Against The Grain

It has been a while since the last update and there is a lot going on. 

First - We would like to announce that Meredith Kendall has taken on the role of Executive Director for AtG. Rob has move to the Development Director on a limited basis and is pursuing other ministry opportunities.   This is an exciting move that has been under consideration by the Board for several months. Please make sure to welcome Meredith into her new role

Second - The move into the new offices is complete and we are offering the Jobs Program weekly as an introduction to the community.  In the past 2 months there have been 35 students who have gone through the program and are taking the necessary steps to get their lives back on the right track. 

Third -  AtG is providing Life-Skills Classes and the Jobs for Life program to the inmates at the Williamson County Jail. The first class of 19 inmates has graduated and there are 25 new students enrolled in the second offering. Please pray for these students as they gain the skills necessary to re-enter society and correct their past mistakes.

There are several opportunities to be involved this spring. There is a Bunco tournament, Golf Scramble and several volunteer opportunities. Please click the March Newsletter link (located to the right) for more information on those opportunities. 

Through a collaborative effort with the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center, AtG has moved the offices to Nashville. AtG is joining an effort with several other non-profits which are impacting the Nashville area. The move does not reduce the commitment to meet the needs of the women and children in Franklin but the meetings with the moms will be moved to 4th Ave. Church or they will meet in the homes of the mothers. This is an incredible opportunity to begin going deeper with the moms that are already being served in Nashville and will create additional resources to be used in ministering. Please note the following address changes and update your records. 

Physical address:
2013 25th Ave North
Nashville, TN 37208

P.O. Box:
P.O. Box 809
Franklin, TN 37065 

What a busy, but amazing week.

Tuesday - AtG fulfilled one of our strategic objectives as we began moving into our new office at the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center in Nashville. The McGruder FRC is in the 37208 zip code and we have joined a collaborative effort to impact the residence of that area. Just a little info about the 37208 area. According to the U.S. Census updated estimates - there are 1,220 single mothers living in poverty.
We will continue to meet the needs in Franklin and have office hours in Nashville on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We have closed the Franklin office and have partnered with 4th Ave. Church of Christ to have space available to meet with moms in their building.

Wednesday - The Nashville Predators came to A-Game Sportplex in Franklin to hold a "Turkey Shoot" with AtG. The kids had a chance to shoot a puck and win a ham or turkey for Thanksgiving. Jordan Tootoo and Cody Franson were there with Gnash and we had a great time with 55 - 60 kids. For pictures of the event, click on the following link to the Predators website.
http://predators.nhl.com/club/gallerylanding.htm?id=10368
Thanks to the Preds and A-Game Sportsplex for an amazing event.

Thursday - After the 180 class, the Tonja Rose Band had a benefit concert for AtG at Puckett's Grocery in Franklin. It was a great night. Songwriters Rob Harris, Greg Johnson and Deanna Harper opened the evening with a few rounds of their original music and Tonja ended the night singing several of her songs from her new album "The Heart of Me". We had a great time and were able to share the vision of AtG with several new people. Thanks to everyone at Identical Entertainment and Puckett's for making this evening a great success.

Friday (today) - Patricia will be closing on her Habitat house. Patricia has an amazing story and is one of our 180 moms. We began working with her kids 5 years ago but Patricia would not come because of a conflict with her Muslim faith. We continued to serve her children and she watched as we shared with them the love of Jesus. Patricia left the Muslim faith, became a Christian and joined the 180 Program. We are so excited for the new hope her family has found and are priveledged to provide the blessing of the home. Patricia has asked that we annoint her home after the official ceremony.

Last week was a great week. We continue to minister to the moms and their kids here in Frankin, but have started reaching into a nieghborhood in Nashville through a partnership with the McCruder Family Resource Center. We will be opening an office in that center this month and the need in the community is tremendous. Within 3 miles of this center, there are over 1220 single mothers living in poverty.
We have already begun to offer some training to the community at-large. On Tuesday, Meredith held a "Resume Writing/Dress for Success" class and had 12 women and 3 men in the class. We have also begun case management for several women who live in the Dodge City housing projects.
Thursday, we took 29 people to watch the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2 - 0. It was a great "boys night out" and we had several men who are interested in the mentoring program come and join us and begin to meet some of the boys.
                   
Saturday, the AtG Legacy Builders won 1st place in the Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook Off. We had so much fun, were able to meet a lot of people and share with them the work of AtG. We are planning a Chili Night in Franklin, to let some of you taste our award winning chili. Stay tuned for more details.

Against the Grain is empowering single mothers and their children.  By joining in this effort you are a part of the solution.  Just click on the Donate Now button.