United Way of Greater Nashville, The Family Collective and Safe Haven Family Shelter have joined together with 30 other nonprofits and government agencies across Davidson County to launch the 100 Day Challenge – an initiative that brings our community together to house 100 families experiencing homelessness in 100 days.
“All around us Nashville is growing, yet there are more than 450 families experiencing homelessness on the Nashville Coordinated Entry list awaiting services,” Rod DeVore, Director of 2-Gen Initiatives for the United Way of Greater Nashville, said. “We know that working together we can create change and best practices that continue to make a difference well after the 100 Day Challenge ends”
National nonprofit Community Solutions is providing support to the effort through its Built for Zero program, a movement committed to measurably and equitably ending homelessness. Built for Zero selected Nashville as its first model for eliminating family homelessness because of the strength and successes of the organizations already serving families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the community.
“Working with our partners at these incredible nonprofits and government agencies we are committed to housing 100 families by December 9 and finding solutions that can be used here and across the country as well,” Drew Freeman, CEO of Safe Haven Family Shelter said. “We are confident that this challenge can be the beginning of something very special in Nashville and that our city can be a model for the rest of the country.”
In partnership with Built for Zero, the organizations involved will use data and best practices from the 100 Day Challenge to implement an ongoing strategy with an ultimate goal of making family homelessness a rare occurrence in our community.
“This challenge is an opportunity for our partner organizations to work even more closely together,” said Nicole Piispanen, associate director of The Family Collective. “We will use the latest best practices in supporting families experiencing homelessness to become more efficient and collaborative and look forward to continuing that more rapid pace of service after the challenge.”
There are many ways for the community to get involved and support the 100 Day Challenge. For more information on volunteering or donating, visit 100 Day Challenge.
Your Gift Can Change Lives
$25 = Gas Card | Bus Pass
$50 = Housing application fee
$100 = Monthly bus passes for one adult and one child
$250 = Welcome Home Kit (includes essentials like dishes, utensils, cookware, etc.)
$500 = Bedding, pillows and towels for a family of four
$1,000 = Mattresses
$2,500 = Housing deposit and 1st month’s rent
$6,000 = Housing and supportive services for one family
100 Day Partner List
Bethlehem Center • Catholic Charities • Community Care Fellowship • Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee • The Contributor • The Family Collective • HERO Program with MNPS • Martha O’Bryan Center • Mary Parrish Center • MDHA • Mental Health Cooperative • Metro Action Commission • Metro Public Health Department • Metro Social Services • Morning Star • Nashville Rescue Mission • Oasis Center • Office of Homeless Services • Open Table Nashville • Operation Stand Down TN • Park Center • People Loving Nashville • Room In The Inn • Safe Haven Family Shelter • St. Luke’s Community House • The Salvation Army • Step Up • YWCA
On August 29, more 150 people from community organizations, elected officials, corporate partners and foundations gathered for the 100 Day Challenge Community Breakfast Kickoff.
