Statements

Mission

Project Connect Inc. exists to help the whole person escape the hopelessness of poverty through the transformative love of Jesus Christ.

Background

Project Connect Nashville (PCN) was born out of a community response to the Nashville flood of 2010. A group of residents in East Nashville, deeply impacted by the devastating effects of the flood on their community, began to organize volunteer efforts to aid and support those most affected. What started as hosting meals at homes and facilitating classes transformed into the establishment of PCN in 2013. Through community feedback, PCN identified an urgent need for services aimed at fostering economic mobility among individuals who were grappling not only with the aftermath of the flood but also with broader systemic challenges.

Responding to this need, PCN transitioned from a volunteer-led relief initiative into a structured organization focused on providing practical resources, education, and relationship-building opportunities. The organization's primary aim became equipping individuals with tangible skills to enhance their employment prospects and financial stability. By providing education in areas such as financial literacy and workforce development, and by fostering connections within the community, PCN focused its mission on helping individuals take definitive steps toward economic independence.

In the years since PCN started helping community members achieve economic mobility, Nashville has seen rapid growth, bringing with it challenges such as an affordable housing crisis and rising homelessness, which have only worsened by the impacts of COVID-19 and a growing opioid crisis. As the need for post-crisis services continues to grow in Nashville, PCN made the strategic decision in 2022 to move from a founder-led to an executive director-led organization structure, thus enabling us to respond more effectively to the changing needs of our community. This process has helped PCN to become a more effective, goal-oriented organization, better equipped to serve Nashville's vulnerable populations.

Today, PCN operates in Madison and Woodbine, serving the unique needs of each community, and working to foster connections between families living in Section 8 housing or low-rent public housing through education and direct resources.

Impact

Nearly 100,000 people in Nashville live below the poverty line, and that doesn't even tell the whole story. Even wages well above minimum wage do not allow one to keep up in Nashville's thriving economy. Rental costs in Nashville have doubled to an average of over $1400/month creating a shortfall that many just can't meet. Families in poverty struggle with broken relationships in all aspects of their lives and because of this, they lack the ability to provide for their families' basic needs. PCN provides educational and relational opportunities that can help mend the brokenness and be a bridge for the church to enter into the lives of people that are suffering. These educational programs are holistic and include workforce development, financial education, healthy relational boundaries, trauma healing, and more. PCN believes the greatest impact occurs when churches are participating in the work by walking closely with families in poverty, and so we seek to educate the church on poverty and how to walk with individuals toward healing.

Needs

PCN is looking for funding partners that will bring their experiences and expertise to serve as volunteers and trusted advisors.

We are actively training volunteers to serve as a lifeline to their neighbors. Our Connector Training equips volunteers with the skills to conduct monthly meetings, function as an effective accountability coach, and offer their support where needed most. Our volunteers increase our community impact and are our most valued resource.

We are developing partnerships with businesses that will have the opportunity to hire our Work Life graduates.

Affordable housing continues to be a big issue for families we serve, and so deep partnerships with those who specialize in safe and affordable housing would be very beneficial for those involved in our programming.

CEO Statement

PCN is a charitable Christian organization leading the vulnerable toward hope. The difference about what we do is that we bring people, churches and other non-profits together to reach out as good neighbors with what God has given us. We help to reconcile the lives of the hungry, hopeless, and destitute in Nashville. Our mission is to better equip the church to serve in greater numbers across the Middle Tennessee area. Our long-term vision is to create areas of focus (neighborhoods) to engage more volunteers to serve effectively in their own communities. While it's certain we'll always have the need to grow funding to meet organizational goals, we never want to be fighting for dollars from other organizations that need funding to continue their work. We are working to grow our network of partner organizations.

Board Chair Statement

The successes are the people and the churches that are coming to the table (volunteers & donors). The challenge is finding more churches and individuals that would be willing to connect. As we expand, the more funds we'll need.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Human Services
Secondary Category:	Community Improvement, Capacity Building  - Community & Neighborhood Development
Tertiary Category:	Employment  - Job Training

Areas Served

PCN serves the Madison and Woodbine neighborhoods of Nashville.

TN - Davidson