Statements

Mission

The mission of H.U.G.G.S., Inc. is to strengthen communities in Middle Tennessee, by providing comprehensive mental health, opiate and substance abuse treatment services and reducing prison recidivism and improving public safety by providing comprehensive educational, employment, healthcare, housing and family relationship services to ex-offenders thereby empowering them to become productive citizens.

Background

H.U.G.G.S started in 2006 as a vision from God to Sherri Jackson, Executive Director. Since that time, HUGGS has become recognized as a leading organization that offers comprehensive substance abuse and opiate treatment services, employment services, transportation, clothing, housing, healthcare and referral services all designed to help ex-offenders become self-sufficient, law abiding and productive citizens.

Impact

2016 saw H.U.G.G.S., Inc. accomplish many of its objectives, namely: 1) Increased it's substance abuse treatment services to include opiates;2) Held its Annual Inmate Toy Drive which gave toys to the children of 20 men and women inmates;3) Hired its first in-house Licensed Professional Counselor over its mental health, substance abuse and family relationship counseling programs. H.U.G.G.S. has set some ambitious goals for 2016 namely:1) Start providing vocational rehabilitation services;2) Expanding its Transitional Housing;3) Expanding its employer database from 20 to 50 employers;4) Maintaining a 95% employment rate for its clients. In 2017 HUGGS received License from the State of TN for Mental Health to provide services for clients.

Needs

1) Scholarship funds for clients to receive mental health, substance abuse and family relationship counseling. Program costs run $3,600.00 per client; 2) Donations of vacant houses and/or land that we can rehabilitate or develop to provide Transitional Housing for our clients; 3) Donations of clothing and shoes for clients to wear to job interviews;4) Employers willing to hire qualified clients; and 5) Donations for staff development training specifically focusing on new treatment techniques for opiate users.

CEO Statement

The H.U.G.G.S organization is established to give ex-offenders an opportunity to begin to re-establish a productive life in society. Many need help with that process. My name is Sherri Jackson, Executive Director and Founder of H.U.G.G.S, Inc. (Inspiration for men and women), and I am an ex-offender. I know firsthand the challenges ex-offenders have re-entering society because I have been there. H.U.G.G.S, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, which stands for Humility, Understanding, God's Grace, and Spiritual Strength. There are many people that have made many mistakes in their lives. I experienced problems attempting to gain help after being incarcerated. Doors were slammed in my face, as I began searching for employment. My voting rights were taken away, and some citizenship rights were stripped from me. Society as a whole does not acknowledge ex-offenders as citizens. Ex-offenders destroy societies trust. I believe that the time is now to begin to re-build that trust. H.U.G.G.S, Inc. administers a program that helps ex-offenders to become productive citizens. This works because I am a living testament. H.U.G.G.S, Inc. will help empower ex-offenders to become productive citizens, trustworthy people, and gain self-confidence in the new life they are creating for themselves and for their families. We want to help strengthen communities, reduce re-arrest rates, and help tax payers save money.

Board Chair Statement

For over 11 years HUGGS has been a leader in Middle Tennessee providing comprehensive services to ex-offenders. We have now expanded our program to meet the growing opioid epidemic in our communities. We will continue to create positive change both in our clients and our communities. We will continue to grow, collaborate with other nonprofits and charitable organizations, and develop beneficial partnerships to ensure the needs of our clients are met. Our initiative is to give each citizen and ex-offender a chance to become good citizens while simultaneously affording the greater community the opportunity to enjoy safer neighborhoods and a lesser tax burden. We will endeavor to accomplish our mission by providing professional and comprehensive services to our clients, working with the criminal justice system and the business community. We will continue to strive to achieve new milestones and extend our reach to new regions.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Crime & Legal - Related  - Rehabilitation Services for Offenders
Secondary Category:	Employment  - Employment Preparation & Procurement
Tertiary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  - Public & Societal Benefit NEC

Areas Served

The Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses the Middle Tennessee counties of Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Macon, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson.

TN - Cannon

TN - Cheatham

TN - Davidson

TN - Dickson

TN - Hickman

TN - Macon

TN - Robertson

TN - Rutherford

TN - Smith

TN - Sumner

TN - Williamson

TN - Wilson