Dear Friends and Community Partners,

As we close out the year and step with hope into a brand-new one, we reflect on the lives touched, the milestones achieved, and the compassion that made it all possible. Your generosity, partnership, prayers, and volunteer support fueled every act of care, safety, and dignity we were able to offer.

Thank you for standing with us – and with our neighbors who need us most.

Below is a look back at the impact we made together this year, and the exciting work ahead as we continue building a stronger and more compassionate community.

 

SafeHouse – A Year of Growth, Safety, and New Beginnings

This year marked a transformational milestone for SafeHouse with the completion of our renovation project – allowing us to almost triple our capacity to serve survivors of domestic violence and their children.

With expanded bedroom space, improved accessibility, and safer shared living areas, more families than ever were able to find refuge, healing, and stability.

This year, SafeHouse provided:
• Total clients served: 304
• Nights of safe shelter: 2,227
• Case management, advocacy, and support services for all clients served

Because of you, more survivors were able to say:
“I am safe. My children are safe. I have hope for my future.”

 

Our Chance – A Research Program Supporting Economic Stability

Clarksville Area Urban Ministries partnered with the State of Tennessee to host a pilot program called Our Chance, implemented in collaboration with the Tennessee Alliance for Economic Mobility (TAEM). Through this initiative, we are able to serve up to 75 families at a time, providing individualized case management and coordinated support to help them address barriers such as housing stability, employment, childcare access, transportation, and financial security.

The program focuses on helping families successfully navigate the benefits cliff while building long-term independence and economic stability. Participants work alongside program staff to set goals, strengthen support systems, and increase access to opportunities that reduce reliance on government assistance and create a foundation for a more stable and sustainable future.

While exact data collection is still in progress, we have already seen many participating families successfully navigate the benefits cliff, reduce or fully eliminate their reliance on government assistance, and move toward greater self-sufficiency.

 

Grace Assistance Program (GAP) – Meeting Essential Needs

Through the Grace Assistance Program, we walk alongside individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, hunger, and housing instability – helping bridge the gap during their moments of crises.

This year, GAP provided:
•    Food boxes distributed: 2,830
•    Homeless outreach bags distributed: 3,636
•    Total individuals served: 3,343 (523 of this total are people experiencing homelessness)
•    Total families served: 1,251

Every food box, every resource referral, and every conversation is a reminder that no one should have to face hardship alone.

Thank you for helping us provide nourishment, dignity, and hope.

 

Emergency Warming Shelter – A Lifesaving Community Effort

When temperatures drop below safe levels, our Emergency Warming Shelter opens to ensure that no one in our community is left out in the cold.

One of the most significant changes to our Emergency Warming Shelter this year is our partnership with several community agencies, which allows us to operate multiple locations for men, women, and families. This collaborative model has strengthened client safety compared to previous years, when men and women were sheltered within the same facility without natural separation such as separate floors or buildings. In addition, this change has allowed our men’s location to focus services and increase oversight, since the removal of mixed demographics has resulted in a natural reduction in capacity.

So far this winter season, we have served:
• Individual Men sheltered: 86

Last year, we served:
• Individuals (Men and Women) sheltered last season: 208

We are deeply grateful to the volunteers, churches, community partners, donors, and civic organizations who make this lifesaving effort possible.

Your compassion truly saves lives.

 

Greatest Needs – How You Can Help in the New Year

As our programs grow, so do the needs of the individuals and families we serve.

Our current greatest needs include:

SafeHouse:
•    Gas cards and transportation support
•    Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
•    Financial support for client needs

Grace Assistance Program (GAP):
•    Food items suitable for unhoused clients such as peanut butter crackers, chips, fruit cups, granola and protein bars, etc.
•    Cold weather gear such as gloves, hats, handwarmers, etc.
•    Financial support for assistance services

Emergency Warming Shelter:
•    Volunteer support for shelter operations
•    Hot Chocolate
•    Powder Creamer
•    Sugar
•    Towels and washcloths
•    Meal support for shelter nights

General Support Needs:
•    Unrestricted program funding
•    Monthly donor partners
•    Community ambassadors and volunteers

Every contribution – financial, material, or time – directly touches lives.

 

Looking Ahead – Hope, Partnership, and Community Impact

This year reminded us that resilience is built through community.

Because of you…

Families found safety.
Neighbors received food and support.
Individuals without shelter found warmth and compassion.

As we enter the new year, we remain committed to:
• Expanding access to services
• Strengthening programs and partnerships
• Building pathways toward stability, safety, and dignity

One of the biggest efforts coming this year is our Support Services and Stability Center Initiative. Many community members have asked thoughtful questions about this initiative. Here are answers to a few of the most common ones we receive.

What is the goal of the initiative?
Our goal for this initiative is to expand the services currently provided through our Emergency Warming Shelter and align them with the supportive resources offered through The Well. By building on the foundation of emergency, weather-based sheltering and connecting guests to case management, resource navigation, and stability-focused services, we aim to create a more continuous and coordinated pathway of support. This expansion will allow individuals experiencing homelessness to move beyond short-term crisis shelter and engage in services that promote safety, stability, and long-term housing success.

Who will we serve?
Adults experiencing homelessness who are seeking stability, case management, and a safe place to work toward the next steps.

How will the program support guests?
Through:
•    Case management and resource navigation
•    Workforce and housing support connections
•    Mental and Physical Health service connections
•    Partnerships with community agencies
•    A structured and dignified environment

How can the community support this effort?
The community can support this initiative through financial giving, advocacy, sharing accurate information, and volunteering as opportunities develop. We also invite you to attend our public Community Information Meeting on Friday, January 2 at 6:00 PM at the Madison Street United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Please enter through the Commerce Street entrance.

Thank you for believing in this work.

Thank you for standing with survivors, families, and neighbors in need.

And thank you for helping us carry compassion into the new year.

With gratitude,

Jodi McBryant
Executive Director
Clarksville Area Urban Ministries