Building Lives Foundation
Programs
Budget
$25,000.00
Description
Building Lives provides job placement services to our Veteran clients. Building Lives has a partnerships with most major employment service companies in the area. We also utilize the state employment centers and contact many other corporations seeking employment opportunities. Employment is the key component to the successful transition for individuals from the ranks of the homeless or the recently incarcerated. Over the years, we have established a comprehensive group of partners who will hire our clients. These partners include: Home Depot, Midas, Mrs. Grissom's Salads, Dollar General, Demo's, Waffle House, and approximately 50 other corporations.
Beneficiaries
Unhoused individuals
At-Risk Populations
Other Named Groups
Long-term Success
Excluding the disabled Veterans that we serve, Building Lives has virtually a 100% success rate at finding appropriate jobs for our Veteran clients. Disabled Veterans have disability income from the military. If they do not, we assist them in application for those benefits.
Short-term Success
Typically, over the years, Building Lives has been successful in finding jobs for our Veteran clients within six weeks of beginning the search. In the last four years that has been reduced to three weeks due to the economy being much better.
Program Areas Served
None
$25,000.00
Description
Building Lives provides job placement services to our Veteran clients. Building Lives has a partnerships with most major employment service companies in the area. We also utilize the state employment centers and contact many other corporations seeking employment opportunities. Employment is the key component to the successful transition for individuals from the ranks of the homeless or the recently incarcerated. Over the years, we have established a comprehensive group of partners who will hire our clients. These partners include: Home Depot, Midas, Mrs. Grissom's Salads, Dollar General, Demo's, Waffle House, and approximately 50 other corporations.
Beneficiaries
Unhoused individuals
At-Risk Populations
Other Named Groups
Long-term Success
Excluding the disabled Veterans that we serve, Building Lives has virtually a 100% success rate at finding appropriate jobs for our Veteran clients. Disabled Veterans have disability income from the military. If they do not, we assist them in application for those benefits.
Short-term Success
Typically, over the years, Building Lives has been successful in finding jobs for our Veteran clients within six weeks of beginning the search. In the last four years that has been reduced to three weeks due to the economy being much better.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$50,000.00
Description
Building Lives provide housing for homeless veterans who have successfully completed transitional living programs (i.e. Operation Stand Down). An individual's income is considered in determining placement thus assuring affordability. We have a partnership with Urban Housing Solutions, First Nashville Realty Management, and one of our board members to provide housing for our participants. We also have a transitional home for men in the Nashville area.
Beneficiaries
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Other Named Groups
Long-term Success
We serve homeless veterans and homeless veterans with families. Building Lives provides two services within this program. One is to assist homeless veteran client to move into permanent housing. The other service is to assist in preventing a veteran or veteran with a family from becoming homeless. Since 2007, Building Lives has assisted over 800 veterans in this program.
Short-term Success
In the calendar year 2021, Building Lives has assisted 101 and family members of veterans to move into permanent housing or to prevent them from becoming homeless. Among these 101 clients were veterans with families including 51 children. Of the 51 veterans (not including children), 34 were provided homeless prevention services and 17 were provided services to move them into permanent housing. As the homeless population has increased in Davidson and the surrounding counties over the last 6 years, prevention services have been in greater demand. We are expecting with the rise in inflation to see a far greater demand for our services.
Program Areas Served
None
$50,000.00
Description
Building Lives provide housing for homeless veterans who have successfully completed transitional living programs (i.e. Operation Stand Down). An individual's income is considered in determining placement thus assuring affordability. We have a partnership with Urban Housing Solutions, First Nashville Realty Management, and one of our board members to provide housing for our participants. We also have a transitional home for men in the Nashville area.
Beneficiaries
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Other Named Groups
Long-term Success
We serve homeless veterans and homeless veterans with families. Building Lives provides two services within this program. One is to assist homeless veteran client to move into permanent housing. The other service is to assist in preventing a veteran or veteran with a family from becoming homeless. Since 2007, Building Lives has assisted over 800 veterans in this program.
Short-term Success
In the calendar year 2021, Building Lives has assisted 101 and family members of veterans to move into permanent housing or to prevent them from becoming homeless. Among these 101 clients were veterans with families including 51 children. Of the 51 veterans (not including children), 34 were provided homeless prevention services and 17 were provided services to move them into permanent housing. As the homeless population has increased in Davidson and the surrounding counties over the last 6 years, prevention services have been in greater demand. We are expecting with the rise in inflation to see a far greater demand for our services.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$145,000.00
Description
Building Lives provides up to $2,500 per participant for personal needs in the first 8 weeks of assistance. This includes meeting needs such as: furniture, home furnishings, rent, utilities, and food. While Building Lives addresses a number of basic needs, one primary emphasis is building the individual's 'community'. Re-connecting with family, becoming active in a church of their choice, and joining organizations with similar interests are all important in the individual's journey.
Program Successes
Mr. Hyde came to us in January of 2021. He had served for 18 years in the military and ran afoul of the law. After spending 20 years locked up and arriving to us at the age of 61 Mr. Hyde had to rebuild his entire life. Through the efforts of our counselor, operations director, and mentor system Mr. Hyde was able to attain long term employment in the roofing industry. Over the next several months he saved his money and was eventually able to purchase a home in Rutherford county with his sister.
Long-term Success
Upon graduating from our "Academy" program well over 80 percent of veterans that are served remain employed and fully housed for up to 2 years. The normal graduation time from the Academy program is 9 months however many veterans remain in the program up to 2 years.
Short-term Success
Michelle was an airforce veteran. She and her husband and child came to us in January of 2022 in dire need as her husband has lost his employment due to no fault of his own. They were being evicted from their home they were renting and had nowhere else to turn. Once they entered our Project Advance program we were able to secure them new housing and assist with two months of rent and utilities. Her husband Michael was able to secure a new job and they remain housed currently.
Program Areas Served
None
$145,000.00
Description
Building Lives provides up to $2,500 per participant for personal needs in the first 8 weeks of assistance. This includes meeting needs such as: furniture, home furnishings, rent, utilities, and food. While Building Lives addresses a number of basic needs, one primary emphasis is building the individual's 'community'. Re-connecting with family, becoming active in a church of their choice, and joining organizations with similar interests are all important in the individual's journey.
Program Successes
Mr. Hyde came to us in January of 2021. He had served for 18 years in the military and ran afoul of the law. After spending 20 years locked up and arriving to us at the age of 61 Mr. Hyde had to rebuild his entire life. Through the efforts of our counselor, operations director, and mentor system Mr. Hyde was able to attain long term employment in the roofing industry. Over the next several months he saved his money and was eventually able to purchase a home in Rutherford county with his sister.
Long-term Success
Upon graduating from our "Academy" program well over 80 percent of veterans that are served remain employed and fully housed for up to 2 years. The normal graduation time from the Academy program is 9 months however many veterans remain in the program up to 2 years.
Short-term Success
Michelle was an airforce veteran. She and her husband and child came to us in January of 2022 in dire need as her husband has lost his employment due to no fault of his own. They were being evicted from their home they were renting and had nowhere else to turn. Once they entered our Project Advance program we were able to secure them new housing and assist with two months of rent and utilities. Her husband Michael was able to secure a new job and they remain housed currently.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$5,000.00
Description
Building Lives helps participants get appropriate clothing through partnerships with Churches or by purchases for the client at Thrift Smart, Goodwill, or Salvation Army.
Program Areas Served
None
$5,000.00
Description
Building Lives helps participants get appropriate clothing through partnerships with Churches or by purchases for the client at Thrift Smart, Goodwill, or Salvation Army.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$150,000.00
Description
Building Lives operates a transitional housing program named The Academy. The property, located 3541 Wood Bridge is leased by The Academy. Maximum capacity is 11 beds, and there is a full-service kitchen that provides three meals per day for the residents and staff. The residents are referred to us by VA, Street Works, TBOP, and other organizations who interact with the homeless in the Nashville and surrounding area. Upon successful completion of a 30-day probationary period, residents are provided a small stipend, and if able, are assigned to one of several work crews. The Academy is a 'work therapy' program designed to get the men back into a responsible work routine while re-acquiring employable skills. Typical time spent in this program is from 8 to 12 months with some staying as long as 2 years. When appropriate, individuals are placed in outside jobs and with help and assistance, begin to prepare for the transition to independent living. This includes support in preparing resumes, setting up interviews with potential employers, helping them acquire an automobile, and helping them get established in a furnished apartment. They will remain in contact with Building Lives staff and volunteers as they begin to assume more and more responsibility for their future success.
Program Areas Served
None
$150,000.00
Description
Building Lives operates a transitional housing program named The Academy. The property, located 3541 Wood Bridge is leased by The Academy. Maximum capacity is 11 beds, and there is a full-service kitchen that provides three meals per day for the residents and staff. The residents are referred to us by VA, Street Works, TBOP, and other organizations who interact with the homeless in the Nashville and surrounding area. Upon successful completion of a 30-day probationary period, residents are provided a small stipend, and if able, are assigned to one of several work crews. The Academy is a 'work therapy' program designed to get the men back into a responsible work routine while re-acquiring employable skills. Typical time spent in this program is from 8 to 12 months with some staying as long as 2 years. When appropriate, individuals are placed in outside jobs and with help and assistance, begin to prepare for the transition to independent living. This includes support in preparing resumes, setting up interviews with potential employers, helping them acquire an automobile, and helping them get established in a furnished apartment. They will remain in contact with Building Lives staff and volunteers as they begin to assume more and more responsibility for their future success.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$50,000.00
Description
The Homeless Prevention program identifies veterans who are on the verge of losing their permanent residence. Once the situation is verified through an eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or notice from utility company of cut off, then financial assistance is provided to prevent the imminent loss of home. A case worker/resource coordinator is assigned to work with the client for up to a year to address issues, provide financial training, and provide opportunities/options that will stabilize their situation.
Program Areas Served
None
$50,000.00
Description
The Homeless Prevention program identifies veterans who are on the verge of losing their permanent residence. Once the situation is verified through an eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or notice from utility company of cut off, then financial assistance is provided to prevent the imminent loss of home. A case worker/resource coordinator is assigned to work with the client for up to a year to address issues, provide financial training, and provide opportunities/options that will stabilize their situation.
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| Building Lives serves homeless veterans in 11 counties in middle Tennessee. We also take part in a national referral service that if we are contacted by the VA or the United Way and a veteran needs assistance we will do our best to be of assistance to that veteran. Our primary challenge continues to be assembling the resources needed to meet the demand for services needed to transition homeless veterans and their families into permanent housing and to provide the necessary support to maintain that independent living. |
