Eighteenth Avenue Community Center
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615-320-1131
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1811 Osage Street
Nashville, TN 37208
Organization Details

Statements

Mission

Our mission is to empower and enrich our children, families and community

Background

Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment Center (EAFEC) was originally founded in 1934 as the Negro Youth Work Committee. Our founders had a vision of providing "wholesome recreational programs for male youth" in the post-Depression era in Nashville. The spirit of tradition, history and excellence is weighty in the eighty-one year old building to this day. Early founders include the first African American president of the National Association of College and University Chaplains, Dr. W.J. Faulkner, and one of the first African American female playwrights who also held a doctorate from Columbia University and founded the Speech and Drama Department at Fisk University, Dr. Lillian Voorhees. Other last names, including Love and Crutcher, are recognized in Nashville as longstanding contributors in the battle against poverty.In 1994, the organization recognized the need for excellence in early childhood education in North Nashville and expanded to provide these services to financially disadvantaged families and children. At that time, the Board of Directors voted to change its name to Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment Center (EAFEC).Today, EAFEC is a non-profit, three-star rated 501(c)3 organization seeking to break the cycle of poverty through quality early childhood instruction, parent education, empowerment support and outreach programs. The Center provides full time, year round early head start care and preschool education for children ages six weeks to five years.

Impact

Accomplishments: Maintained our 3 star rating, continued to receive funds from United Way Getting Ready for School investment; Partnered with Metro Council to receive Child Care Stabilization Funding to support our families, Program Goals for Current Year: Increase Funding Sources; Continue to collaborate or partner with other organizations to provide various family services; establish more creative activities within our current programs;

Needs

A minimum of $250,000 working capital; Consistent Volunteer Staff ; New active board members; Facility Renovations: New Building 300,000 or Lower Roof (60,000) Building Flooring (50,000)Technology Updates ($30,000)

CEO Statement

EAFEC has been providing quality early childhood education for families for over 28 years. In addition, the center provides services for the entire family such as tax assistance, Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, and other health related services. Using the collective impact model, EAFEC partners with organizations to provide free hearing and vision screenings, free dental cleanings, physicals for children entering kindergarten among other services promoting holistic family-centric health. Community organizations such as NNOCI (North Nashville Organization for Community Improvement), Osage Neighborhood Watch as well as other organizations use our facility for trainings, workshops, meetings, etc... United Way of Greater Nashville, Tennessee State University, Raphah Institute, and Boedecker Foundation contribute to our Scholarship Fund to facilitate access to quality holistic early childhood education.

Board Chair Statement

Do not let un-wholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Our children are listening. Our children are our future, their tender lives need something to build upon. 18th Avenue Family Enrichment Center is the foundation upon which that future is built! - Julius Witherspoon, Board Chair


Service Categories

Primary Category: Human Services  - Child Day Care 
Secondary Category: Education  - Preschools 
Tertiary Category: Human Services  - Family Services 

Areas Served

Historically our clients have resided in the North Nashville community and surrounding areas.

TN - Davidson
TN - Sumner
TN - Robertson
TN - Wilson
TN - Rutherford