Statements
Mission
Nashville Inner City Ministry is a Christ-centered community organization dedicated to empowering the spiritual, educational, and vocational development of at-risk youth and their families.
Background
Founded in 1979, Nashville Inner City Ministry is a non-profit organization committed to serving at-risk children, teens and families who live within the poverty stricken areas of Nashville, TN. Since it's founding NICM has reached out to a segment of the population that struggles with hopelessness due to poverty, abandonment, drug abuse, crime, fear, and a lack of productive partnerships. The inner city of Nashville, TN is comprised of many people who do not share the stereotypical value system often depicted in low-income communities. There are many residents of our growing urban community who struggle to maintain the hope of productive lives. NICM is proud to support this vast number of people who refuse to allow the darkness of indifference to overshadow them. These individuals do not ask for a handout but for a hand of partnership. NICM has been instrumental in bringing volunteers and inner-city communities together through an outreach effort that boasts as its greatest strength its ability to transport and mobilize hundreds of people on a fleet of buses. What started as a small outreach program to a Nashville housing community now impacts the lives of thousands. The inner-city community supports NICM with a great deal of trust because the staff and volunteers have proven over time, through many activities, that our commitment is not a fad or quick-fix effort in response to a complex problem. NICM remains committed to residents of the inner city for the long term.
Impact
In 2013 we moved our outreach and development staff to our new ministry center at 1000 Apex Street in East Nashville, right off of Ellington Parkway. At the end of 2014 we completed Phase I of our building renovation and now have in place our bus maintenance and home/vehicle care facility. This facility provides as a service area for our transportation fleet of buses and vans and vocational education for home and auto owners. Currently the program is staffed with two full time mechanics and three apprentices. Phase II of our renovation was completed in January, 2016. This phase includes the development of over 30,000 square feet and includes an event center with seating for over 500, large multi-purpose classrooms, an outreach pantry, bathrooms/showers, and television studio. This phase is within $800,000 of being completely funded. Our soft opening of this new facility was marked with the receipt of the NHL All-Star Legacy Grant which provided internal branding, smart boards, lobby furnishings and multi-purpose chairs and tables. Phase V of our development plan received a fully furnished and funded playground with an award from KaBoom! and local partners: The Nashville Predators Foundation, Mapco, Hunt Brothers Pizza, NES, Delek, SMS, Jackson and LP Building Products. The playground, visible from Ellington Pkwy, provides a safe place where families can gather and children can enjoy being kids. This space will receive futher development in the way of picnic shelters, a walking track and amphitheater for outdoor movies and concerts. In the midst of capital growth our volunteers continue to serve families in need and are making a life changing impact on our Nashville communities. Our volunteers contributed 114,295 hours this year - serving hot meals to children, the elderly and families - providing households with transportation to doctor's appointments, church activities, grocery shopping and school meetings - working with 900 children in weekly Learning Centers - and in a Christmas event partnered with Gimmea5 stores and the Nashville Predators Foundation 3,023 were given gifts for themselves and the opportunity to choose gifts for their family. Our facility is now known as the Lytle and Sandra Thomas Mall of Hope and as we work with families from the cradle to the grave we intend to utilize the facility, our volunteers and resources in accomplishing our mission.
Needs
1. Financial Sponsors for key operational activities and events 2. Intern Stipends for leadership enhancement programs 3. 24 hour ministry team 4. Additional mentors who can maintain positive interactions with diverse populations of children5. Opportunities to share our message - civic/social clubs, corporate events, churches, etc.
CEO Statement
Since 1979, the Nashville Inner City Ministry (NICM) has been committed to the outreach and development of at-risk youth and families within Nashville, Tennessee. This program is funded by local churches, foundations, businesses and individuals in a cooperative effort to meet the spiritual, intellectual and physical needs of those seemingly held captive by hopelessness in our inner city. The ability to transport and mobilize large and small groups for personal development has always been the consistent strength of the NICM. The growing challenges in education, truancy, and employment readiness continue to diminish the anticipation of a prospering future for most people living at or below poverty.
Board Chair Statement
Nashville Inner City Ministry, Inc. is a spiritual and community outreach program that seeks to make fundamental changes in the hopelessness and family failure that so often characterizes the inner city. The Ministry conducts programs of various types designed to mentor, educate, tutor, encourage, assist, and train youth. More than 86% of funds contributed go directly to programs conducted by the Ministry. In any given week, more than 2,000 adults, teens, and children will be involved in the various programs offered by the Ministry. Members of the inner city have experienced generations of poverty and incarceration. Our efforts to develop relationships, educate, model and present options for a better life is a slow process that yields tremendous rewards. Each time we see students graduating high school, teens rejecting gang membership, adults achieving gainful employment, people of all ages living a sober life, we are thrilled with the understanding that the seeds we have planted will continue blooming into beautiful, productive lives.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Youth Development - Support NEC |
| Secondary Category: | Religion- Related - Religion-Related NEC |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Educational Services |
Areas Served
NICM serves youth and families in Nashville by providing transportation for families living in or close to Metro Public Housing; primarily from the Briley Pkwy corridor and inward.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
