Statements

Mission

Bethlehem Centers of Nashville promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, adolescents and seniors in Middle Tennessee by delivering and advocating quality programs and services.

Background

BCN began as a rescue mission in 1894 for young women and immigrants in South Nashville (Door of Hope and Wesley House). In North Nashville, another center was a "playschool for children" and taught their mothers how to sew (Bethlehem Center). Germantown (Centenary Center), the 3rd site, assisted German immigrants and migrants from Cheatham County working at Warioto Cotton Mills (now Werthan Industries). From the 1920s through the 1960s, Camp Dogwood served low-income white and black children. The first Girl Scout troop was founded at BCN when the local council would not serve black girls. 1960s sit-in participants used BCN as a haven after confrontations downtown. In 1971, the three centers merged to become United Methodist Neighborhood Centers. The name was changed to Bethlehem Centers of Nashville in 1973. Programs now serve over hundreds annually. BCN's services 'change lives and build futures' for those in need and promote their self-reliance. BCN is also a United Way Family Resource Center for one of Nashville's most impoverished neighborhoods. According to US Census Data, the area has a population of 22,000 where 53% of all households receive income assistance. This is the highest percentage of people receiving assistance within a single area in Davidson County. BCN is unique and innovative in its ability to provide quality, life-changing programs for those in the Nashville community who are at the lowest poverty levels and at-risk for becoming victims of violence in neighborhoods that have a high crime rate. BCN now provides the low-cost, highest rated childcare; after school programs for children and pre-teens; youth education enhancement and life skills programs; sports; adult education and senior club; and Meals-on-Wheels daily for 216 homebound and elderly. Bethlehem Centers of Nashville will celebrate 129 years of service in the Nashville community in 2023.

Impact

Bethlehem Centers of Nashville (BCN) "Changes Lives and Builds Futures" for children, adolescents and seniors who reside in Nashville's two poorest census tracts. Since 1894, BCN has been an agent of change, enhancing existing community strengths while identifying and addressing the unmet needs of our clients. We provide support and encouragement required to move individuals and families to the next stage in their lives. We facilitate positive growth and change in our constituent community by providing 1) quality Afterschool programming and care, 2) tools for success in school for our children, 3) values and self-esteem for vulnerable youth, and 4) fellowship and a hot meal for our seniors. Our work is guided by our values of quality, creativity, integrity, and courtesy. As a United Way Family Resource Center, BCN has been recognized by the greater Nashville community as a starting point for growth and productive change for both individuals and neighborhoods. Our goals for 2022-2023 are: 1) Continue positive financial momentum and add solid economic foundation. 2) Strengthen and Expand core programs. 3) Develop and expand our partnership network with the United Methodist Church and via our Family Resource Center. 4) Strengthen our Marketing and Public Relations.

Needs

1) Funding to support educational and enrichment programs for at-risk children and youth. 2) Funding to support the health and well-being of our Seniors programs through education, health, wellness and nutrition. 3) In-kind donations are welcomed and include items such as educational materials, school supplies, arts and crafts supplies, classroom supplies, healthy snacks, cleaning supplies, sports and sports and recreation equipment.Other ways to donate, support or volunteer:Check donations can be mailed to : Bethlehem Centers of Nashville 1417 Charlotte AvenueNashville, TN 37203To coordinate in-kind donations, please email or call Steve Fleming at sfleming@bethlehemcenters.org or (615) 329-3386 ext. 230.Bethlehem centers of Nashville has over 1,000 annual volunteers supporting our mission and ministry. For a full list of volunteer opportunities please contact Bethlehem Centers of Nashville at (615) 329-3386.

CEO Statement

For 129 years, BCN has met evolving community needs. BCN's staff and volunteers serve families who historically experience the highest levels of poverty, unemployment, school dropout, and mental and physical health problems. Comprehensive programs provide support to people in all phases of the life cycle, building skills and shaping characters. Because results stem from choices, BCN provides our clients with options for growth and change. They in turn, build new futures for themselves, their families, and contribute to community growth. BCN supports individual and community change by offering advocacy; School-aged academic and enrichment programs; senior programs, youth programs and leadership programs. We see the difference BCN makes in the eyes of our clients in our Youth programs, and providing hot meals to our disabled and senior clients. Through our work at BCN, we provide needed services and a safe, stable environment for the community we serve.

Board Chair Statement

For 129 years a dedicated staff and a committed Board of Directors have transformed families by offering opportunities to change direction in order to reach their goals. Parents with children in our Afterschool Programs work the hours they need to provide for their families. For every fifth and sixth grader in our "Say Yes to Success" alcohol and drug prevention program, one less family is forced to deal with a child starting down one of the worst possible paths. The youth clients we serve have achieved outstanding results in academic and character conduct in the Metro schools they attend. In the 37203 and 37208 neighborhoods serve, more than eighty percent of families live below the government indicated poverty line, and more than ninety percent of our families with children live in single parent households. Nearly all of our children and youth attend BCN programs free of charge due to their family's income status. Historically, the schools in BCN service neighborhoods have proficiency rates far below average rates in the city of Nashville, and high school drop-out rates much higher than elsewhere in the city. BCN's 'STAR's of Bethlehem' program provides academically vulnerable children with the additional attention they need. We provide schoolwork counseling and tutoring that translates into not only higher test scores, but a boosted self-esteem and a brighter future. We cannot rest on the 129 years of great service we have already provided to the North Nashville community. We face numerous challenges. The community we serve is in constant transition due to our proximity to Downtown Nashville and the overall changing dynamics of our growing population. Our goal is simple: to change our organization, the families we serve, and our community from 'good' to 'great' in every respect.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Neighborhood Centers
Secondary Category:	Human Services  - Child Day Care
Tertiary Category:	Education  - Preschools

Areas Served

Child Care: Davidson County; Youth: North and South Nashville; Hot Lunch and Seniors: North Nashville; Family Resource Center: census tracts 135 and 144; Toy Store: 37203 and 37208.

TN - Davidson