Statements
Mission
Dream Streets exists to protect and empower our neighbors living in distress.
Background
In the Spring of 2013, The Cross Point Dream Center opened its doors. At that time, we didn't know who we'd reach, but we knew there was hope needed based on the circumstances of those living near the ministry center in the 37209 zip code of West Nashville. Ministry began in the middle of drug deals, poverty and messy relationships. We started with a worship service on Sundays-- one hour of positive, life giving content and music. However, we quickly realized a worship service isn't enough. There are 167 hours of life to be lived and navigated after one hour of worship on a Sunday. Many of us get through these hours by leaning on and having community with our family, friends and even co-workers; we are the lucky ones. You can walk 3 blocks in any direction of the current West Nashville Dream Center location and you will see why 167 hours lasts a lot longer here. Even those in the community that do everything they can to keep themselves and their families away from violence, abuse and addiction, see it each day outside their doorstep. At the West Nashville Dream Center, we recognized that in order to transform people's hearts, lives and the neighborhood they live in, we have to be present during these 167 hours. It is a sustained, consistent presence that drives lasting change. In 2016 we became our own non profit entity and in 2022 we rebranded to Dream Streets to better reflect our mission as we expand to a multi-site organization. Our West location is open 7 days per week and our North Nashville location is open every day but Sunday. Our main demographic of service is single moms and their children; however, we serve any individual who walks through our doors, as we believe that those who ask for help should be shown the respect we all deserve. We support both through supplemental resources that meet physical, emotional and spiritual needs and family-strengthening tools for all ages. Our purpose is carried out by passionate partners who give their time volunteering and/or their resources through funding. There is a place for you at Dream Streets and we invite you to be part of our fight for 'Dreams Inspired and Hope Renewed'.
Impact
2022 was a year for the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee to figure out how to rebuild from the devastating losses of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial recession that followed. Some of the most vulnerable populations, already in crises of their own in our city, continued to be deeply affected by loss of income, inadequate resources for their families, and the rebuilding of normalcy that they had previously known. For Dream Streets this year was one of incredible growth and expansion. One of our most impactful additions was the launch of our free counseling services for any community member in need. We opened our second location in February 2022 and began serving children and their families right away. In May, we received a brand new boxed food truck that allowed us to immediately increase our food rescue and redistribution efforts through the addition of two new food partners and four additional food distribution sites in North Nashville. In June and July we served at-risk youth in both West and North Nashville through our Summer Days program, providing both consistent meals and positive mentorship with caring adults. In September, we launched our North Nashville After School Program to daily serve 30 elementary and middle school students through academic enrichment, fine arts activities, social emotional learning, and active play. The program is free of charge to each family and we provide transportation to and from the program to alleviate all barriers to service. In January 2023, we launched the inaugural Job Readiness Program class in which eight justice-involved adults began a year long paid job preparation program providing holistic support, soft skill training, and job skill training specifically for the food and hospitality industry, and a six month placement with one of our many food and hospitality industry partners. In July 2023 we began our second cohort, and we are currently planning for our second program year of our After School Program as well. In January 2024, we will open a total of 24 transitional housing units for our Job Readiness Program participants and families in need in our service community.
Needs
As we continue to live out our mission of protecting and empowering people in distress in 2023, we are looking to expand our program staff and resources for the North Nashville After School Program so that we can increase enrollment to address the growing need to support families and children with out of school time activities. We will also look to replace one of our older model boxed trucks so that we can continue to serve the families in need in North and West Nashville through our Mobile Food Distribution efforts.
CEO Statement
I have been here since day one in 2013 because I fully believe in the mission of protecting and empowering people living in distress. Myself and my entire family are committed and a part of this dream to see the streets of West and North Nashville restored. We will be here as long as we are needed and we believe in and love the communities we are working in.
Board Chair Statement
It's truly an honor for me to serve on a diverse board that is intensely dedicated to the overall care of its' neighboring communities. Dream Streets is committed to and supports well-established programs for moms and kids that drive observable change as a result of its presence-- we see the impacts every day! Dream Streets, through multiple campaigns, has done an exemplary job with continuous fundraising which fuels the needs of our mission with continued expansion in West and North Nashville. With continued support, I see us feeding more kids, empowering more moms, and demonstrating how a local community can be transformed through unconditional love and support. As a board member since 2017, I fully recognize the challenges that Dream Streets and our communities often face, but I also fully recognize that the Dream Streets is ahead of the curve in its ongoing efforts to serve. My family and I love Dream Streets and believe in its' bright future!
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Public & Societal Benefit NEC |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Tertiary Category: | Mental Health & Crisis Intervention - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution |
Areas Served
We serve low-income, MDHA, and Section 8 apartment complexes and communities located in the 37209 and 37208 zip codes of the West and North Nashville area.
| TN - Davidson |
