2018 was a year of necessary growth and change.

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2 Norma has been coming to Fresh Fridays since we began the ministry four years ago. She now attends and serves at one of our mobile locations, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. In 2018, we began our journey of mobile ministry in several West Nashville neighborhoods, expanding our reach even further than before. We anchored ourselves in the community by pursuing a permanent home. We have become laser-focused on meeting the needs of the people we serve, communicating our vision, and planning for our future was a year of necessary growth and change.

3 Protect and Empower the Entire Family We not only partner with the next generation by providing community events and mentorship for kids and teens but stand with their families helping them overcome adversities. With single mothers and their kids being our main demographic of service, we have a ministry called Dream Center Moms. We encourage these women to plan for themselves and their children and to stop the cycle of distress. They meet once a week to enjoy intentional community around a meal, and they receive other resources, like counseling services, that provide opportunities for growth emotionally, professionally and financially. Empowering moms can stop generational poverty in its tracks. Protect and Empower Through Food Resources The neighborhoods we serve are located in a food desert, a place that lacks access to affordable and high-quality fresh food. Traveling by foot or bus to grocery stores in neighboring communities is difficult. We now have partnerships with Whole Foods, Aldi and Sprouts Farmers Market, rescuing food a combined six days per week and distributing the food in the community five days a week through mobile food sites. Protect and Empower Through Community We offer weekly meals and Community Nights for our neighbors and younger friends to enjoy. Our partnership with the local police precinct has also improved the perception of law enforcement in the community, and crime rates are down 25% due to the West Nashville Precinct Community Engagement initiative. Police officers show up at our events with one goal: to protect, support and invest in our families.

4 This year was our 5 year anniversary! Secured $40,500 in foundational grant funding 230% increase in food distribution Expansion of Mobile Food Ministry Addition of Sprouts donations Served 1,152 meals through Summer is for Kids

5 We have a lot to celebrate! We had 3,479 total volunteers serve Weekly, an average of 132 volunteers 8,470 total hours throughout the year We had 13,595 total touch-points with our neighbors Interacted with an average of 426 community members weekly through our ministries

6 I learned about the West Nashville Dream Center five years ago from volunteers repeatedly knocking on my door inviting us to programs, and I eventually let my kids attend. They told me all the fun things they did and the way they worshiped God, so I eventually attended myself. Everyone learned who I was quickly and it made me feel welcomed because people called me by my name! I wanted to know more about WNDC when I learned they met seven days a week doing different events, activities, dinners, and just enjoying each other s company all while learning about Jesus and each other! My favorite part is the Mom s group. I was skeptical at first because I m a secretive person, and I thought I wouldn t fit in. I became comfortable enough to open up and express myself. Life is a BIG journey, and now I have a group of people to tag along with me. I felt like I was a part of the dream when I learned that my opinion actually mattered. They want to hear what we think, how we feel and get our ideas as well. They believe in me. They support the woman I m becoming. I had a dream and a vision to start my own business, and they made it become a reality. I started my race alone, but the WNDC is walking towards victory right beside me! Deidre s Story Deidre started a professional cleaning business in 2017, has paid off a significant amount of debt this year and is working toward her dream of owning a home.

7 Multiple Mobile Ministries Impacting One Family A family member shared information with Martin and Malaysia about the WNDC. When they first visited Mobile Food Monday at Village West, they were in awe of how dedicated the volunteers were. The food donations helped them make ends meet between paychecks. Now they attend Mobile Food Tuesday as well and bring their children, Terossa and Martin III, to Community Night on Wednesdays. They are grateful for the new family they have found in the WNDC and believe God was in the details. Through our partnership with Second Harvest, food donations from Whole Foods, Sprouts and Aldi are mobilized five days a week into the communities we serve.

8 Mobile Food Ministry + Community Night In September 2018 we expanded our Community Night Ministry, a time for families to come together and engage in intentional relationships with each other, to include Mobile Food Ministry Distribution. We also replicated our Wednesday Community Night in the Preston Taylor Neighborhood and are now hosting one at Village West Apartments on Monday and at Skyview Apartments on Thursday each week. Dream Streets Saturdays The first Saturday of every month is our integral Dream Streets Ministry, where we go door-to-door handing out fresh food and checking on our neighbors. It s the heart of our organization: meeting people where they are at and extending a hand of help and grace towards them. We also launched the Dream Center baseball team on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month! This ministry is used to teach our children and teens the value of teams, provide positive mentorship, and help them learn a new skill.

9 Dream Center Moms and Kids Even though our Sundays look a bit different now that we are in a season of mobile ministry, we continue to meet for Sunday worship by partnering with area churches. Afterward, we have our Dream Center Mom s small group and provide childcare and safe community for their children on Sunday afternoons. Dream Center Students We continue to work with area schools to pour into the next generation of middle and high school students. Our Student Ministry meets every Tuesday evening at West Park Community Center to foster community with each other and form relationships with mentors. We believe that with the presence of positive role models in such a pivotal time in students lives can help them discover their passions and pursue their dreams. Pictured left is Tey, a senior who is currently pursuing his dreams of being the first in his family to attend college and further his career as a music artist.

10 After the West Nashville Dream Center had been open for almost a year, I got connected through a Cross Point Church serving project. The energy that the WNDC gives and the motivation to help is contagious. I was motivated to be part of the dream from my first interaction. I am a single mom, so the Dream Center Mom s program interested me the most. Fifteen years ago, when I became a single mom in Knoxville, I did not know where that would lead until now. I have built relationships with the volunteers, staff and most importantly with the moms at the WNDC they are my community. Although every mom has lived a different story, we have one mission, and that is to support and love each other unconditionally. The WNDC staff and volunteers have shown us how to do that every day. That is why I stay connected and will continue to be part of the dream. I believe God puts us on this earth for a purpose and it is our job to seek it. The WNDC helps fulfill my purpose and allows me to be me. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 I believe God puts us on this earth for a purpose and it is our job to seek it.

11 Jenn has been a volunteer for almost five years. She says her time volunteering and building community at the WNDC is one of the reasons she is currently pursuing a master s degree to become a licensed social worker. Jennifer s Story

12 Where We ve Been and Where We re Going How resources were used to equip ministry in 2018 Church Support Foundational Grants Events/Fundraisers Individual Giving Dixi is one of the newest Dream Team members. Currently, the Dream Team contributes 32% of our monthly operating budget. What we did with those resources in 2018 Hired a program director for our Summer is for Kids day camp Purchased and branded a food truck Expanded/replicated all ministries and programs with ease as we moved into mobile ministry Reorganized staffing model to accommodate leadership changes and mobile ministry needs Expanded our Community Night and Food Ministries Where we are going in 2019 Acquire operational funding to hire a mental health counselor that will be available for the people we serve Expand our student and children s ministry staffing as well as add pastoral staff Purchase a second 13 passenger van to ease transportation needs during mobile ministry Secure a new home for the WNDC

13 I came to a church service one Sunday for the first time by myself. When I sat down, a little boy came and climbed into my lap. His mom eventually came over and sat with us as well. I was blown away at the genuine love and family atmosphere I experienced. Instantly I knew I had to get more involved. I was able to mentor one of the younger girls for a little while, and soon started volunteering at Community Night. Community Night is something that I look forward to that gives me life every week. The children I get to serve are like family. Their love is genuine. There is no judgment. I truly feel like we are all equal, welcome and celebrating life amidst our struggles, even though our struggles look a little different. Regardless of what is going on in my life, I can smile, play, eat and love these kids and be loved by them. It reminds me what life is about. My time at the WNDC has inspired me to know that I have something to share and that those I meet, regardless of circumstance or walk of life, have something to share with me. The WNDC families are strong, and they don t give up. I am inspired by the staff, and how they fight for me and for our families in West Nashville. No challenge is too big for them. The WNDC is truly the most real place I have seen in Nashville. Natalie is just one of the 132 volunteers it takes to run the WNDC on a weekly basis. Natalie has recently helped us connect with our Hispanic neighbors because of her Spanish-speaking background. Natalie s Story

14 Letter from TJ 2018 was a year of both incredible highs and opportunities for growth for the West Nashville Dream Center. We weathered many storms, but a plea from a nine-year-old, longtime friend of the WNDC is what has carried our team through. When she found out we were leaving 4007 Delaware she asked, If you guys leave, who will take care of us? It was in that moment we all looked at each other and declared, We can t leave, there are still people who need the Dream Center. We took that motivation, went through each ministry, and found a way to make everything we do feasible without a physical location. Honestly, there is no other way to explain what has grown from this season other than God opened the heavens. We have seen a massive increase in people attending events and receiving our services. We receive calls daily asking where we are. Since we left 4007 Delaware, we ve operated out of our food truck, on sidewalks, a community center, a church basement. In September we hit our highest number of individuals served through our food ministry when we fed 1,052 people. However, it s not just an increase in numbers we get to celebrate; the most powerful thing is seeing our staff and volunteers link arms, strengthen their bond and see to it that every ministry happens on a daily basis. We have created spaces for people to do life together, grow, and empower each other. I cannot wait to see what happens in 2019 as we continue to seek a place to anchor and create a home for people to be healed and find hope again. Last but not least, I want to say thank you. Each one of you put your faith in us. You graciously offer your resources, your time, and prayers to continue to be part of what God is doing in West Nashville. Thank you for choosing to be part of the dream. TJ Fletcher Executive Director

15 2018 Was a Year to Remember As an organization, we persevered through every challenge with God s help. We transformed our programs to meet the needs of our community like never before. To continue loving on the people of West Nashville we need to accrue approximately $75,000 in additional revenue to meet our 2018 operating budget. We invite you to partner with us as we close 2018 and build a strong foundation for If you would like to give Mail a check in the postmarked envelope prior to December 31st or go online to If you would like to serve Sign up to serve along side us at

16 West Nashville Dream Center PO Box Nashville, TN Non Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT NO. 933