See You Tomorrow! Groundbreaking Celebration + Parking Details

Dear Friend,

We’re just ONE DAY away from celebrating the beginning of something beautiful in North Nashville! 

We’re not just creating housing—we’re creating space where local neighbors can thrive. 

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) 

Parking: Free parking is available on the far side of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Additional street parking can be found along 7th Avenue North, behind the Women’s Rescue Mission. Guests may also park at Boyce Street Baptist Church, conveniently located next door to the event site.

This is a space designed for community—built from the legacy of service, shaped by love for our neighbors, and sustained by the belief that North Nashville deserves lasting investment. 

We hope you’ll join us as we break ground on a future rooted in respect for the past and commitment to what’s ahead.

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

Apple  Google  Office 365  Outlook  Outlook.com  Yahoo  

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.

Questions? Contact Kia Jarmon at kia@mepragency.com 

We can’t wait to celebrate this community milestone with you!

Sincerely, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Inspiritus

Honoring the Legacy. Building for the Future.

Dear Friend,

At Inspiritus, we believe that every square foot of space we occupy should serve a greater purpose. That’s why the redevelopment of our North Nashville campus is more than a project—it’s a commitment to honor the original intent of this sacred ground. 

We were fortunate to secure our property at the corner of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard and Garfield Street—the former site of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church—thanks to the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Their dedication to Christ's call to love our neighbors as ourselves made this opportunity possible. 

We are deeply grateful for their trust, and we recognize our responsibility to carry that vision forward. This land was entrusted to us with the hope that it would continue to serve the community—and we are determined to make sure it does. 

This is a space designed for community—built from the legacy of service, shaped by love for our neighbors, and sustained by the belief that North Nashville deserves lasting investment. 

We hope you’ll join us as we break ground on a future rooted in respect for the past and commitment to what’s ahead.

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

Apple  Google  Office 365  Outlook  Outlook.com  Yahoo  

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.

Questions? Contact Kia Jarmon at kia@mepragency.com 

We would be honored to have you with us as we celebrate this next chapter—anchored in purpose, powered by partnership, and built for our community!

Sincerely, 

Janet Arning
Executive Director
Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services
Inspiritus

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

Apple  Google  Office 365  Outlook  Outlook.com  Yahoo  

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

Day 19: Middle Tennessee Floods & Hurricane Ida Update

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus Response teams are still on the ground in Waverly, Tennessee following last month’s deadly floods, and will serve this community for at least a month. We have now extended our time on the ground to six weeks, thanks to the generous support of donors like you.

We are also on the ground in Louisiana where we are purifying water for communities in need. Our team first arrived in Metairie, LA over Labor Day weekend with our new WOW Cart, which can purify 6,000-10,000 gallons of water per day and we are now providing pure water to communities without.

An Inspiritus volunteer is supporting this homeowner by assessing her home's needs and helping her connect with volunteers from our VOAD partner, Team Rubicon.

WHAT WE ARE DOING (Day 19 Update)

• Volunteer Housing Camp (TN): Inspiritus' Disaster Relief staff and team leads began arriving in Waverly, TN on August 22 and are living at a temporary Inspiritus Volunteer Responder Housing camp.

• Volunteer Reception Center (TN): Our team has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Humphreys County, in partnership with the County and TEMA. The VRC is operating in front of the Dollar Tree in Waverly, TN. (The purpose of a VRC in a disaster zone is to provide a location where all volunteers who show up to help can register and be assigned to organized projects where they are needed most.)

• Assistance Call Center (TN): The call center has been relocated to operate in the VRC and is being supported by Inspiritus oversight. (A Call Center receives requests for assistance and aid.)

• Distribution Resource Center (TN): Inspiritus teams are helping manage the Distribution Resource Center at the Humphreys County fairgrounds. (A Distribution Resource Center is established as a centralized resource where donated resources are received and redistributed to multiple distribution sites throughout the impacted communities.)

• Debris Removal, Muck & Gut (TN): Our team leads are actively deploying volunteers to provide debris removal and muck & gut services. (Debris Removal: Volunteers use chainsaws, heavy equipment and gloves to remove fallen trees and debris. Muck & Gut: Volunteers wear full body safety gear to enter flooded homes and remove damaged sheetrock, cabinetry, flooring, belongings, etc. These free services often save each homeowner up to $30,000.)

• Demolition (TN): Volunteers are actively deploying to conduct heavy equipment demolition of private properties.

• Water Purification (LA): Volunteers are purifying water in Louisiana with our new WaterStep WOW Cart, which can purify up to 10k gallons a day.

“Without Inspiritus and the leadership they’ve provided to the VOAD [Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster], we could not have responded to this crisis effectively and would have had to muddle through. We are a small jurisdiction with a small public safety team and their [Inspiritus] partnership was essential. We are months ahead of where we would have been, thanks to Inspiritus.” -Officer John Chapman, Incident Commander, Humphreys County Sheriff’s Department

Photo: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee with Inspiritus' Sherry Buresh and the Humphreys County Assistant Incident Commander and Colleague.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground helping homeowners impacted by the flooding. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and property demolition to families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

Donate to The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: Donations may also be made to support the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA disaster relief efforts (i.e. volunteer mobilization, emotional and spiritual care, material resources to help families, etc.). Donations may be made here.

VOLUNTEER

This work would not be possible without hundreds of HEROIC volunteers, including those who have driven in locally, as well as Team Leads who have come in from around the country and are living in Waverly, TN at our local Volunteer Housing Camp for the month.

Prayerfully consider joining us in Waverly, TN now through October 1. We especially need Team Leads to guide volunteer groups with Muck & Gut and Debris Removal, but all hands are welcome and all skills can be helpful. Please contact Sherry Buresh: sherry.buresh@weinspirit.org.

Volunteer setting up Inspiritus' Water-on-Wheels Mobile Water Cart (W.O.W. Cart) donated by Waterstep.

Volunteers in Waverly, TN, helping to load supplies from the Distribution Resource Center

OUR PARTNERS

Inspiritus' teams could not serve without the support of our partners. The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA has generously provided a $10,000 contribution to help rapidly deploy Inspiritus teams to Waverly, TN. With this support, we are helping manage the Humphreys County Volunteer Reception Center, Volunteer Distribution Center, and the Volunteer Responders Housing Camp, while also training and deploying volunteer teams to assess and provide homeowners with debris removal and muck & gut services.

Partners collaborating with us include:

• The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA

• Lowe's

• International Orthodox Christian Charities

• Mennonite Disaster Services

• Airlink

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)

• Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TN VOAD)

• Toolbank USA

• Humphreys County Emergency Management Office

• Incident Commander & Sheriff's Office

Please continue to join us in prayer for those families impacted, and for the strength of the volunteers serving on the ground now. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 12: Middle Tennessee Flooding Update

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus Response teams are still on the ground in Waverly, Tennessee following last week’s deadly flash floods, and will serve this community for at least a month.

This work would not be possible without hundreds of HEROIC volunteers, including those who have driven in locally, as well as Team Leads who have come in from around the country and are living at our local Volunteer Housing Camp for the month.

Volunteers from across the country are welcomed and deployed at the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) operating inside of a grocery store in Waverly, TN. The VRC is managed by Inspiritus in partnership with the County and TEMA.

There is an urgent need for assistance to continue the work of helping the hundreds of families whose homes were flooded last week. Inspiritus is committed to continuing our work in Middle Tennessee, both in communities impacted by last week’s floods, as well as in South Nashville, where the recovery efforts from earlier floods are just getting underway.

Inspiritus Disaster Relief Director, Sherry Buresh, helps us collaborate with other organizations who want to help. Shown here: Veteran owned Houston County Coffee Company from Erin, TN. (@hococoffeecompany)

WHAT WE ARE DOING (Day 12 Update)

• Volunteer Housing Camp: Inspiritus' Disaster Relief staff and team leads began arriving in Waverly, TN on August 22 and are living at a temporary Inspiritus Volunteer Responder Housing camp.

• Volunteer Reception Center: Our team has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Humphreys County, in partnership with the County and TEMA. The VRC is operating in front of the Dollar Tree in Waverly, TN. (The purpose of a VRC in a disaster zone is to provide a location where all volunteers who show up to help can register and be assigned to organized projects where they are needed most.)

• Assistance Call Center: The call center has been relocated to operate in the VRC and is being supported by Inspiritus oversight. (A Call Center receives requests for assistance and aid.)

• Distribution Resource Center: Inspiritus teams are helping manage the Distribution Resource Center at the Humphreys County fairgrounds. (A Distribution Resource Center is established as a centralized resource where donated resources are received and redistributed to multiple distribution sites throughout the impacted communities.)

• Debris Removal, Muck & Gut: Our team leads are actively deploying volunteers to provide debris removal and muck & gut services. (Debris Removal: Volunteers use chainsaws, heavy equipment and gloves to remove fallen trees and debris. Muck & Gut: Volunteers wear full body safety gear to enter flooded homes and remove damaged sheetrock, cabinetry, flooring, belongings, etc. These free services often save each homeowner up to $30,000.)

• Demolition: Volunteers are actively deploying to conduct heavy equipment demolition of private properties.
  

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground helping homeowners impacted by the flooding. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and property demolition to families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

Donate to The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: Donations may also be made to support the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA disaster relief efforts (i.e. volunteer mobilization, emotional and spiritual care, material resources to help families, etc.). Donations may be made here.

VOLUNTEER

Prayerfully consider joining us in Waverly, TN between September 2-18. Please contact Sherry Buresh: sherry.buresh@weinspirit.org.

An Inspiritus Volunteer meets with a homeowner to assess their needs before sending out a volunteer team to remove flood damaged flooring, sheet rock and cabinetry.

OUR PARTNERS

Inspiritus' teams could not serve without the support of our partners. The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA has generously provided a $10,000 contribution to help rapidly deploy Inspiritus teams to Waverly, TN. With this support, we are helping to setup and manage the Volunteer Reception Center, Volunteer Responders Housing Camp, and training and deploying volunteer teams to provide homeowners with debris removal and muck & gut services.

Additional partners collaborating with us include:

• Lowe's

• International Orthodox Christian Charities

• Mennonite Disaster Services

• Airlink

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)

• Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TN VOAD)

• Toolbank USA

• Humphreys County Emergency Management Office

• Incident Commander & Sheriff's Office

Please continue to join us in prayer for those families impacted, and for the strength of the volunteers serving on the ground now. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 9: Middle Tennessee Flooding and Hurricane Ida Preparations

Dear Friend,

We are following the path of Hurricane Ida and praying for the families impacted. Strong projections indicate that Hurricane Ida will arrive in Middle Tennessee at 2pm (CT), today. Inspiritus Response teams are still on the ground in Waverly, Tennessee following last week’s deadly flash floods. All operations in Waverly will shut down today at 1:30pm (CT), to allow staff and volunteers to shelter in our base camp, where there is a lower risk of flooding.

All weekend, our teams and thousands of volunteers focused on supporting local mitigation efforts to prepare for the arrival of Ida in Tennessee. Volunteers used heavy machinery and chainsaws to conduct a massive debris removal effort, to prevent debris from last week’s flash floods from causing further damages to the homes and infrastructure already impacted.

There is an urgent need for assistance to continue the work of helping the hundreds of families whose homes were flooded last week. These families are now at risk of a “double disaster” as Hurricane Ida arrives this afternoon. Inspiritus teams are committed to continuing our help in Middle Tennessee, both in communities impacted by last week’s floods, as well as in South Nashville, where the recovery efforts from earlier floods are just getting underway.

As we continue to assess the damages caused by Hurricane Ida, we will update you with ways you can help.

WHAT WE ARE DOING (Day 9 Update)

• Volunteer Housing Camp: Inspiritus' Disaster Relief staff and team leads began arriving in Waverly, TN on August 22 and have setup an Inspiritus Volunteer Responder Housing camp near Waverly, TN

• Volunteer Reception Center: Our team has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Humphreys County, in partnership with the County and TEMA. The VRC is operating in front of the Dollar Tree in Waverly, TN. (The purpose of a VRC in a disaster zone is to provide a location where all volunteers who show up to help can register and be assigned to organized projects where they are needed most.)

• Assistance Call Center: The call center has been relocated to operate in the VRC and is being supported by Inspiritus oversight. (A Call Center receives requests for assistance and aid.)

• Distribution Resource Center: Inspiritus teams are helping manage the Distribution Resource Center at the Humphreys County fairgrounds. (A Distribution Resource Center is established as a centralized resource where donated resources are received and redistributed to multiple distribution sites throughout the impacted communities.)

• Debris Removal, Muck & Gut: Our team leads are actively deploying volunteers to provide debris removal and muck & gut services. (Debris Removal: Volunteers use chainsaws, heavy equipment and gloves to remove fallen trees and debris. Muck & Gut: Volunteers wear full body safety gear to enter flooded homes and remove damaged sheetrock, cabinetry, flooring, belongings, etc. These free services often save each homeowner up to $30,000.)

• Demolition: Volunteers are actively deploying to conduct heavy equipment demolition of private properties.
  

  As Hurricane Ida is anticipated to arrive at 2pm (CT) today, our operations will shut-down by 1:30pm (CT) to allow staff and volunteers to shelter in a safe place that is low risk from flooding.
  

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help homeowners impacted by the flooding. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and property demolition to help families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

Donate to The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: Donations may also be made to support the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA disaster relief efforts (i.e. volunteer mobilization, emotional and spiritual care, material resources to help families, etc.). Donations may be made here.

VOLUNTEER

Prayerfully consider joining us in the following weeks. Opportunities to volunteer will be communicated soon.

OUR PARTNERS

Inspiritus' teams could not serve without the support of our partners. The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA has generously provided a $10,000 contribution to help rapidly deploy Inspiritus teams to Waverly, TN. With this support, we are helping to setup and manage the Volunteer Reception Center, Volunteer Responders Housing Camp, and training and deploying volunteer teams to provide homeowners with debris removal and muck & gut services.

Additional partners collaborating with us include:

• Airlink

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)

• Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TN VOAD)

• Toolbank USA

• Humphreys County Emergency Management Office

• Incident Commander & Sheriff's Office

Please continue to join us in prayer for those families impacted, those in danger still, and for the strength of the volunteers serving on the ground now.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Disaster Relief Concert Canceled

Concert Supporting Middle Tennessee Homes Impacted By Tornado/Floods Set For August 29, 2021 At Hop Springs Murfreesboro To Be Rescheduled

(Nashville, Tennessee) – August 23, 2021

Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the decision has been made to reschedule the 1st Annual Disaster Relief Concert benefiting homeowners assisted by Inspiritus Disaster Relief efforts in Middle Tennessee. Originally planned for Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Hop Springs Murfreesboro, Craig Campbell, CJ Solar, Presley & Taylor, Mark McKay and Liam Coleman were scheduled to perform and comedian Reno Collier was set to guest host and emcee.

“We appreciate all of the artists who committed to perform, Hop Springs for hosting, our media partners Cumulus Radio and the Murfreesboro Pulse and all of the volunteers who were working tirelessly on this fun event,” said Virginia Spencer of Inspiritus. “The needs are still great, as many families in Davidson, Wilson, and Putnam counties still need our help restoring their homes from the floods and tornados. With the help of our partners and generous volunteers across Middle Tennessee, Inspiritus is determined to help them return home again. To donate to help these families: www.weinspirit.org/donate.”

Fans can still support disaster relief – and be a hero to yourself, spouse or significant other – by visiting the Kendra Scott Green Hills location in the Hill Center, 4025 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 505. Shoppers who mention Inspiritus when making jewelry purchases August 26-28, 2021 will have 20% of their purchases donated to the Inspiritus Disaster Relief Fund.

Visit https://kendrascottxinspiritus.splashthat.com for more details and to shop online.

For ticket refund information, visit www.bit.ly/InspiritusConcert.

About Inspiritus:

Inspiritus is a nonprofit social service agency that guides individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted on a path from surviving to thriving. In 2019, Lutheran Services in Tennessee and Lutheran Services of Georgia joined forces and became known as Inspiritus. The name “Inspiritus” derives from the latin term “inspirit”, which means “to fill with strength or courage.” To “inspirit” is what Inspiritus does. Inspiritus helps individuals and families discover their inner strength and resilience, leading to a more fulfilling life. See www.weinspirit.org to learn more or donate.

For more information, contact: Craig Campbell, craig@campbellentgrp.com

Inspiritus Art Therapy Projects in the News!

'We should just come together.' Murfreesboro kids work with art therapist, design mural about racism.

Last week, News Channel 5 featured students at the McFadden Community Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The kids worked with Devon Billions-Gomez, an Inspiritus art therapist, on a mural designed to help process the difficult issue of racism in the world.

"Bright no matter the color" was the centerpiece of the mural. It was a quote submitted by 13-year-old Inspiritus Thrive Studios artist, Mackensie Hall.

Watch the coverage by clicking on the image below:

Many of the kids expressed a desire for racism to be erased and tackled the difficult subject by painting a vibrant rainbow and fists in different skin colors.

"The kids need to know their voices matter...they are having their own full life experiences just as much as we are."

– Devon Billions-Gomez, Inspiritus Art Therapist

Last month, another one of our murals was featured in the news thanks to the hard work and dedication of Inspiritus art therapist, Devon Billions-Gomez.

This mural was created by artist Omari Booker and children from the Cheatham Place public housing community in North Nashville. Devon and Omari worked closely with the kids to create this mural currently on view at the Local Distro building in Nashville.

Please consider a donation to our Thrive Studios Program so we can continue to empower these children on their path from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

Inspirational Gardening

Hello Friends,

As we head into the holiday weekend, we are reminded of the joys of enjoying outdoor activities. With weather this warm, it's prime gardening time. We'd like to share the story of a very special gardener who is near and dear to our hearts: Charlie Jones.

Charlie lives at MDHA's Cheatham Place and is an active participant in our Healthy Gardens program. From tilling the soil to thoughtfully caring for each fruit and vegetable, Charlie sees his garden as an opportunity to not only be self-sufficient (he lost both legs a few years ago), but to also plant seeds of inspiration within his neighbors throughout Cheatham Place.

Watch Charlie's story by clicking on the image below:

Charlie Jones, our wonderful gardener from Cheatham Place

Our Healthy Gardens program has been helping people like Charlie since 2011. We started with just 12 gardens for elderly, parents, and children in low-income areas. Those 12 initial gardens have now grown to over 204+ gardens in three counties in Middle Tennessee!

Through Healthy Gardens, families and individuals have easy and free access to fruits and vegetables to supplement their meals as well as a healthy outlet for relieving stress and staying active.

Another resident at Cheatham Place gardening

Your donations help us empower these vulnerable friends of ours with the opportunity to increase their food security, as well as improve their overall health and well-being.

We hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy during these upcoming summer months. Thank you for your prayers and support. I pray you have a fun and restful Memorial Day weekend!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

More Cheatham Place residents enjoying our annual plant day. The beginning of May marked 10 YEARS of GARDENING for our wonderful gardeners in Cheatham Place.

Nashville Flood Update: Month #2

Dear Friends,

We've had over 117 volunteers assist our disaster relief efforts in Tennessee following the devastating floods that ravaged the Nashville region in late March.

We're so grateful for the hard work of our volunteer team leaders: Nicholas Rhine, Dave Marsh, and Julie Dimitrov. They're leading amazing volunteers serving with us in partnership with Hands On Nashville.

Volunteer team leader - Nicholas Rhine

Our team has completed:

• 51 jobs
• 25 homes
•150 crisis clean-up calls
• 298 volunteer days
• 1,035.5 volunteer hours

Overall, our disaster relief work has impacted 99 individuals in the Nashville region, and we have 10+ homes in the queue. We estimate there may be 30+ more additional homes in need of our services in the month ahead.

To see coverage of our work and collaboration with Hands On Nashville–watch a News4Nashville clip here.

Volunteer clearing debris from flood waters

Tennessee's flood event left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damage to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus has been on the ground in South Nashville for flood survivors and leading volunteer teams to provide free muck and gut services.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with our partners: Hands On Nashville, Nashville and Tennessee VOADs, and the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA.

What:

Inspiritus is providing free muck and gut services to flood-damaged homes throughout South Nashville. As temperatures rise, waterlogged flooring and walls will exhibit rapid mold growth – which often poses long-term health risks for the residents in the home.

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such a Tyvek suits and N95 respirators masks, are crucial in protecting our volunteer teams as they remove debris from impacted households. Our crews are currently providing the following services:

• volunteer team management

• muck & gut

• mold sanitation

• mitigation

• chainsaw

• debris removal

• sort & salvage

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

To volunteer in Nashville, please sign up through Hands On Nashville HERE

DONATE TODAY: click here or checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

We're grateful to be working closely with our local community partners. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. We’re preparing to extend our response in Nashville for up to another month to make sure every homeowner receives the help they need during this stage of their recovery. Your support makes this possible.

Thank you for your continued prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

There's Still Time to Give to The Big Payback !

Hi Friends,

The Big Payback ends tonight! If you haven't made a donation-there's still time to support our Middle Tennessee programs. Plus, there is a $100 match for every organization that raises $100 by 12pm today!

We're so grateful to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for holding this annual 24-hour online giving event. Every donation helps Inspiritus raise funds and brings awareness to pressing needs in our community.

Here are ways you can help:

$25 will help end hunger for families in need

Inspiritus is providing food to the most vulnerable of families throughout Middle Tennessee, especially seniors and those living with disabilities. Your gift will ensure these families have the food they need this month.

Donate HERE

$50 will provide art therapy kits for kids

Inspiritus is guiding children through healthy ways of coping with traumatic experiences. Your gift will provide art therapy kits for children living in low income communities in Middle Tennessee.

Donate HERE

$125 will help build gardens for hungry families

Inspiritus is planting hundreds of home gardens for families and seniors living in low-income communities and food deserts. Your gift will help build two gardens this month.

Donate HERE

$250 will help families impacted by the pandemic

A year later, COVID-19 is still impacting families across Middle Tennessee. Your gift will ensure these families receive the help they need.

Donate HERE

$500 will help give hope to tornado & flood survivors

Inspiritus is assisting families whose homes have been damaged by recent floods in Nashville. We are still on the ground in Cookeville helping families rebuild after last year’s tornado. Your gift will ensure these families have the help they need to recover and thrive again.

Donate HERE

Thank you for your donations during this very important fundraising day!

Even if you're unable to give, you can show your support today by sharing this email across your personal and social networks. Please use the hashtags #TheBigPayback and #Inspiritus when sharing across your social networks.

Your generosity will help more individuals and families get back on the path from surviving to thriving. We are so grateful for your support.

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Regional Director, Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus

The Big Payback Starts Today!

Hi Friends,

The Big Payback starts today! The next 24-hours is a very important fundraising event for us. Join us and please spread the word.

The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day which shines a spotlight on local giving and motivates Middle Tennessee to “give back” in a big way.

This 24-hour online giving event helps Inspiritus raise funds and brings awareness to pressing needs in our community. It’s also the prime time of year to give!

Here are ways you can help:

$25 will help end hunger for families in need

Inspiritus is providing food to the most vulnerable of families throughout Middle Tennessee, especially seniors and those living with disabilities. Your gift will ensure these families have the food they need this month.

Donate HERE

$50 will provide art therapy kits for kids

Inspiritus is guiding children through healthy ways of coping with traumatic experiences. Your gift will provide art therapy kits for children living in low income communities in Middle Tennessee.

Donate HERE

$125 will help build gardens for hungry families

Inspiritus is planting hundreds of home gardens for families and seniors living in low-income communities and food deserts. Your gift will help build two gardens this month.

Donate HERE

$250 will help families impacted by the pandemic

A year later, COVID-19 is still impacting families across Middle Tennessee. Your gift will ensure these families receive the help they need.

Donate HERE

$500 will help give hope to tornado & flood survivors

Inspiritus is assisting families whose homes have been damaged by recent floods in Nashville. We are still on the ground in Cookeville helping families rebuild after last year’s tornado. Your gift will ensure these families have the help they need to recover and thrive again.

Donate HERE

Thank you for your donations during this very important fundraising day!

Even if you're unable to give, you can show your support today by sharing this email across your personal and social networks. Please use the hashtags #TheBigPayback and #Inspiritus when sharing across your social networks.

Your generosity will help more individuals and families get back on the path from surviving to thriving. We are so grateful for your support.

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Regional Director, Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus