2026 Winter Storm Update: Teams Deployed

Dear Friends,

In response to the recent winter storm impacting communities across the South and East Coast, Inspiritus Disaster Relief is preparing to deploy to support relief efforts in Middle Tennessee.

Our response team will deploy in the coming days to Goodlettsville, at the request of city officials. We will be working in close coordination with local authorities, emergency management partners, and trusted organizations to assess needs and determine where support is most urgently needed. As conditions and resources allow, we may expand our response to additional communities across Tennessee and northern Mississippi.

Initial response efforts will focus on immediate relief needs, including: removing hazards and debris, securing homes, tree work and tarping, muck-and-gut, cleaning, and sanitizing damaged spaces.

With additional funding, our work could expand to include longer-term recovery efforts, such as home repairs to help families safely return home.

Donations are critically needed to make this response possible and to sustain recovery efforts in the days ahead. Your support helps ensure we can respond quickly, safely, and effectively when communities need us most.

There’s more work to be done. Your support ensures our teams can be on the ground meeting urgent needs as they arise. Consider making a financial gift today.

Thank you for your continued support as we empower storm survivors on their path from surviving to thriving.

Sincerely,

Jaime Mok
Inspiritus Disaster Relief
Executive Director
Inspiritus

Our Disaster Relief Program Report is Here!

Dear Friends,

This year, your generosity made a powerful difference when it mattered most.

Thanks to your support, Inspiritus empowered 3,181 storm survivors on their road to recovery across 11 disaster response operations, helping families restore safety, stability, and hope after crisis struck.

From immediate relief to long-term recovery, your partnership fueled every step of this work. We invite you to explore our full 2024-2025 Disaster Relief Program Report to see the stories, milestones, and impact you helped make possible.

There’s more work to be done. Your support ensures our teams can be on the ground meeting urgent needs as they arise. Consider making a financial gift today.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Featured in Nashville PBS / wnpt.org Special

Dear Friend,

Across the country, older adults are being priced out of the places they’ve called home. Rents continue to rise, affordable housing options are shrinking, and for people living on fixed incomes, the margin for error is disappearing.

We’re honored to share this Nashville PBS/wnpt.org segment below, which takes a closer look at what this reality means for older adults and the community-based efforts working to respond before housing insecurity becomes displacement. Earlier this year, a Nashville PBS film crew spent time capturing this growing crisis and the collaborative work underway to address it. Inspiritus is included in the segment, highlighting our affordable housing efforts and the role stable housing, alongside access to essential supports like food assistance, plays in long-term well-being.

The film brings viewers face-to-face with older adults navigating impossible housing choices, as well as the nonprofit, faith-based, and community leaders working within systems that are no longer keeping pace with the need. It raises an important question. How did we get here, and why aren’t the solutions we rely on enough?

The full Nashville PBS segment is now available, and we encourage you to watch: https://youtu.be/kl5WCPBCuE

Can Churches Solve the Affordable Housing Crisis? | Aging Matters

When communities come together, meaningful change becomes possible. This Nashville PBS feature reflects the collective work of many organizations committed to practical, compassionate solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.

Air Dates on PBS Nashville:
• December 28 at 6:30 PM (CT)
• January 5 at 8:00 PM (CT)

The full segment can also be watched here: https://youtu.be/kl5WCPBCuEw

We’re honored to be included in this important conversation and grateful to be part of the broader community working toward lasting, people-centered solutions. Thank you for your continued partnership and for believing in community-driven efforts that create real change.

With gratitude, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director of Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus

Year-End Update from Thrive Community Lending.

Dear Friend,

As the year comes to a close, we want to start by saying thank you. 

Because of your support, refugee entrepreneurs across Georgia are building businesses, strengthening their families’ stability, and creating pathways toward long-term economic opportunity. Your partnership makes it possible for Thrive Community Lending to meet entrepreneurs where they are and walk alongside them as they grow. 

This moment also gives us the chance to reflect on what we've accomplished together over the past year, and to share why we’re feeling energized and hopeful as we look ahead to the year to come. 

Year-End Impact Highlights 

Because of your support, Thrive Community Lending continues to grow in both reach and credibility. 

• 35 refugee-owned businesses launched or strengthened, representing $400,000 invested directly into low-income communities with the creation on 59 jobs.

• Official recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the U.S. government, strengthening Thrive’s long-term sustainability 

• $200,000 Neighborhood Builders grant from Bank of America, awarded to support refugee-owned small businesses 

• Expansion into Savannah, where four refugee entrepreneurs are launching new businesses to support their families with Thrive loans 

• Leadership Breakfast held in September, convening banks, foundations, nonprofits, refugee entrepreneurs, and volunteers to discuss local economic challenges and shape pathways to shared prosperity 

Each milestone reflects not only progress, but trust. Trust from funders. Trust from partners. And trust from entrepreneurs choosing Thrive as a stepping stone toward long-term success. 

Borrower Spotlight: From Resettlement to Entrepreneurship

When Azatullah Alizai (on the right) arrived in the U.S. in 2016 through Inspiritus’ Refugee & Immigrant Services program, he was rebuilding his life from the ground up. A new country. New systems. And a deep determination to create stability for his family. 

With support from Inspiritus and Thrive Community Lending, Azatullah turned that determination into action.

Through Thrive’s training and affordable financing, he launched his own Halal food truck in Savannah, creating a pathway to economic independence through work he’s proud of. 

Today, his business is open, growing, and quickly becoming a favorite in the community. For Azatullah, this isn’t just a food truck. It’s stability, dignity, and a future shaped on his own terms. 

This is what your support makes possible. When opportunity meets resilience, families don’t just rebuild. They thrive. 

 Visit Azatullah’s food truck: 7505 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31406 

Why Thrive’s Role Matters 

Many early-stage entrepreneurs face a readiness gap before they can successfully access larger loans or traditional financial products. 

That is where Thrive plays a critical role. 

We work alongside entrepreneurs to help them build stability, credit readiness, and strong operational foundations. Our partners have been clear that this bridge matters. It strengthens their future pipeline and ensures entrepreneurs are prepared to step confidently into the capital products those institutions offer, rather than being pushed forward too soon. 

When Thrive does its job well, everyone benefits. Entrepreneurs grow stronger. Partners engage with better-prepared borrowers. Communities become more economically resilient. 

Looking Ahead to the New Year 

As we step into the year ahead, we are energized by what’s possible and grateful for the community that surrounds this work. 

There are several meaningful ways you can continue supporting local refugee entrepreneurs: 

• Volunteer as a business coach or advisor, sharing your expertise with early-stage entrepreneurs 

• Host a training class or workshop, helping entrepreneurs build practical skills in areas like finance, marketing, operations, or compliance 

• Recommend potential borrowers who may benefit from Thrive’s training and affordable capital 

• Make introductions to organizations aligned with this work, whether as collaborative partners, funders, or volunteer groups 

Your time, expertise, and connections play a critical role in helping entrepreneurs move from survival to stability to growth.

For more information, email John Arnold by clicking the button below. 

With Gratitude 

As the year winds down, we’re deeply thankful for your continued belief in this work. Every loan deployed, every business launched, and every family strengthened is connected to supporters like you. 

If you’re organization is looking for a meaningful way to close out the year: 

Give today. Change a life.

Your generosity helps refugee entrepreneurs access the training, capital, and support they need to build strong businesses and stable futures. 

Wishing you a warm, restful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year.  

With appreciation,

John Arnold
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending

Inspiritus Featured in Upcoming PBS Special

Dear Friend,

We're pleased to share a preview of an upcoming PBS segment that explores one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across middle Tennessee — affordable housing and homelessness, particularly among older adults.

Earlier this year, a PBS film crew spent time in Nashville highlighting how nonprofits, faith-based partners, and community leaders are working together to address housing insecurity. Inspiritus was honored to be included as part of this broader story, with a focus on our affordable housing efforts and the role stable housing plays in long-term well-being. The segment also reflects how access to supportive resources, including food assistance, can help neighbors remain safe, nourished, and connected as they work toward stability.

Today, we’re glad to share the official PBS teaser for the segment.

When communities come together, meaningful change becomes possible — and this PBS feature reflects the collective efforts of many organizations committed to practical, compassionate solutions.

Air Dates on PBS Nashville:
• December 28 at 6:30 PM (CT)
• January 5 at 8:00 PM (CT)

Following the initial broadcast, the feature will be available to a wider audience.

We’re grateful to be part of this important conversation and look forward to sharing the full segment with you when it airs. Thank you for your continued partnership and for believing in community-driven solutions that create lasting impact.

With gratitude, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director of Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus

The Storm Passed. The Pain Stayed.

Dear Friend, 

Just outside of Savannah, a young mom and her three daughters expected Hurricane Helene to weaken before reaching their neighborhood. Instead, the storm unleashed severe flooding and wind damage that destroyed their septic system, tore down the fence that kept her children safe, and ripped siding from their home.

A month later, her husband passed away unexpectedly — leaving her grieving, raising three children alone, and unable to afford the repairs. With no insurance and a denied FEMA claim, she had nowhere to turn.

Inspiritus stepped in.

Our Disaster Recovery Team replaced the septic system, repaired the siding, and rebuilt the fence at no cost to her — restoring safety and giving her room to breathe, grieve, and begin imagining a future for her family again.

Help Savannah families rebuild after Helene. Donate today.

Thank you for your support.

With gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Thank You for an Incredible Giving Tuesday!

Dear Friend,

Because of your generosity, Inspiritus had an incredible Giving Tuesday. Together, our community raised $8,529, and with the Thrivent match, your gifts grew to a powerful $12,793.

That impact is real. And it reaches far beyond one day.

Your support ensures families across the Southeast can stay housed, nourished, and connected to the resources they need to move from surviving to thriving. In a year when so many are facing rising costs, housing instability, hunger, and unexpected crises, your compassion shows that hope still grows when communities come together.

Why You Gave: Voices From Our Community

This Giving Tuesday, many of you shared why Inspiritus' mission matters to you. Your words reflect the heart of this work.

Your notes remind us that giving isn't just about the dollars raised, it's about the value shared, hope extended, and communities strengthened.

This work is only possible because of you.

Every meal distributed, every home repaired, every newcomer welcomed, every family supported, your generosity is at the heart of it all.

From all of us at Inspiritus, thank you for showing up for your neighbors. Thank you for giving boldly. Thank you for believing in this mission.

With gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Help Families Thrive This Giving Tuesday

Dear Friend,

Thriving looks different for each of us. For some, it’s steady income. For others, it’s emotional healing. For others still, it’s a safe home, a supportive community, or a chance to build something new. 

And the truth is, every one of us knows what it feels like to need just a little more— a little more support, a little more clarity, a little more encouragement, a little more space to breathe after a hard season. 

At Inspiritus, helping people thrive is the natural next step after safety and stability. Because surviving is not enough. People deserve to grow. To participate. To contribute. To find joy again. To imagine a future they can believe in. 

How We Help People Move Toward Thriving 

We walk with people as they rebuild confidence, skills, and possibility. We create space for emotional healing through community and art. We support parents and caregivers as they strengthen their families. We help individuals grow gardens that feed their households and their hope. We restore access to food and support networks that anchor wellbeing. We help entrepreneurs build the income and stability that open doors to opportunity. And we preserve housing so families can remain rooted long enough to grow. 

Thriving isn’t one program. It’s what happens when all the right supports come together at the right time.

Give This Giving Tuesday 

If you believe people deserve not only to survive—but to thrive—we’re asking you to give today. For every $2 you give, Thrivent adds $1, helping to increase your impact.

Your Giving Tuesday gift helps families...

• Rebuild confidence after crisis 
• Grow the skills and stability needed for long-term independence 
• Strengthen emotional and mental wellbeing 
• Access community, connection, and support 
• Build income and opportunity 
• Stay rooted in the places where their future can unfold 

Give today. Help someone move from surviving to thriving. 

Thank you for your support. 

With gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

For every $2 donated through Thrivent’s online giving platform on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Thrivent will match $1 up to an additional $20,000 per Thrivent Member Network. All donations in support of this fundraiser will be made through Thrivent CharitableTM. Thrivent will pay up to $300,000 in online processing fees per calendar year for personal donations made through Thrivent’s online giving platform.

Be one of the first five to change a life tomorrow

Dear Friend,

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. You can help someone move from crisis to stability. One gift can change the direction of a family’s life.

You do not have to wait until tomorrow.

You can give today, and your early gift will count toward our Giving Tuesday goal. Early gifts matter the most. They build momentum. They show the community that support is already moving. Most people wait for a sign that others care before they step forward. Your gift can be that sign.

We are inviting you to be one of the first five people to give. Your leadership inspires others to follow.

And your gift will go even further. Every $2 you give unlocks $1 more from Thrivent.

Early gifts create confidence. Confidence creates movement. Movement creates community.

If you are willing, join the first five. Help show what becomes possible when we step forward together.

Give early. Your gift will be matched.

Thank you for your support. 

With gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

For every $2 donated through Thrivent’s online giving platform on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Thrivent will match $1 up to an additional $20,000 per Thrivent Member Network. All donations in support of this fundraiser will be made through Thrivent CharitableTM. Thrivent will pay up to $300,000 in online processing fees per calendar year for personal donations made through Thrivent’s online giving platform.

This Giving Tuesday, your gift goes 50% further

Dear Friend,

Across the Southeast, families are being pushed to the edge. Rising rents, low wages, hunger, and dwindling resources are forcing too many of our neighbors into crisis. They aren’t statistics — they are people like Mary.

Mary has lived in her neighborhood for 45 years. She raised her children there. She welcomed new families as they arrived. But in the last five years, her rent has tripled. Grocery costs continue to climb. Her fixed income stays the same.

She’s not alone. Parents wait in long lines at food pantries. Families rebuilding after hurricanes face setback after setback. Newly arrived refugees are starting from scratch in unfamiliar places. And children with disabilities urgently need stable homes — not another year in limbo.

These are our neighbors. Today, they need more than empathy. They need action.

This Giving Tuesday, your generosity goes even further. Every $2 you give unlocks $1 more from Thrivent — multiplying your impact and putting real solutions within reach.

Your gift helps Inspiritus bridge the gaps, providing long-term, community-based support that keeps families housed, fed, stable, and on a path toward thriving.

Your Giving Tuesday donation can help:

• Keep Families in Their Homes – Protect seniors and working parents from being pushed out by rising costs.

• Rebuild After Disaster – Give families more than short-term relief — give them lasting stability.

• Help Newcomers Truly Belong – Support refugees and immigrants as they build homes, businesses, and futures.

• Fuel Economic Independence – Offer job training and small-business support that break the cycle of poverty.

• End Child and Family Hunger – Put real meals on the table for families who would otherwise go without.

• Create Safe Havens for the Vulnerable – Ensure children with disabilities and high-needs families are never left behind.

This crisis is real — but so is your power to change what happens next.

Every $2 multiplies into $3.
Every gift moves a family one step closer to stability.
Every act of generosity reminds our neighbors they’re not alone.

This Giving Tuesday, will you stand up for your community?

Give now. Change what happens for your neighbors.

Thank you for your support. 

With gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

For every $2 donated through Thrivent’s online giving platform on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Thrivent will match $1 up to an additional $20,000 per Thrivent Member Network. All donations in support of this fundraiser will be made through Thrivent CharitableTM. Thrivent will pay up to $300,000 in online processing fees per calendar year for personal donations made through Thrivent’s online giving platform.

Give the Gift of Hope This Holiday Season!

Dear Friend,

As we continue walking alongside newly arrived individuals and families each day, one truth remains constant: hope begins with community. And every year, that community includes you.

Across the Southeast, refugee families are preparing for their first winter in the United States. For many, it is a season of adjustment, unfamiliar cold, and new beginnings. And just as we do every year, Inspiritus is here — serving, supporting, and ensuring no family is left behind.

That’s why our annual Hope Tree campaign continues to matter so deeply. Together with congregations, partners, and neighbors like you, we collect new winter coats, gift cards, and donations so every family we accompany feels warmth, welcome, and belonging during the holidays.

This year, our goal is to collect 200 new coats for refugees rebuilding their lives in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, and Savannah. Your generosity ensures that each family has what they need to face their first winter in a new country — and to feel the love of their new community. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

🧥 Donate a New Winter Coat

• Give the gift of warmth to a newly arrived family. We’re collecting 200 new coats across our regional offices for distribution before the holidays.

🎁 Send a Gift Card

• Gift cards help us fill in the gaps—purchasing specific sizes, styles, or additional coats as needed. They’re also shared with families living in warmer areas like Savannah, where coats aren’t always required.

💛 Make a Donation

• Prefer to give online? Contributions to the Hope Tree Holiday Fund go directly toward purchasing coats and essential items for refugee families.

📦 Mail Donations by December 15

• Atlanta: 731 Peachtree St NE, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30308

• Birmingham: 117 Southcrest Dr, Suite 104, Birmingham, AL 35209

• Nashville: 3354 Perimeter Hill Drive, Suite #118, Nashville, TN 37211

• Savannah:10710 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31406

For questions, contact Sarah Burke, Community Engagement Manager, at communityengagement@weinspirit.org or 404-797-7505.

Your generosity reminds every refugee family that they are not alone–they are part of a community that cares. Thank you for helping us share warmth, hope, and belonging this holiday season.
 

With gratitude, 

Aimee Zangandou
Refugee & Immigrant Services
Executive Director
Inspiritus

A Statement From Our President & CEO

Dear Friends, 
 

This week holds deep personal significance for our team at Inspiritus. It marks 28 years since Aimee, our Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services, and her family arrived in the United States as refugees—seeking safety, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. The welcome they received changed the trajectory of Aimee’s life and made it possible for her to now serve others walking that same path.

It is from that lived experience that Aimee—and all of us at Inspiritus—respond with deep concern to the 2026 Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions, which sets the admissions ceiling at just 7,500 refugees, the lowest level in U.S. history, while explicitly prioritizing Afrikaners from South Africa. This decision represents a deeply disappointing retreat from the United States’ longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection.

At a moment of record global displacement, choosing to so drastically limit lifesaving protection is a profound abandonment of families fleeing war, persecution, and unimaginable violence. Many have already completed years of rigorous security screening and are simply waiting for the chance to rebuild their lives in safety. To close the door now—selectively and so drastically—is not only deeply disappointing, it is morally indefensible. It is an affront to Aimee, her family, and to refugees who have made our country stronger for generations. It means fewer families will receive the same life-changing chance Aimee’s family once did.

As the CEO of Inspiritus, I can assure you that refugees do not arrive as burdens; they arrive with skills, resilience, and an unwavering determination to rebuild. They become neighbors, entrepreneurs, essential workers, students, caregivers, and leaders. Our communities and economies are stronger because of refugees — Aimee is a testament to that truth.

Inspiritus remains steadfast in our mission to guide disrupted lives from surviving to thriving, and we will continue to advocate for policies that protect the vulnerable and strengthen the communities we serve.

Twenty-eight years ago, Aimee and her family’s future was transformed by the promise of safety and welcome. My hope — and conviction — is that America continues to offer that same promise to families seeking safety today, and that Inspiritus is able to be a part of this important work.

Sincerely,

John Moeller 
President & CEO 
Inspiritus

Sponsor and Support the 2025 Inspiritus Golf Tournament!

Dear Friend, 

What if a round of golf could provide meals for families, after-school enrichment for kids, and gardens for neighbors in need? On November 3, it can. Join us at the 2025 Inspiritus Golf Tournament at Temple Hills Country Club and help transform everyday swings into lasting impact.

By playing, sponsoring, or supporting this event, you invest in the most vulnerable families in Middle Tennessee — equipping them to heal, grow, and thrive. Every swing makes a difference:

• $125/Individual Golfer: Covers greens fees, cart, contests, and lunch — and provides after-school snacks for 30 children.

• $400/Team of 4: Includes all golfer benefits plus reserved team carts, recognition in the program, and provides raised garden beds for 2 families.

Want to make an even greater impact? Become a sponsor!

Your participation helps provide meals, enrichment, and support services for hundreds of neighbors across Middle Tennessee.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, November 3

• Location: Temple Hills Country Club

• Time: Breakfast/Check-in 8:30 AM | Tournament 9:00 AM

Thank you for your continued support and empowering the individuals and families we accompany on their paths from surviving to thriving.

We can’t wait to see you on the course!

For questions regarding the tournament, registration, or sponsorship, please contact Doug Werth at douglaswerth@me.com or Jack Ficken at jack.ficken@thrivent.com.

With gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Executive Director

Register for the 2025 Inspiritus Golf Tournament!

Hi Friend,

Most Monday mornings blend together: meetings, emails, the usual routine.

But November 3 is different.

That's the day your golf game creates measurable, lasting impact for families across Middle Tennessee. Real meals for kids. Real food growing outside neighbors' doors.

The Inspiritus Golf Tournament at Temple Hills Country Club turns one morning into life-changing support.

WHAT YOUR PARTICIPATION PROVIDES:

View this email in your browser

Hi Friend,

Most Monday mornings blend together: meetings, emails, the usual routine.

But November 3 is different.

That's the day your golf game creates measurable, lasting impact for families across Middle Tennessee. Real meals for kids. Real food growing outside neighbors' doors.

The Inspiritus Golf Tournament at Temple Hills Country Club turns one morning into life-changing support.

WHAT YOUR PARTICIPATION PROVIDES:

Individual Entry ($125)
→ Greens fees, cart, contests, and lunch
→ 30 kids get after-school meals

Team of 4 ($400)
→ Everything above + reserved team carts + program recognition
→ 2 families access fresh fruits & vegetables growing outside their front doors

This isn’t just golfing for charity. It’s about coming together and building community right here in Middle Tennessee to help families access what they need to thrive.

EVENT DETAILS:

📍 Temple Hills Country Club, Franklin, TN
☕️ Breakfast & Check-in: 8:00 AM
⏰ Shotgun Start: 9:00 AM
📅 Monday, November 3, 2025

Spots are filling fast. Once they're gone, the opportunity to join this tournament won’t happen again until next year. We’d love to see you!

Questions? Contact douglaswerth@me.com or jack.ficken@thrivent.com.

With gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Executive Director

P.S. Can't make it November 3? You can still create impact by sponsoring a hole or forwarding this to someone who should be there. Every connection matters!

200 Homes Repaired. 4 New Recoveries Launched.

Dear Friend, 

At Inspiritus, we believe that healing begins at home. A safe roof, sturdy walls, and a place to rest your head each night—these are more than just physical structures. They’re a foundation for recovery, dignity, and hope.

That’s why we’re proud to share that, thanks to your support, Inspiritus is winding down our long-term recovery operations in Fort Myers, Florida—where we've repaired more than 200 homes damaged by Hurricane Ian. These homes now stand as beacons of resilience and renewal, and we are grateful to every volunteer, donor, and partner who helped make this incredible milestone possible.

As one chapter closes, another begins.

We’re now turning our focus to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, with four new long-term recovery programs launched across the Southeast: Valdosta, GA | Savannah, GA | Mountain City, TN | Polk County, FL

Each of these areas faces a long road ahead—but with your continued support, we’re walking alongside families every step of the way, restoring homes, rebuilding hope, and assuring our neighbors that they’re not alone.

To help lead this important work, we’re thrilled to welcome Jaime Mok as our new Executive Director of Disaster Relief. Jaime brings nearly two decades of global humanitarian experience — including with Habitat for Humanity International — and a deep commitment to community resilience and dignity. His leadership will strengthen our capacity to respond swiftly and compassionately to disasters across the southeast. Click the button below to read more about Jamie's appointment in Metro Atlanta CEO. 

How You Can Help

Our ability to serve depends on the generosity and commitment of people like you. If you feel called to help, there are two ways to get involved today: Join us on the ground to help families rebuild or make a gift to support materials, tools, and staffing needed for home repairs.

Whether you give your time, your resources, or your voice—you are a vital part of this work. Together, we’re transforming communities, one home at a time.
 

With gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

A Congolese Family in Savannah Needs Your Support Today

Dear Friend,

When violence erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Amani and his wife Liliane had no choice but to flee with their three children. Persecuted and afraid, they left behind everything they knew in search of safety—and found it in Savannah, Georgia.

But arriving in the United States was only the beginning.

Starting over in a new country, with a new language and new systems, is overwhelming. Amani now works long hours in a warehouse while Liliane cares for their children and dreams of going back to school to become a nurse. Their children are adapting quickly, but the summer brings new challenges—especially the need for food assistance and structured youth programming while school is out.

This is where you come in.

Your donation today will help Inspiritus provide essential services to refugee families like Amani and Liliane’s—afterschool and summer programs for their children, job training, food assistance, and more.

In the last year alone, Inspiritus has served 5,380 refugees across Atlanta, Savannah, Nashville, and Birmingham—including 689 refugees from the Congo.

But demand is growing while funding is shrinking.

Families like Amani’s have the strength and determination to succeed—they just need the resources to get there. Your gift today can bridge that gap and help turn their hopes into real, lasting opportunity. 

Will you help us empower more families to thrive in their new homes?

Thank you for being part of this life-changing work.

With heartfelt thanks,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Help Ahmed and His Family Rebuild Their Lives in Atlanta

Dear Friend,

Before the fall of Kabul, Ahmed and his wife were respected professionals in Afghanistan. Ahmed served as a doctor, and his wife was a university language professor. Together, they dedicated their lives to education, health, and public service.

When the Taliban took over, everything changed. Their work for the Afghan government put their family at risk, forcing them to flee with their two young children and leave behind the careers—and life—they had built.

Today, they are rebuilding from the ground up in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ahmed and his wife have found entry-level jobs and are doing everything they can to provide for their family. But their true goal is to return to their professions—to once again teach, heal, and contribute in meaningful ways to their new community. To do that, they need access to career upskilling and credentialing support—and their children need a safe, enriching space after school while their parents work and study.

That’s where Inspiritus—and you—come in.

Your donation today can help Ahmed and his wife earn the certifications they need to return to their careers, and provide their children with afterschool programming that supports academic and emotional development.

At Inspiritus, we’ve spent more than 40 years walking alongside refugees like Ahmed’s family—providing job training, youth programming, and essential resources to help families rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. But recent funding cuts have put these vital services at risk for thousands of refugees who depend on us to help meet their needs.

In the last year alone, Inspiritus has served 5,380 refugees across Atlanta, Savannah, Nashville, and Birmingham—including 1,181 refugees from Afghanistan.

With your help, we can invest in the potential of families like Ahmed’s—turning surviving into thriving.

 

Thank you for believing in the dreams of refugee families and helping them thrive in their new home.

With heartfelt thanks,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

URGENT: Contact Your Representative to Protect Immigrants

Dear Friend,

At Inspiritus, we walk alongside individuals and families on their path from surviving to thriving. 

Today, that journey is under threat for thousands of refugees and immigrants across the country—including many of the people we serve every day in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.

The U.S. Senate just passed a sweeping budget bill that includes the largest immigration enforcement funding package in modern history —dramatically increasing funding for detention, deportation, and border enforcement, while slashing essential support for lawful immigrants, refugees, and asylees.

Now, the bill is headed to the House of Representatives—and we have a short window to act.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: 

• Ending SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare eligibility for refugees and other lawfully present immigrants

• Imposing unprecedented new fees on humanitarian immigration applications

• Dramatic increases in federal funding for detention and deportation programs

The House is expected to vote as early as July 2. Now is the time to make your voice heard.

TAKE ACTION:

Call or email your Representative and urge them to vote NO on this harmful legislation. Together, we can protect the dignity, safety, and rights of our newest neighbors.

Click the button below to send an email, or call your Representative's office directly to speak to staff or leave a voicemail. Every action matters! 

Thank you for standing with us—and with the families and individuals we accompany.

 

With gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Refugee & Immigrant Services
Executive Director

RSVP: Together, We’re Creating Space for Our Community to Thrive

Dear Friend, 

We’re proud to share what’s coming to North Nashville. On April 17, we break ground on a campus designed to meet real needs—now and into the future.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Details:

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2024 

Location: 1622 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 

Time: 

• 12:30 PM – Guest Arrival & Community Gathering 

• 1:00 PM – Ceremony 

• 1:30 PM – Photos & Light Refreshments (light sandwiches, fruit, and beverages) 

This a friendly reminder to RSVP if you haven’t already. Please click the button below to RSVP by April 11.

Add event to calendar

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Please Note: This is an active construction site. We recommend wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Parking information will be shared with all confirmed guests prior to the event.

This space is being built with and for our neighbors—designed to meet real needs and strengthen our community. 

We are deeply grateful to the partners, funders, and supporters who have already invested in bringing this vision to life. Your commitment is helping create a lasting impact for generations to come.  

If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to invest in this transformational work, there’s still time to make a meaningful impact. We’re working to close a $2.5M funding gap that will ensure neighbors have access to the critical programs and resources they deserve.  

Questions? Contact Kia Jarmon at kia@mepragency.com 

Sincerely, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Inspiritus

Inspiritus North Nashville Groundbreaking – April 17, 2024

Dear Friend, 

We are honored to invite you to a special moment for North Nashville. On Thursday, April 17, 2024, Inspiritus will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of our campus—a project centered on dignity, service, and long-term community investment. 

This groundbreaking represents more than a construction milestone. It is a celebration of North Nashville’s resilience and potential. Together, we are building hope, opportunity, and space for our community to thrive.

About the Development: 

This new Inspiritus campus will expand our reach and deepen our impact by:

In a time when nearly one in three renters in Tennessee are spending more than half of their income on housing, and as the supply of affordable senior housing continues to decline, this redevelopment is a timely and critical response to the needs of our neighbors. 

Groundbreaking Ceremony Details:

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2024 

Location: 1622 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 

Time: 

• 12:30 PM – Guest Arrival & Community Gathering 

• 1:00 PM – Ceremony 

• 1:30 PM – Photos & Light Refreshments (light sandwiches, fruit, and beverages) 

Please Note: This is an active construction site. We recommend wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Parking information will be shared with all confirmed guests prior to the event.

Click the button below to RSVP by April 11.

Add event to calendar

Apple  Google  Office 365  Outlook  Outlook.com  Yahoo  

If you have any questions or would like additional details, please contact Kia Jarmon at kia@mepragency.com

We would be honored to have you with us as we celebrate the beginning of a transformative chapter—for North Nashville and for the people who proudly call it home.  

Sincerely, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Inspiritus