West Nashville Dream Center

WE ARE A MINISTRY CENTER COMMITTED TO PROTECTING AND EMPOWERING THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY LIVING IN DISTRESS.

KIDS MINISTRY--WE SERVED 1000 MEALS TO CHILDREN DURING OUR SUMMER IS FOR KIDS PROGRAM. WE COLLECTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BACKPACKS FOR OVER 350 STUDENTS AT COCKRILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH A TOTAL OF SEVEN TITLE I SCHOOLS WITH 100% OF THEIR POPULATION ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH, LIVING WELL BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR NORTH NASHVILLE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ENROLLED 30 STUDENTS FROM OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS IN THE AREA. WE SERVED OVER 2000 MEALS EACH SEMESTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND ALSO PROVIDED TUTORING, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND FINE ARTS ACTIVITIES.

MOM'S MINISTRY--OUR DREAM STREETS MOMS PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 35 UNDER RESOURCED MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP, SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES, AND LIFE SKILL CLASSES. GROUP MEMBERS EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING FROM GROUP COUNSELING TO GOAL SETTING, COOKING CLASSES, FAMILY FIELD TRIPS, ARTS ACTIVITIES, AND PERSONAL GROWTH SKILLS CLASSES AS WELL. DREAM HOUSING GRANT- THE DREAM HOUSING GRANT PROGRAM IS A FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL OF MOVING MINORITY AND IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS INTO FIRST TIME HOME OWNERSHIP. ENROLLEES ARE CHOSEN THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS AND REVIEW, PAIRED WITH A MENTOR, AND GIVEN A SET OF REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN GOOD STANDING IN THE PROGRAM. THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH A MONTHLY STIPEND TO PAY DOWN DEBT AND ESTABLISH A SAVINGS ACCOUNT. AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM IF THEY HAVE MET ALL BENCHMARKS, THEY QUALIFY FOR A DOWN PAYMENT MATCHING GRANT.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH--MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION REMAINED OUR BIGGEST PROGRAM OF THE YEAR, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LINGERING EFFECTS ON FAMILIES' HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS AND RESOURCES FROM THE PANDEMIC ALONG WITH THE SUBSEQUENT ECONOMIC RECESSION AND RECORD HIGH INFLATION. WE DISTRIBUTED 446,075 POUNDS OF FRESH GROCERIES TO OVER 38,800 INDIVIDUALS IN THE LAST YEAR. WE ALSO ADDED TWO DISTRIBUTION SITES IN NORTH NASHVILLE AND SEVERAL FOOD PARTNERS. WE NOW PICK UP DONATED GROCERIES AND WHOLESALE ITEMS 24 TIMES PER WEEK TO DISTRIBUTE TO 11 SEPARATE SITES. IN 2023, WE BEGAN A JOB READINESS PROGRAM FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED ADULT MALES LIVING IN THE 37208 AREA OF NORTH NASHVILLE TO RECEIVE SOFT SKILL AND JOB-SPECIFIC SKILL TRAINING FOR THE CULINARY INDUSTRY. PARTICIPANTS BECOME CERTIFIED IN CULINARY AND COMPLETE A SIX MONTH LONG ON-THE-JOB INTERNSHIP.

STUDENT MINISTRY-- OUR STUDENT MINISTRY GREW TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONCE PER WEEK FOR PROGRAMMING AND MENTORSHIP. WE HAVE ALSO BEGUN AN INITIATIVE TO HELP ALL OF OUR STUDENTS OBTAIN THEIR DRIVERS PERMIT AND LOW-COST VEHICLES TO FURTHER MOBILIZE THEM AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.