Family
Building A Stronger Community
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville coordinates with eight United Way agencies and over fifty additional partners to provide one-stop-shopping services to area residents within a defined area. Through a strong partnership with an advisory council of neighbors, we are able to strengthen nearby neighborhoods and address the needs of residents who rank safety for children and families as their top priority. As a community-based Family Resource Center, we address the needs of at-risk individuals by providing services essential for them to lead healthy and productive lives. Special programs address poverty, unemployment, education, financial, crime and safety.
As one of 18 Nashville FRC’s, we direct families to the appropriate resources that lead to self-sufficiency. At our site we provide working parents with top-rated childcare through our partnership with the 15th Avenue North Learning Academy; offer quality after-school programs; and provide seniors with nutritious meals as well as connectional resources for the entire family. Children and youth enrolled in our after-school programs receive nutritious snacks and dinner each afternoon through our partnership with the Metro Action Commission and SPARK Health and Fitness Initiative.
Through our special events programs, Bethlehem Center builds and strengthens unity within and among families and the local community. Activities include: Easter Egg Hunt in Watkins Park in collaboration with area agencies. Fall Festival for children and families who celebrate the change of seasons and enjoy Halloween in a safe and supervised environment. Christmas Open House to introduce neighbors to our facility and programs and to offer performances from local program participants and artists. FRC Promotional Events held throughout the year which include community awareness fairs, neighborhood reunion events, Back to School Bash, Olympic Day summer festival. Financial planning and tax assistance programs are offered as well. The Christmas Toy Store In partnership with the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program, eligible families who reside in zip codes areas 37203 and 37208 can register for the toy program from mid-October to mid-November on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Through a partnership with churches and community organizations, volunteers are recruited to sort toys and assist with setting up the store. Donations are made through new toys and monetary donations to support this effort. For additional information on registering for the program, volunteering or donating, please call 615-329-3386.
The Family Collective
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a member of the The Family Collective (TFC) a partnership of service providers managed by United Way of Greater Nashville (UWGN) and funded through the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and the Siemer Institute. The Family Collective focuses on working with families to set and achieve goals related to education, upward economic mobility, health, community engagement, workforce readiness and financial literacy.
The Family Collective at Bethlehem Centers of Nashville:
- In 2014, with seed funding from the Siemer Institute, United Way of Greater Nashville launched The Family Collective—originally the Family Empowerment Program—to address homelessness, connect families to sustainable opportunities and disrupt cycles of poverty. As of October 1, the cohort has grown to include more than 25 partner organizations.
- Families enter one of the programs within The Family Collective while experiencing a housing crisis or while receiving services at one of our hubs, community centers or schools, where they receive at least one core wrap-around service and select the service mix that best meets their needs. We seek to ensure that when a family becomes homeless, their experience is rare and brief—no longer than 30 days—and the negative effects are limited.
- The Family Collective gives power back to families by providing space for families to get the help they need while providers work alongside each other to build trust, infrastructure (ex. coordinated entry systems, landlord networks, etc.) and have courageous conversations with all stakeholders in each community.
Children
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville’s Comprehensive School Age program allows children in Grades K-4 to balance learning and fun through a variety of experiences and features…
Youth
Our youth programs are designed to empower youth and teens in developing self-esteem and making positive life choices.
Seniors
Our Senior Programs assist senior adults ages 55 and up by providing health and wellness‚ programs designed to empower them in ways that help them to maintain independent living…
Volunteer with Bethlehem Centers
Our volunteers play a critical role in our outreach programs at Bethlehem Centers of Nashville. “Serving the underserved” has been the heart of our mission for over a century. Volunteer opportunities cover a broad spectrum – from tutoring students enrolled in our after-school program – to delivering hot lunches to seniors – to supporting our annual Christmas Toy Story program. Please click “Learn More” which lists our volunteer program, and sign up whenever you’re ready!