Looking for helpful ways to volunteer? Do you want to invest in your community, but you don’t know where your donations will do the most good? Would you like to know more about the services offered by non-profit organizations in your community? Read on to find out how you can make a difference in Rutherford County.
JANUARY FOCUS: AMELIA’S CLOSET
810 Broad Street NW, Suite 10
Having a job is a gift of hope and potential. Helping those with barriers to employment find purpose has been the driving force behind Amelia’s Closet since 2014. This mission has expanded to include her social enterprise cafe and event space, Liberty’s Station. Both programs help people who have been marginalized because of their disability, background, or lack of resources.
Amelia’s Closet helps prepare women for sustainable employment by giving them a second chance to make a good first impression. Upon referral, customers can enjoy a personal shopping experience at Amelia’s Closet and receive interview outfits, interview resources, a week-long wardrobe, and makeover.
Liberty’s Station offers paid internships for people who need extra help with job training. The cafe is open to the public for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are plans to increase to six days a week, including morning hours as positions (paid and volunteer) are filled. The menu includes 10 gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, salad, sweets and coffee. Interns are involved in training in catering, hospitality, janitorial, retail and on-site baking. Barista training will begin this month.
Currently, 100% of interns have a disability and want to find purpose in a job well done. You can book your next event in the cafe or the garage or rent the kitchen.
Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station are accepting volunteer applications. The next fundraiser is Aim for a Purpose on February 23. Tickets for participants and spectators can be purchased at www.LibertysStationTN.org.
Make your first gift of the New Year to Alive, the only nonprofit provider of palliative care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Alive’s mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support for their families, and service to the community in the spirit of enriching life. This includes personalized palliative home and inpatient care, bereavement support, advance care planning, outreach, support for underserved communities, education, financial assistance, a comprehensive volunteer program, and professional training. Donate today at www.AliveHospice.org/WinterGift. Checks can be mailed to Alive Hospice, Inc., 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203.
The Child Advocacy Center responds as a multidisciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to cases of child abuse, sexual abuse of children and children at risk of drugs.
New location: The Child Advocacy Center has moved to 503 Highland Terrace, Suite C, in Murfreesboro.
The Child Advocacy Center is recruiting Hometown Heroes businesses to support the Child Abuse Prevention Month event. Contact Katie Enzor at (615) 867-9000 or [email protected] to get involved.
Doors of Hope enables women to break the cycle of addiction, homelessness and incarceration. Since 2011, it has served over 750 women, helping to reunite families, successfully reintegrate into society, and dramatically reduce recidivism rates in prison.
Volunteers wanted: Doors of Hope relies on the time and talent of volunteers. Areas of need include LIFE Coaching, Transportation, Special Events, Monday Night Meals and 12 Step Sponsors. LIFE program: matches clients with someone in the community to encourage them during their participation in the program and encourage them as they achieve their goals towards graduation. Recovery: associates its customers with sponsors in 12 steps. Complete the application at www.opendoorsofhope.org/volunteer.
The Family Center’s mission is to break intergenerational cycles of childhood trauma by helping to support vulnerable families through their “Nurturing Families 1:1” family coaching, “Positive Parenting Plus” parenting groups, parenting series “Teen Impact” for teen parents, as well as “First 3” co-parenting and reconnection seminars for parents. He also works with staff in correctional facilities, courts, government agencies and non-profit organizations.
For more information or to volunteer, go to www.familycentertn.org or call (615) 333-2644. You can mail your donations to the Family Center, 115 Heritage Park Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Donation needs: Canned items (such as green beans, corn, peas, beans, fruit), mac and cheese, canned soup, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, ramen noodles, toiletries (such as conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes), new underwear, razors, socks.
The Garden Patch Thrift Shoppe is hosting an upscale/designer sale at 307 South Academy St. on Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
850 Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 30% off ReStore sale will take place on Saturday, January 28. The ReStore is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Volunteers wanted: The Journey Home is looking for a group of volunteers to provide, prepare and serve lunch on the third Saturday of every month.
Donations needed: coats, warm gloves, hats, scarves and socks. Contact Lisbeth Couser at [email protected] or call (865) 278-8757 for more information.
MURFREESBORO RESCUE MISSION
Donations needed: The rescue mission needs cash donations to purchase land for a homeless shelter.
Need a volunteer for drywall repair: Please call or text Ed Grimes at (615) 605-1705.
Unplug and read The month is a community-wide reading initiative in February that aims to encourage children and families to step away from electronic devices and come together to enjoy the cultural and educational enrichments that reading brings. For more information, go to www.readtosucceed.org/unplug-read for great ideas on how to get involved as a family, ideas for teens, a fun bingo card with things to read and community service and business ideas.
Adult basic education: Do you struggle with reading? Do you know someone who struggles? If you live or work in Rutherford County, Read To Succeed offers free tutoring and materials to help you. They can help you prepare for the HiSET, citizenship test, or improve your reading fluency, comprehension and written communication. Tutoring can be in person or via ZOOM. Call (615) 738-7323 for more information.
