For the almost 10,000 kids in Middle Tennessee who experience homelessness, life is full of challenges.
Soles4Souls works with our school and community partners to deliver new shoes to kids who need them most.
For a donation of just $20, you can provide a new pair of athletic shoes to a child in need.
This annual edition is always one of my favorites. I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.
Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they're the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment.
Secondarily, who could forget pets? The special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry or feathery friends? The bond is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility and companionship.
I certainly love and cherish my sweet dog, Jack, shown here.
What children and pets share in common is that they need us. Our care, attention and intention shapes how they are raised and who they become. We hope this edition inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.
Warm regards,
PUBLISHER
Jennifer Kaufman | j.kaufman@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Stephanie Krejci | stephanie.krejci@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue Baldani, Julie Brown Patton, Jennifer Kaufman
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sid Sadler, James Williams, Natalie Bisignano
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
JENNIFER KAUFMAN, PUBLISHER @MUSICCITYCITYLIFESTYLE
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
For couples struggling with the heartbreak of infer�lity, the journey to achieving a healthy live birth is o�en long, expensive, and both physically and emo�onally exhaus�ng.
While in vitro fer�liza�on (IVF) offers a promising route for some, there’s another op�on that is o�en faster, less expensive, and provides a higher probability of producing a healthy baby: embryo adop�on.
“Many people don’t know about embryo adop�on, even some specialists in the field,” says Jaime Vasquez, M.D., a global industry leader and owner of the American Embryo Adop�on Agency in Nashville, a clinic that facilitates over 150 embryo adop�ons each year. “It’s one of the greatest demonstra�ons of love there is for both donor parents and adop�ve parents.”
The embryo adop�on process begins with an IVF pa�ent who has frozen embryos remaining a�er they have successfully completed their family and achieved a healthy live birth or births. Rather than paying for indefinite storage or allowing for termina�on, couples can choose to preserve this precious life and, without compensa�on, donate the embryos, as “there’s no currency to match the value of
human life,” says Dr. Vasquez.
“Donor parents are o�en so grateful for their successful IVF experience that they want to share that success with another couple going through the same fer�lity challenges,” he adds.
Adop�ve embryos undergo rigorous gene�c tes�ng to ensure the absence of abnormali�es that would prohibit a successful pregnancy or live birth. The embryo’s DNA quali�es are so in�mately known that adop�ve parents can select the gender, race, and even hair and eye colors of their adop�ve child. The process of receiving donated embryos is private, discreet, and allows the intended parents to have their future children resemble their own features or racial heritage if desired.
The financial requirements, too, are a significant considera�on in comparing embryo adop�on with tradi�onal adop�on or IVF. Both tradi�onal adop�on and each IVF cycle
can cost upward of $50,000, while the en�re embryo adop�on process is typically less than $15,000 and requires drama�cally less medical interven�on for the host mother.
Embryo adop�on is par�cularly helpful for women struggling with low-quality eggs. “The process is more reliable than IVF because the donated embryos have already received the highest level of DNA tes�ng, and unlike tradi�on adop�on, embryo adop�on mothers can s�ll experience the miracle of pregnancy, childbirth, and even breas�eeding, if they choose,” says Dr. Vasquez.
The American Embryo Adop�on Agency does not discriminate based on a pa�ent’s marital status or sexual orienta�on.
“Our job is to serve people,” says Dr. Vasquez. “We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a family, and it’s a wonderful gi� for an adop�ve parent to offer an unborn child the opportunity of life.”
The American Embryo Adop�on Agency is a sister organiza�on of The Center for Reproduc�ve Health, a comprehensive Nashville-based fer�lity clinic that has helped couples achieve their dreams of family for over 20 years. www.crhnashville.com
TheAmerican Embryo Adop� on Agency
offers a unique, reliable, and cost-effec�ve path for achieving a healthy pregnancy and live birth.
Where neighbors can see and be seen.
Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @musiccitycitylifestyle
1-7: Parkes West Luxury Apartments Grand Opening Celebration.
Adams Wealth Partners recently hosted their first annual kids camp. A lot of fun was had by all, and everyone learned some valuable lessons about money. We were impressed with how generous the kids were with money and more importantly how much they all valued saving. We received some great feedback from both the parents and the kids – with the lemonade stand being the crowd favorite!
We look forward to hosting many more in the future.
When David walked into the room
Who is that random guy?!
Drake
What do you know about money?
You shouldn’t spend it all at once.
Avery
Over time it’s worth less.
What should you spend your money on?
Something to make me live longer! Talon Shoes! Greyson
How would you share your money?
Animal Shelters! Annabel
Children’s Hospitals!
Dozens who knew late animal welfare pioneer Phran Galante packed the lobby of Pet Community Center’s new facility, The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness, to celebrate its dedication at 5233 Harding Place, Suite 5247. At 5,400 square feet, it's nearly three times the size of PCC's former clinic in East Nashville. Once fully operational, the facility will increase surgery capacity by 4,000 animals a year, preventing an estimated 20,000 unwanted puppies and kittens annually.
As of Aug. 1, Dr. Adam Neder was appointed Belmont University new associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences serving the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. He previously was a professor of theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. He was voted most influential professor by the 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2017 Whitworth senior classes. He received his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Downtown Nashville's oldest pocket park recently was renovated, and now provides new and enhanced programming from Downtown Partnership supporters. Improvements were made possible by a 2022 agreement with Metro Parks and funding by Amazon to operate the park and underwrite daily programming. Activities include live music, yoga, art projects, a Recess Cart with chess and other games, and Music and Movement Story Time with the Nashville Public Library. For more event information, visit NashvilleDowntown.com
Bobby Hotel in Nashville has a new greeter: Zoe, as dog-in-residence ambassador in training with expert trainer, Linda Gregg. Zoe was adopted from the Nashville Humane Association. The previous dog ambassador, Hairy, recently was adopted by a US veteran after a year and a half at Bobby Hotel through a partnership with Pets for Patriots. Zoe, too, will train to become a companion pup for a US veteran within a 40-mile driving radius of Nashville.
For the almost 10,000 kids in Middle Tennessee who experience homelessness, life is full of challenges.
Soles4Souls works with our school and community partners to deliver new shoes to kids who need them most.
For a donation of just $20, you can provide a new pair of athletic shoes to a child in need.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MusicCity
Photography by Natalie Bisignano
Soles4Souls, one of the top-rated nonprofits in the country, has made a huge impact in the lives of so many. Since 2006, the nonprofit has been collecting new and used shoes and clothing to help people both locally and around the world.
Today, with its 4EveryKid program, began in 2020, school children experiencing homelessness no longer have to feel like they don’t belong, or be subject to bullying because of what they’re wearing on their feet.
“About four years ago, we were introduced to Catherine Knowles, who heads up the HERO (Homeless Education Resource Office) program in the Metro Nashville Public Schools system,” says Rod Arnold, chief marketing officer for Soles4Souls. “The program is responsible for assisting all the kids in the area experiencing homelessness.”
Catherine shared a story about a girl named Lyla who was in and out of different homes and showed up to school one day with the only shoes she owned, which was one pink flip flop and one pink cowboy boot. While the HERO program bought her a pair of shoes, they didn’t have the budget for shoes, and there was such a huge need.
“At that time, there were about 3,000 kids experiencing homelessness in Nashville; now, it's about 4,000 kids,” he says.
It was then that Soles4Souls made a commitment to provide a new pair of shoes to these children every year. Rod says, “We started the 4EveryKid program in Nashville and we're expanding it. In Middle Tennessee, there are about 10,000 kids experiencing homelessness in our schools and nationally it’s about 1.5 million. We’re working our way to getting all these kids new shoes every year.
“Whether it's a 10-year-old or a 15-year-old who goes to school with shoes that don't fit or that are torn up or are old and have holes in them, it's hard to feel like you belong, and those things matter a lot. Plus, when shoes are too tight, that discomfort can make it hard for children to concentrate and learn. Conversely, shoes that are too large can be a trip and fall hazard."
He adds, “When you give kids a new pair of shoes, there’s this big shift in how they feel about themselves and their level of confidence. So far, we’ve distributed about 130,000 pairs of shoes through this program. We collect a lot of data from the schools, and we see that these kids are now more likely to attend school, plus we're starting to see that their grades are going up, and they are more likely to participate in gym class and extracurricular activities such as sports. So, it has had a tremendous effect on them.”
Thanks to partnerships with Footlocker, Reebok, Under Armor, Shaquille O’Neal’s branded sneakers and others, Soles4Souls has been able to purchase shoes at wholesale costs.
The nonprofit is busy raising money to buy these shoes. It costs about $20 to provide each kid with a pair of shoes. While Soles4Souls collects used shoes for some of their other programs, he says, “We feel like these kids deserve the dignity of a new pair of shoes.”
There are big plans for back-to-school. “Our goal is to give new shoes to 100,000 kids this upcoming school year,” says Rod.
In addition to its 4EveryKid program, Soles4Souls provides three other programs: 4Relief, 4ThePlanet and 4Opportunity.
615.391.5723
Soles4Souls.org
Embryo Adoption Agency Provides Precious Opportunities For Those Unable To Have Children
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
“Little souls find their way to you, whether they’re from your womb or someone else’s,” declares American musician, singer-songwriter and adoptive mother Sheryl Crow.
Medical specialists at The American Embryo Adoption Agency (AEAA) in Nashville help both embryo donors and recipients to fulfill their dreams via assisted-reproductive technology with the goal of giving embryos a chance at life and giving infertile couples a chance to become parents.
"We care about our patients and are as delighted as they are with every pregnancy," assures Jaime Vasquez, M.D., a global industry leader and owner of AEAA at 2410 Patterson St., Suite 401.
He says the clinic facilitates more than 150 embryo adoptions each year.
“Many people don’t know about embryo adoption, even some specialists in the field,” Dr. Vasquez says. “It’s one of the greatest demonstrations of love there is for both donor parents and adoptive parents.”
The most obvious difference between embryo adoption and a traditional adoption is the pregnancy experience, he explains. "For many adoptive mothers, it's important for them to be able to experience the joys and challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. It's also important for them to have control over the prenatal development of their children to ensure their children received the appropriate prenatal care and were not exposed to harmful substances during pregnancy."
Parents who adopt embryos are able to begin the bonding process with their child before they're born, notes Dr. Vasquez. "They're giving embryos that have been frozen an opportunity for life. The embryos belong to the adopting parents before they are placed in the womb and the donating parents have relinquished all parental rights. The child born to the adopting couple is their legal child."
In addition to Nashville patients, AEAA assists people from other states, as well as other countries, says Chris Smith, director of business development and
marketing for the clinic. "With the aid of cryopreservation, we've helped families from as far away as New Zealand and Turkey, for example," he adds.
Working with Dr. Vasquez is Jessica Baker, MPAS, PA-C, as a certified physician assistant, and Shannon Maloney, WHNP, as the women’s health nurse practitioner, as well as other professionals highly trained to care for patients struggling with infertility.
Dr. Vasquez previously held faculty positions at Vanderbilt, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. He's been invited to lecture at scientific and medical meetings throughout the world, and has played a key investigative role in numerous research projects in his field.
He also has been published in multiple peer review journals, both nationally and internationally, and has co-authored multiple textbooks.
Dr. Vasquez earned his medical degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Faculty of Medicine. After obtaining a World Health Organization research training grant, he was named a National Institute of Health postdoctoral fellow in reproductive endocrinology. He served a research fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the Medical College of Georgia and did a subsequent OB/GYN residency at the University of Maryland. His fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility was at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at Wayne State University.
Before entering private practice in 1995 by opening the state-of-the-art Center for Reproductive Health, Dr. Vasquez served as director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility for Vanderbilt University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In that position he revitalized the University’s Center for Fertility and Reproductive Research (C-FARR) helping to re-establish its position as a national leader in fertility research and services.
"We strive to offer every individual the opportunity to create a family through embryo adoption and embryo donation," says Jaime Vasquez, M.D., owner of The American Embryo Adoption Agency and medical director of the Center for Reproductive Health headquartered in Nashville.
In 2017, he launched The American Embryo Adoption Agency as an affiliate program offered by the Center for Reproductive Health that had been assisting women with in vitro fertilization processes, often as a last hope for conceiving babies.
Dr. Vasquez is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and sub-specialty board certified by its Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. For those who've gone through IVF with extra embryos and wish they could help other families unable to have children, Chris says many don't realize that frozen, unused
DR. JAIME VASQUEZ, M.D.
embryos can be anonymously donated. "We work with other clinics and embryologists after parents are done growing their families and don't wish to discard their remaining frozen embryos. Those lives are precious to us and deserve a chance at life."
He adds that aiding people who need this type of expert medical help is altruistically uplifting while benefiting all involved.
615.321.8866
EmbryoAdoptionUSA.com
CRHNashville.com
Dr. Vasquez is board-certified and well-known around the globe in the field of reproductive health. He says his passion is for helping his clients have, or expand, their families. It's about giving invaluable chances to those who previously are unable to have children. For multiple years, he's been named a Top Doctor in Nashville.
“Many people don’t know about embryo adoption, even some specialists in the field,” Dr. Vasquez says. “It’s one of the greatest demonstrations of love there is for both donor parents and adoptive parents.”
Neatly Balanced specializes in comprehensive home organization, prioritizing the removal of unnecessary or unwanted items from clients’ spaces. We collaborate with a diverse range of a dozen Nashville-based organizations to ensure these items are donated effectively. Moreover, we offer taxdeductible donation receipts to our clients for their contributed items.
For over 25 years, Thistle Farms has lit a pathway of healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking and prostitution. Your support helps survivors find their way home.
thistlefarms.org
Holistically helping lost, abandoned, abused or neglected dogs with emotional, social and physical elements is the goal of Agape Animal Rescue &Training Center staff serving Nashville and middle Tennessee.
From the group's location at 121 Cleveland St., their daily mission is to assist with smooth transitions of rescued dogs into forever homes. They endeavor to teach dogs basic obedience skills, including proper leash manners and friendly house manners.
"We also strive to match our dogs with the best family possible, working through as many applications as necessary to find a home that offers the dog the most fulfilling, enriched life," says Tanya Willis, Agape Animal Rescue executive director and dog rescuer since 2001.
She launched the Agape rescue group in 2004.
"Despite the misfortunes these animals have endured, our commitment to them remains steadfastly clear: to provide loving, emotionally stable, nurturing foster care for them while they wait for their forever homes, for their forever families," says Tanya.
This pet advocate says she can't remember a time in her life of not loving animals. "I grew up in a family where we got our pets from shelters or we picked them up off the side of the road. I knew that one day when I got my own place, I'd have my own pet. What I didn't know is that my forever dog would find me," she recalls.
Tanya is referencing "Mack," a beloved, inspiring Golden Retriever. In 2001, when just a 15-pound puppy, he jumped in front of Tanya's car on a country road. She says she took him home and made a veterinary appointment. On the way down the same road, she then found five more puppies, presumably Mack's littermates. So, she scooped them up and took them all for a veterinary appointment, too.
"My experience with trying to find homes for those five puppies sparked something in me. And I knew that I'd found my calling in life," Tanya states, noting that Mack at the time wasn't going anywhere else but with her.
The dogs taken in by the Agape group come from all sorts of situations, including owner surrenders, abuse cases, hoarding issues and large-scale puppy mill rescues. Tanya says they always need foster parents for those types of urgent situations, so they can save as many as possible at one time.
Agape supplies medical needs and supplies for the dogs in their foster program, in addition to training tips.
"We just need more people to show these dogs what a stable environment is, and to show them what a true loving life is like," Tanya adds.
Pet parents of Agape-related dogs indicate one of the best benefits of adopting from this rescue is that they know the personalities of any dog in which they're interested because the dogs have been monitored, understood and nurtured in foster homes.
Some Agape-associated dogs also go on to become certified therapy dogs who help children as they push through different obstacles in their lives.
Tanya says they feel blessed that Agape has come so far since the beginning. "Mack, as the runt I found discarded and broken in the ditch, eventually grew into a healthy, vibrant 102-pound organizational mascot. Mack passed away from liver cancer in 2016 but his legacy thrives on through the lives being saved at Agape Animal Rescue."
In fact, anyone who wishes to support Mack's legacy can join "The Mack Pack," for a monthly membership financial gift of $15. Members receive a personalized digital membership card for their pup(s); exclusive events and offerings for Mack Pack members; and a specialty Mack Pack member tote.
"Through no fault of their own, our (Agape Animal Rescue) dogs found themselves in homeless situations. We're dedicated to making a positive difference in these dogs’ lives from the moment they enter our foster program."
AGAPE HAS AN ONGOING NEED FOR PET SUPPLIES, AND CAN ARRANGE FOR THEIR PICKUP FROM DONORS:
• Puppy formula
• Pee pads
• Towels and washcloths
• Laundry detergent
• Wire pet crates of any size
• Baby gates
• Pet leashes
• Pet collars
• Food and water bowls
• Dry and wet dog food (must be unopened)
• Durable dog toys
• Pet beds
• Compressed rawhide bones
• Heartgard/Interceptor heartworm medication
• Frontline/Advantage flea and tick medication for dogs
• Gift cards to local grocery stores for pet supplies
There are several gratifying ways to get involved with valuable results being accomplished by Nashvillebased Agape Animal Rescue. Volunteer time at special events, such as adoption days, fundraisers, festivals and as ambassadors of the group. Additionally, some behindthe-scenes support can be done from one's home, such as supporting social media, office administrative tasks or graphic design. Foster intake dogs on a temporary basis to be around and love on more dogs than one's own. Adopting a dog means immediate room for rescuing another dog in need. Donate as a corporate sponsor, memorial gifts, wish lists, planned giving, United Way designations.
• Gift cards to local gas stations for animal transport
• Any other type of pet supply that would benefit rescue dogs, foster parents or forever parents who are in need of assistance.
Amazon shoppers also can seek out the Agape Animal Rescue Wish List online to send additional medical products, dog food, personal pet care items, pet toys, paper towels, gift cards and cleaning supplies to the group.
Playing roles in dogs' lives who need that human spark of love is vitally important. Agape supporters verify they can see and feel the unconditional love that the dogs give right back to them.
Mike Panesi, Agape former volunteer coordinator, summarizes their work in a wonderful way: "We're in the business of creating love stories every day!"
615.406.7799
AgapeRescue.org
Chef Alyssa Gangeri has been baking since she was a little girl in her grandmother's kitchen, all designed to feed her self-proclaimed, large Italian family. Because she says she wanted every child to be able to have a best-ever baking experience, she authored a series of children's storybook cookbooks to teach kids how to measure, mix and bake their way through the kitchen, while also giving safety tips.
"As a child, I loved baking and everything that came with it. As an adult and food lover, I realized there was something missing when I went to bookstores: an interactive children's cookbook," recalls Alyssa, saying she vowed to create especially engaging, fun-filled cookbooks for those just learning her beloved craft.
Since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Alyssa worked for elite companies such as the Ritz Carlton, Tom Colicchio, Norman Van Aken and Gray Kunz. In 2018, she joined forces with management group Urban Grub, who moved her to Nashville to open and operate The Butter Milk Ranch as a partner and to oversee all pastry development for their namesake sister restaurant, Urban Grub in 12South.
Through Alyssa's journey of baking, she developed the Mimi character, her very own miniature version of herself, for Mimi came from a nickname her family gave her as a toddler. "Children these days have just as much interest in the kitchen as their parents do, but the ordinary cookbook just doesn't cut it," she adds.
In 2015, she created Mimi's Adventures in Baking to give children and adults a way to get into the kitchen and allow the child to become the chef and the adult the assistant. Each book has one recipe and an interactive storyline the child can read, and at the end, go into the kitchen and do what Mimi did. And for "non-baking" parents, she vows these elite
pastry chef recipes are tested and ready for even the most inexperienced bakers.
"My main focus was to bring back those child crucial moments where you got to have one-on-one time with someone important to you, and family recipes got passed down," she adds.
LOOK FOR ALYSSA'S BOOKS TITLED:
1. Mimi's Adventures in Baking New York Style Pizza
2. Mimi's Adventures in Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Mimi's Adventures In Baking Gingerbread Men
4. Mimi's Adventures in Baking Allergy Friendly Treats
Alyssa's children's cookbooks are sold online through outlets such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Walmart. These children's cookbooks also can be secured locally at Parnassus Books Nashville, 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14.
MimisAdventuresInBaking.com
Definition of Pet: a domestic animal kept for companionship or pleasure. We’ve all heard people who say that pets are “just” animals. Most pet owners know how wonderful owning an animal can be; they understand the companionship and how beautiful bonds can be formed between animal and human.
The benefits to owning a pet are endless. Unconditional love, emotional support and beneficial to your health to name a few. Here are some of the sweet pets we found around Nashville. We hope you enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoyed receiving pictures of them.
Winston Bear
Cooper
Jack & Duke
Sissy
Penelope
Barney
Meagan & Bonnie Benson
Erica Glover and her pets
