United Way of Highway 55
Executive Director: Ashley Abraham
Email: Director@Highway55UnitedWay.org
United Way of Highway 55 serves the citizens of Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties by increasing access to education, income, health, and essentials. Our Give program is the heartbeat of our office. The United Way works hard to raise money our deserving local nonprofits that exhibit success in supplying our community access to education, income, health, and essentials. This office has distributed nearly $900,000 to this community in the last 15 years, but we want to do more. When you donate, it is dispersed to all our partner nonprofits in efforts to help their missions in our community. You are supporting each one. You may also designate your donation to a specific non-profit partner. Go to our website https://highway55unitedway.org/donate/ to view more info or DONATE!
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have worked hard to connect both nonprofits, and citizens in our community with the resources they need.
EDUCATION – ARTS & CRAFTS:
We received 200+ children’s wood crafting kits (Lowes – Tullahoma, Home Depot – Manchester) and distributed bags that included information on the 2-1-1 hotline, the craft kits, books, crayons, worksheets, pencils, and glue sticks. UWH55 provided these bags to the Coffee County School Nutrition Program, which dispersed them to children in Coffee County as a part of their meal distribution program.
INFORMATION RESOURCES:
Along with creating a community infographic for free local food & nutrition resources, we have worked closely with UWHWY55 Board Member Leigh Fogle on the “WeAreTullahoma.org” project which helps meet local needs that arise daily.
We have also worked with local media partners to promote the 2-1-1 Hotline which connects individuals in our community to help and resources they may need.
FOOD & WELLNESS RESOURCES:
UWHWY55 has assisted in promoting resources and needs – as well as collecting resources to support the ever-growing need at our local pantries. This includes partnerships with local grocery stores as well as facilitating thousands of dollars in donations from local businesses, individuals, and manufacturers.
American Craft Distillery in Lynchburg donated hand & surface sanitizer which we distributed non-profit organizations in need.
UWHWY55 has also acquired a grant to facilitate the development of a local community support-group program – developed by community members to ensure the mental well-being of our neighbors. This program was also facilitated by Mayor Lane Curlee in Tullahoma.
Here’s what some of our partners have been doing to support the community during the COVID-19 Pandemic…
Shepherd’s House
Executive Director: Tina Holman Owen
Phone: (931) 393-4818
https://shepherdshousetullahoma.com/
Our mission is to provide food, clothes, and temporary housing for the homeless while helping them gain independent employment and housing.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: The Shepherd’s House is currently operating at full capacity with 10 residents (5 women and 5 men). Tina states, “We were able to get 1 gentleman clothes, food, and a bus ticket home to KY”. The Shepherds House also helps homeless individuals with tickets to another shelter, with gas (if they have a car), or with a sleeping bag or tent if needed.
Fundraising has been paused for now. But everyone is healthy and there has been no exposure to COVID-19 that we are aware of.
STATISTICS, FEBRUARY & MARCH:
27 Residents Assisted
566 Individual Beds Provided
1698 Individual Meals Provided
NEEDS: Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fabric softener, Clorox wipes, Hand sanitize, Hamburger meat, Milk, Veggies and Fruits, Eggs and Cereal, Paper Towels, Light Bulbs, Sugar, Tea, Coffee, Bread and Sandwich Meat.
Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
Executive Director: Joyce Prusak
Phone: 931-723-8888
Our mission is to serve children who have been victims of severe abuse through prevention, education and intervention.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: Our staff is currently working from home, but come to the CAC for emergent cases. Our therapists are implementing tele-mental health to make sure children still get therapy and families feel supported during this time. We are still doing child abuse prevention awareness through social media right now.
NEEDS: We have seen a drop in referrals during this time which is tough for those that work in child welfare. Joyce, the Executive Director, states: “We know children are being abused at home, but there is no one to report it without teachers and the community that sees these kids! So, our needs aren’t as great immediately, but will be as soon as children get out and about again.” Once they open again, their immediate needs will be food boxes for families, hand soap, paper products, masks (child and adult sizes), sanitizers, plastic gloves, individually wrapped snacks for kids, and small bottles of water.
Coffee County Humane Society
Executive Director: Hazel Fannin
Phone: (931) 728-0903
The Coffee County Humane Society strives to promote the public interest in the general welfare and humane treatment of animals to prevent their suffering, neglect and abuse. Specifically, CCHS seeks to: provide humane care for animals needing protection; increase spay/neuter rates; assist low income families with needed veterinary care in case of illness or injury; seek homes for homeless pets; educate the public on animal welfare issues and responsible pet ownership.
Typically, annually they provide funding for about 600 spay or neuter surgeries & vet treatment for about 250 animals for severe illness or injury.
STATISTICS, MARCH:
Spayed 21 cats and neutered 12, for a total of 33 cats.
Spayed 9 female dogs
Total of 42 pets.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: Hazel explained these numbers are down from their average due to the virus. However, total expenditure for the spay/neuter surgeries was approximately $2,000. Rabies shots are included at time of surgery. “We also helped families with 16 emergency vet visits this month, ranging from parvo puppies, to broken limbs, to injuries from other animals or ingesting something not edible.” Total cost was an additional $2,200 for these visits – some of which were quite expensive.
NEEDS: Cat/kitten and dog/puppy food (dry and canned), scoopable cat litter, and disinfectant wipes. Donations of these items free up budget for spay, neuter & vet care expenses. Providing pet food for low income families is also a part of the CCHS outreach program.
Hospice of Highland Rim Foundation
Executive Director: Pat Howard
Phone: (931) 563-7439
http://www.hospiceofthehighlandrimfoundation.org/
Hospice of the Highland Rim Foundation operates to assist in meeting the needs of terminally ill patients and their families – to help reduce stress and improve their quality of life during their final days. By working directly with hospice providers, they are able to assess the needs of patients and cover urgent expenses which are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, or other resources. They serve Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln, Moore, and Warren Counties.
*HHRF does not provide hands on hospice care. The foundation works with area hospice to provide grants for food, and utilities hospice patients who need assistance.
NEEDS: The virus has impacted donations. Please consider assisting. Your donation will help with utility bills and food/nutrition.
Haven of Hope, Inc.
Regional Coordinator: Jennifer S
Director: Kellye Gilbert
Phone: (931) 680-3011
https://www.facebook.com/havenofhopetn/
Haven of Hope endeavors to carry out the mission of providing pro-active, curative, and preventative measures against domestic violence.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: Haven of Hope advocates served 20 new victims of domestic and/or sexual violence and stalking in Coffee and Moore Counties this past month – including emergency shelter, needs assessment, safety planning, and options/resources. Other services provided include court advocacy, counseling, personal advocacy, and information resources. Haven of Hope was able to provide $200.00 in food, gas cards and personal care items to victims. Haven of Hope advocates in Coffee County answered 174 hotline calls. This past month, Haven of Hope advocates have worked to maintain contact with clients and new victims that need assistance during this unique time. We have re-evaluated our operating procedures, almost daily, to make sure that victims still have access to all the same services and the ability to get relief through the criminal justice system. We have our clients, victims, their families, our community, and partners in our prayers!
NEEDS: Donations! $2.00 provides one-way transportation via Public Transport Van or a one-way Mega Bus ticket for victims to return to a safe out-of-area family environment. $104 per year will pay for 2 nights in emergency shelter per family. $104 can pay for one (1) food box for a family of four
Good Samaritan
Director: Cindy Kinney
Phone: (931) 455-7353
https://www.facebook.com/Good-Samaritan-of-Tullahoma-Ministry-2079654305660355/
Good Samaritan of Tullahoma is an organization designed to help those in need in Tullahoma. We distribute food through our food pantry, provide relief aid in crisis situations for utilities, rent, and some medication. In addition, our Dignity Campaign provides personal hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc.) and cleaning supplies. Our Baby Boom program provides baby needs (diapers, wipes, formula and food). our Animal Harbor provides pet food. All of these programs are available to distressed families in our community.
STATISTICS, MARCH:
Food to 90 families (103 adults and 40 children)
Dignity items for 3 families
Baby boom items for 4 families (2 adults and 4 children)
Animal Harbor – pet food provided for 7 families
Homeless individuals – 8 adults given food and clothing
Utility and Rental assistance – 11 families (17 adults and 6 children)
In addition, we started and continue to provide food for the Tullahoma Police Department Emergency Food Pantry (Box). Since we started this project (August 19, 2019 through the end on March 2020) we have placed 675 food items.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: Starting March 16 our Ministry discontinued financial assistance and has focused on providing food for those in need in our community – because of Covid-19.
NEEDS: Lysol or Clorox wipes, disinfectant spray cleaner that our essential personal can use at Good Samaritan or that we can distribute to our clients.
Partners for Healing
Director: Lynn Brumfield
Phone: (931) 455-5014
Our mission is to open our hearts and hands in love and understanding by providing compassionate health care and nurturing to the uninsured who are working, disabled or those transitioning into work in Coffee, Franklin, and Moore counties.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: During the crisis, our goal is to continue to support our patients with primary care and access to critical medications for their chronic conditions. The need for these medications has not stopped with the Covid-19 pandemic. In this time of social distancing, we are having our patients take their appointments on the telephone and then “drive thru” the office parking lot to pick up their medications. We continue to evaluate the situation and are making changes to our operations as needed.
STATISTICS, FEBRUARY & MARCH:
Patients Seen: 296
Prescriptions Dispensed: 1,092
CASA Works
Director: Wanda Strayhorn
Phone: (931) 455-7426
CASA Works believes that every child has a right to the safe embrace of a loving family. Volunteers are recruited, trained, and supervised to be Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused children in Juvenile Court in Bedford, Coffee and Franklin Counties.
Since the pandemic, CASA is not allowed to have face to face with the children that we serve. Our volunteers are calling, by phone and face-to-face through video chat in order to check on the status of their cases.
Coffee County Schools Family Resource Center
Coordinator: Taylor Rayfield
Phone: (931) 222-1066
http://www.coffeecountyschools.com/
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR: During this unprecedented time, Coffee County Schools, alongside district’s across the state, understand the hardships and challenges families are facing. The Coffee County Schools’ Student Support Services Team (School Nutrition, Family Resource Center, Coordinated School Health, Social Worker) has been working to meet the needs of students and families. These efforts include providing breakfast, lunch, and weekend backpack items to hundreds of students through the district’s #GetYourSelfieFed Campaign; delivering basic necessities; working with the community to ensure resources are equitably accessible across the county; filling up school ‘Book Boxes’ with great books and backpack food items; and providing continuous resources and support. To proactively and effectively ensure equitable support is provided to students and families, Coffee County Schools’ Student Support Services Team developed a COVID-19 referral form for students and families to fill out and have needs addressed in a timely manner. This referral form has been distributed to families and Student Support Services is addressing needs daily. Coffee County Schools Family Resource Center has been in constant communication with local non-profits, agencies, and elected leaders to provide up to date COVID-19 information including a COVID-19 Community Resource list that is on the FRC Website. Coffee County Schools’ Student Support Services Team is there for you to support and aid in times of distress and challenge.
COVID-19 Student Support Services Referral Form:
https://forms.gle/suUrrJ4u3rgGabvH8
COVID-19 Community Resources:
https://sites.google.com/k12coffee.net/ccssfrc/home
STATISTICS: Working alongside our school nutrition team, we have continued to provide backpack food to families who are coming through the drive-thru’s and handling case by case situations through our referral process. We have served well over 100 families.
STARS
CEO: Rodger Dinwiddie
1704 Charlotte Ave.
Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203
615-279-0058
STARS is a nonprofit organization that supports young people through the social and emotional barriers they face. Our five evidence-based school and community programs address issues like bullying, substance abuse and violence. In addition to our programs and services in Tennessee, STARS is also an important national resource for training and professional consultation.
Note from the Director: Immediately upon gaining knowledge that the schools and courts would be closed, the STARS counselors, therapists, treatment team and specialists implemented tele-supports and counseling to those currently on their caseloads. In fact, while schools were concerned about how they would provide academic instruction, they had not begun to have time to think about how to support the mental health needs of their students and families. Since week one of the stay at home orders, the STARS staff have been using district approved technologies to maintain commitment to our mission of providing hope, health and connection!
Statistics, March:
Intakes (students receiving ongoing STARS services) – 66
Individual sessions – 161
Incidents – 302
Crisis episodes – 147
Violence – 5
Homicidal – 0
Self-harming -4
Teacher/parent conflict- 27
Alcohol, tobacco or other drug use- 0
Anxiety – 35
Depression – 16
Suicide ideation – 8
DCS Referrals – 6
Other mental health issues – 23
Universal Presentations- 11
Success: The STARS Counselor at Warren County High School has been able to continue to provide ongoing support to students and their families while schools are closed due to COVID 19 crisis by reaching out the students via telephone and offering ongoing support. The students and families have been extremely grateful to have access to support services. The STARS Counselor is staying in constant contact with school administrators and school counselors.
Other 2019-20 UWHWY55 Partners Include:
- Child Development Center
- Community Development Center – Families
- Coffee County Imagination Library
- Warren County Meals on Wheels
- Life Choices
- FCA
*For information on support or donations, please contact director Ashley Abraham at: Director@Highway55UnitedWay.org