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It is our pleasure to announce The Journey Home’s Capital Campaign.
Since 2006, The Journey Home has operated at 308 West Castle Street, Murfreesboro and has worked to rehouse and provide basic needs for our unhoused residents of Rutherford County. The rental building we currently operate is a part of the planned Historic Bottoms Redevelopment by the City of Murfreesboro and soon will no longer be available.
After evaluating our options, we have developed a plan to make certain that The Journey Home (TJH) can provide high-quality services for years to come for our most vulnerable residents. The relocation of The Journey Home’s Resource Center to 1231 Old Salem Road will add desperately needed emergency family housing and provide the square footage needed to serve the unhoused. Dow Smith Company has developed architectural plans for the 23,000 sq. ft. facility with an estimated cost of $5.5M.
TJH’s vision is for everyone to have permanent housing and we believe we have created a robust plan to rehouse the poorest of the poor. We hope you will join us in supporting this important initiative as we implement our best solution for taking care of our unhoused.
Scott Foster, Executive Director
Russ Galloway, M.D., Campaign Chair
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Our Story
Founded by visionary leader Scott Foster, The Journey Home has positively impacted thousands of unhoused and disadvantaged men, women, and children in Rutherford County over the past 16 years. This community-driven ministry has grown from a one-person volunteer endeavor to a robust ministry with 12 staff members, 20 board members, more than 1,000 volunteers, and over 100 church and community partners which serve over 1,800 people each year. The ministry is known for fostering collaboration and galvanizing people around a common vision to care for unhoused individuals and families, which strengthens and improves the entire community.
THE CHALLENGE OF HOMELESSNESS US ALL, WHETHER OR
Scott Foster Russ Galloway, M.D.
HOMELESSNESS AFFECTS NOT WE ARE HOUSED.
119 households MOVED INTO STABLE HOUSING
247 households AVOIDED EVICTION
366 total households STABILIZED
What Stands in the Way of Eliminating Homelessness?
More resources are needed to do this life-changing work in Rutherford County. We know that our service delivery is effective, and the data and stories of life change prove it. But we lack adequate space to operate efficiently and expand our services.
Proven Solutions
The collaborative work of TJH and community partners has made a significant impact in reducing homelessness in Rutherford County.
But, there is much more to do.
Reducing homelessness requires multiple services and resources at the same time.
Stabilization:
Meet immediate needs (nourishing meals, clothing, hygiene resources, health services, coaching). Our Resource Center is the hub for this work, serving over 1,800 people this past year.
Transition:
Move individuals and families into stable housing and engage supports to maintain that stability. In 2022, TJH helped 119 households move into stable housing and an additional 247 households avoid eviction for a total of 366 households stabilized in their housing.
Moving unhoused people from the streets of Rutherford County into stable housing benefits us all.
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The Project
Our new 23,000 square-foot facility at 1231 Old Salem Highway will:
✓ Expand stabilization services (coaching, housing coordination, family housing, health, and mental health care)
✓ Create space for new services (employment assistance, group meetings, and teaching)
✓ Provide 10 units of short-term family housing, filling a vital need as there are currently only four units in all of Rutherford County
✓ Consolidate TJH support services, allowing clients to access multiple resources in one location
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Data Points
✓ Total Square Footage: 23,400 square feet
✓ Number of floors: 2
First Floor: Initial Buildout (15,900 sq. ft.);
Second Floor: Future Expansion (7,500 sq. ft.) Amenities
✓ Short Term Family Housing
Ten Units - Each Family Unit is 300 sq. ft. Restroom, One Full-Size Bed, Twin Bunk Bed, Desk, and Microwave.
Group Family Dining Space
✓ Expanded Program Services Area
✓ Community Cafe’ - Seating for 50
✓ Expanded Commercial Kitchen
✓ Conference/Training Center
✓ Program and Administrative Offices
✓ Wellness Center - Mental and Medical Health
✓ Chapel
✓ The Market - Personal Necessities
✓ Four Shower Stalls
✓ Laundry
✓ Secure Storage Lockers
✓ Energy Efficient Building
✓ Adequate Parking
✓ Land: The Journey Home owns the 1.4 acres of undeveloped land where the project will be constructed. The property is one mile from the existing facility.
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OF AMERICANS ARE ONLY TWO PAYCHECKS AWAY FROM A FINANCIAL CRISIS
65% >3,500 EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY IN 2022
The Need
Conservative estimates tell us that more than 3,500 people experienced homelessness in Rutherford County in 2022.
As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, Rutherford County is experiencing a high demand for housing—resulting in a shortage that prohibits the most vulnerable from securing a place to live.
TJH is embarking on this critical campaign to ensure we can serve more people in need and make our community a better, stronger, and safer place for all.
Approximately 65% of Americans are only two paychecks away from a financial crisis which can lead to homelessness. Helping people who are at risk of becoming homeless before it happens benefits both the people being served and our community.
The Challenge
Complexity of Causes
The causes of homelessness are complex and many. Childhood trauma, family dysfunction, abuse, neglect, violence, mental illness, addiction, chronic medical conditions, social dysfunction, generational homelessness, poor educational achievement, lack of affordable housing, and an inability to work due to lack of childcare are some contributing factors. The cluster of issues for any given individual or family is unique, but the pain, devastation, and generational impact are universal.
Devastating Community Impact
People who are unhoused may bear the destructive effects of untreated mental and physical illness, trauma, addiction, exclusion, isolation, shame, exploitation, violence, and even loss of life. Much of their suffering is hidden, particularly the desperate struggles of unsheltered families with children who long for stability and want to minimize traumatic experiences for their children.
People who are housed bear a burden as well, by witnessing the continuing suffering of those who are most vulnerable and enduring the moral cost and ongoing frustration of wanting to help and not knowing how.
Communities are also greatly impacted by homelessness. Unhoused people consume a disproportionate number of public resources (police, fire department, ambulance, hospital) and may create safety concerns for businesses and families.
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The Opportunity
We can drastically reduce homelessness in Rutherford County, but we need more space for stabilization services and additional, permanent supportive housing units.
TJH’s Unhoused Campaign aims to ensure that all those in need receive essential services to keep them off the streets. Our new resource center will keep families together, provide secure spaces for children, and make sure that our community is a safer place for all.
While we don’t know exactly how these funds will come in, experience and wisdom tell us that we will need gifts like these to successfully fund our vision to love God and serve people in need in our community.
THE TIME IS NOW!
How Can I Give?
This $5.5M campaign will be made possible by the generosity of our community. Your caring gift will change the trajectory for disadvantaged children, families and individuals, help restore a person’s faith, give them hope, and change the lives of people for generations to come. Together we can help break the cycle of homelessness in Rutherford County. Please consider a three-year gift commitment.
For questions about making a donation, please contact Lisbeth Couser at LCouser@LoveGodServePeople.org or call 865.278.8757.
is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
NUMBER OF GIFTS $ GIFT AMOUNT $ AMOUNT FROM LEVEL CUMULATIVE AMOUNT % OF TOTAL 1 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 18% 2 $500,000 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 36% 3 $250,000 $750,000 $2,750,000 50% 7 $100,000 $700,000 $3,450,000 63% 14 $50,000 $700,000 $4,150,000 75% 22 $25,000 $550,000 $4,700,000 85% 30 $10,000 $300,000 $5,000,000 91% many <$10,000 +$500,000 +$5,500,000 +100%
The
Cash/Checks • PO Box 331025 Murfreesboro, TN
Non-Cash Gifts • Stock, property, assets Online • https://journeyhome-bloom.kindful.com Pledges • Online or request a pledge card
Journey Home
37133
$5.5M GOAL OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS >> >>
Love God. Serve People. LoveGodServePeople.org • 615-809-2644 “I don ’ t know where I would be wIthout the Journey home. they fed me, they
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turn my lIfe around.”
