On a personal note... Please forgive me as I go personal for a moment. One year ago today Andy @andybyoung60 and I made a decision that would change our lives in so many amazing ways. AFTER 50 YEARS WE BOTH QUIT SMOKING! And the thing we are both so proud of is the fact that we did not slip up even once! Thank you to everyone who prayed for us and encouraged us! And I want to personally thank my beautiful, amazing, incredible wife for being the air that I breathe and giving me the courage to believe in myself and know that anything is possible! But, most importantly we want to praise God because without Him this post wouldn't have been written. Be blessed and...as always...much love! #stilllivingthebestblessedlife

We've started to prepare for winter and I'm already suffering from sticker shock. The calls are rolling in. Our first load of propane (about a 4 -5 week supply depending on weather) is in the warehouse. Price tag? $2,132.91 I think it's important you see where the money you donate is being spent because we can't do this without you. Out of every dollar you give, 93-94 cents is spent directly on providing for our friends. And they are always grateful! With your support, we will once again make sure they have everything they need to survive the next 5 months. #BoomBetterWorld #ifnotuswho #ifnotnowwhen #love #hope #theydomatter #endhomelessnessnow #endhomelessness Please help us continue to let our friends know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

Stopped in to check on Jeff today, and he's been busy! You met him a couple of weeks ago, and since then, he has expanded his workshop and made his "home" a little more welcoming. All while continuing to create beautiful works of art. There is a special spirit you feel when you are in his presence, leaving no doubt he lives a life devoted to God. And he'll be the first to tell you that wasn't always the case. THIS is why we do what we do and why we are so blessed doing it. We are working on a way for you to be able to see and purchase his work, so stay tuned. #BoomBetterWorld #love #hope #talent #theydomatter #endhomelessness #beinghomelesssucks

The last 2 days I will cherish forever... In the past 48 hours, I had the joy and privilege to sit back and watch as a young man @brodygobbell from @fatherryanhighschool @fatherryanathletics, who wanted to spend his community service hours blessing our friends, work side by side with Eddy, one of our friends who is in our "A Place Called Home" program who wanted to give back. They worked hard filling food bags, delivering water, and winter coats (so our friends will be ready for the cold weather that's right around the corner). And did so with smiles on their faces and a ton of compassion in their hearts. Then we made a trip to Lebanon to pick up a dining room set couch and love seat that gets us close to having our APCH home fully furnished. Thanks to @eliteevents.musiccity It was truly an amazing experience. And it's why I feel lucky and blessed to do what I do. Thank you both for making this old man so very proud to know you both! #BoomBetterWorld #love #hope #theydomatter #endhomelessness APCH would have never happened without some amazing partners like @apriltomlininteriors @rjosi90 @eottaway @predsfoundation @smiledirectclub @amypappas_parks @pella_tn and @happyhiller Please help us continue to let our friends know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

Say hello to Terry! He was our very first resident at A Place Called Home; "The Tomlin House" in Memory of Ashley Nebel when he moved in 9 months ago. Since then he has stopped drinking, gotten a job, and bought a car. And he's getting stronger each and every day. Every time we see each other or talk on the phone, when it's time for me to leave or hang up I always get, "Love ya, buddy", to which I respond, Love you too". But, before any of that could happen, he had to know that he mattered and somebody cared about and believed in him. He also needed to feel safe and not be pressured or rushed. That's what makes APCH different from any other program. We walk with them, at their pace and each resident, like Terry, has their own bedroom, their own personal "safe" space. APCH is not a transitional house, halfway house, or sober living house. We strive to create a sense of family and provide a home for them. One where they can heal, grow, and become who they truly want to be. While giving them the strength to one day move out and up. Hopefully to never have to call the streets "home" again. We are so proud of you Terry and we can't wait to see what lay ahead for you! THIS is why we do what we do! #BoomBetterWorld #APCH #love #hope #theydomatter #handupnotout #endhomelessness APCH would have never happened without some amazing partners like @apriltomlininteriors @rjosi90 @eottaway @predsfoundation @smiledirectclub @amypappas_parks @pella_tn and @happyhiller Please help us continue to let our friends know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

It will be here before you know it! Our 5th. Annual Miracle on 4th. auction. It will be virtual again this year, November 9-12. If you are a business owner or manager or know someone who is, we could use your help! We need items or services that we can include in the auction, i.e. restaurants, boutiques, services, jewelry, art, memorabilia, collectibles, etc. and it's easy to donate. Just go to our profile, click the link, and tap Miracle on 4th. Silent Auction Donation Form. So mark your calendars , share with your friends, spread the word, and know you are appreciated and loved! #BoomBetterWorld #Miracleon4th #theydomatter #hope #love #endhomelessness

It took multiple stops, five transfers, and 57+ hours, but Jody is now home. She called looking for a shelter for women, the 4 she called first were strike-outs. She wasn't an abuse victim and didn't have a drug/alcohol problem, so that eliminated 3 of them The only shelter that would have said yes was full. As we talked I could tell she wasn't from the south, so I asked a little more about her situation and this is what I heard, "I came for love, but it didn't work out and now I'm stuck, with almost no money, and I've been sleeping behind a building for the past 3 nights. I have no family & my friends back home can't help. I was hoping I could find someplace I could get a shower, something to eat, and a good night's sleep until I could figure something out". We talked some more and after I heard the whole story I could only think of one answer that made sense. That's when I asked if she would like to go back home. I wish you could have experienced her response. When the emotions subsided some, and she could talk, we went to work to make it all happen. And this is the text I got today; "Hi Steven, it's Jody. Wanted to say thank you again. I still can't believe someone would do this for me. It's been a true blessing and it was so cool to listen to your story (very sorry it all happened). I do want you to know it gave me the hope I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and do what I need to get what I want. Like you told me, "Friends forever, right?. Talk to ya soon!" And I can't wait! #BoomBetterWorld #love #hope #youvegotafriend #handupnotout #itcanhappentoanyone #beinghomelesssucks #endhomelessness #homeless #homelessness Please help us continue to let them know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

New friends day... They were living in a tent that had a door that wouldn't close and the mosquitoes and other insects kept getting in. They were sleeping with nothing but the tent floor between them and the ground. They carried all their personal belongings in Walmart & Dollar General bags. They had no food, no water, just a few snacks for food, and practically zero hygiene products. Until they got our number and gave us a call. Now they are much more comfortable with something between them and their NEW TENT floor, one with a door that zips shut and keeps out the insects. They have new heavy-duty backpacks to keep their belongings in & several months' supply of personal hygiene. As well as food and water. But, more importantly, they now have friends that are only a phone call away. And that's huge when you are homeless. I heard her, with a soft quiet voice, tell him, "It's like Christmas". WOW! THIS is why we do what we do! #BoomBetterWorld #love #hope #youvegotafriend #theydomatter #beinghomelesssucks #endhomelessness #homeless #homelessness Please help us continue to let them know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

No words, only sadness & tears, as we look at the possibility of losing over 100 of our friends for the 7th. year in a row. #theydomatter #endhomelessness #youwillnotbeforgotten

It can literally happen overnight. I got a call last night from one of our caring followers to see if we could help someone who would quickly become our newest friends. Say hello to Lisa and Thomas. A bad and sad set of circumstances left them needing assistance. Lisa had to be out of her apartment today, so Thomas (who was already homeless) went to help her pack yesterday and when he went back to his tent, it was destroyed and most of his belongings gone. We talked, and then today I went to meet with them after the rain moved out. The prospect of having to sleep wherever they could without any protection from the elements tonight is no longer a worry. They have everything they need. The look of relief on their faces and gratitude that was obvious in their voices is why we do what we do. #BoomBetterWorld #theydomatter #youvegotafriend #love #hope #endhomelessness #beinghomelesssucks If you would like to help us continue to provide for our friends, you can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile and tapping DONATE. Thank You and God Bless!

I took the call and this is what I heard; "Steve, this is Brian" and I responded with "How are you, my friend". "Tired", he said. "Tired enough", I asked. He assured me he was after I reminded him what my definition of tired was. But I already knew. I could hear it in his voice. That's when I put off where I was going, immediately turned around, and went to see him. When I got there he laid out his plan and I was skeptical at first. We had been down this road twice before. But, after some hard questioning brought the correct responses, I told him we were all in. He was ready to get his life back. Like myself and so many others who have ended up on the streets, we can be our own worst enemy. But, that doesn't mean we don't deserve however many chances it may take to get it right. I know what it feels like to be written off and given up on. That's why I always say, "You are never too far gone for God". And if He doesn't give up on us, who are we to give up on others? You can do this Brian! We believe in you! You've got this and God has you! We are just proud to play a very small part! #BoomBetterWorld #howevermanyittakes #nevergiveup #theydomatter #love #hope #loveequalshope #thelongroadhome #endhomelessness #beinghomelesssucks #homeless #homelessness Please help us continue to let them know #theydomatter by giving what you can. Every dollar counts & 93 cents of each dollar given goes directly to providing for our friends. You can do so via VENMO at @ homestreethome or by clicking the link in our profile & choosing DONATE or consider being a monthly supporter by choosing HOPE PARTNER. Thank You & God Bless!

For the past couple of years, the city & state has increased the forced shutdown & clearing (so they can't return) of homeless camps like pictured here. A recently published study by the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed just how wrong it was to approach the issue this way. "Dead" wrong! Metro defends its policy by saying everyone is offered housing, and I was told recently that no one ever says no. This is extremely misleading. First, not everyone says yes to housing. I know several who didn't. Some just aren't ready to make such a profound move and they shouldn't be punished because of it. So what's the answer in this situation? Sanctioned camps! They have worked well all over the country and in those cases, the homeless numbers have decreased. And not too long ago most organizations in Nashville pushed for them, but in the past 2 years, they dropped that idea and got on the "housing or nothing" wagon. Not everyone can handle going from nothing to everything all at once. And they shouldn't be left behind, tossed aside, written off, or forgotten. If you say you care about our homeless, you should care about them all, equally And as for the ones that say yes, well a lot of them have been waiting months and some over a year and still haven't been placed. They've been stuck in temporary housing that in many cases is barely better than the streets. The frustration causing several to move back to the streets. At some of the temporary housing facilities organizations like ours aren't even welcomed there. Again, the bottom line in my opinion is this; we need sanctioned camps if we really want to get this under control. One size DOES NOT fit all! #theydomatter #1stClassnot2ndClassCitizens #love #hope #theydeservebetter #beinghomelesssucks #endhomelessness