’s leadership at Louisville Paving and Construction, combined with his dedication to the community and our cause, serves as an example of what it means to invest in the community. You can do that too! If you would like to represent your organization as a Sponsor or participating team in our annual golf scramble fundraiser, you can still get involved. Click here!
