PCN Winter 2022 Newsletter: A Season of Celebration

Dear PCN Community,

It is with great joy and excitement that I greet you during this most wonderful time of the year. No matter how old we are, we can still enter this season mesmerized by the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. God gave the precious gift of his Son and that inspires all that we do at PCN. Love. Share. Give.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells us “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The PCN community carries this directive passionately throughout the year by delivering Christ-affirming care and support to those most in need. That has always been the mission of PCN, and it has never been truer than at present time. Recently, we have witnessed the largest graduating Work Life class in our history, established new partnerships to connect with potential clients, and celebrated the most committed army of volunteer supporters I have ever seen.

As we enter the final weeks of 2022, our thoughts reflect on our journey and focus intensely on our future. All that PCN accomplishes is done through serving, teaching, giving, and praying. You are the engine that drives this ministry. In this final month of the year, take a moment to pray for our clients, our staff, and those serving alongside them.

And finally, please consider an additional gift. Our year-end campaign provides the resources for the upcoming year and determines how many people we can reach through this ministry. A new year means a new beginning. The opportunity to affect change is in front of each of us.

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Stuart Spears Executive Director

“Project Connect brings so much joy and purpose to my life.”

Diana was introduced to PCN through Thistle Farms’s residential program. She was a part of our recent online Work Life class and as she completes programming at Thistle Farms, she is continuing to grow her education and community through PCN. We asked her a few questions about the time she has spent with us so far and this is what she had to say…

Which classes have you taken so far?

I have completed Faith and Finance, Work Life and am currently about halfway through The Story of God.

What were your biggest takeaways from each class?

I have enjoyed all the classes I have been able to take so far. Faith and Finance showed me a connection between my financial and spiritual life that I had never seen before as well as helping me develop a budget, be more aware of my spending habits and the importance of a savings (emergency fund) account for my life. Work Life gave me many more tools than I had expected. It was very informative on the importance of work ethic, resumes, interviewing techniques, but more than that, it gave me a great deal of insight on personal relationships. The Story of God gives me new information weekly on God and the Bible and I feel is helping me strengthen my spiritual relationship with God.

What milestones have you celebrated recently?

I graduated from Work Life, I celebrated 2 years clean October 11th and I complete the Thistle Farms Residential 2-year program on

DianaFriday, November 11th. I moved into my own apartment for the first time in 20 years in August, and right after my Work Life graduation, I received a promotion at my job to Inventory Control Manager.

How does it make you feel to list those?

When I look at the accomplishments that I have been blessed to make, it makes me feel that anything is possible. Before, I had moments when I believed that I wouldn’t ever make anything out of my life. I just thought it was too late, but by the grace of God, Thistle Farms and Project Connect I can see that it is NEVER too late to start over and make dreams become reality.

What do you love about PCN?

I love PCN for several reasons but one of the biggest is that it gives me a sense of community that my life needs daily. The feeling of care and compassion that I receive from Caleb, my Connection Manager, is so special. He checks on me about what’s going on in my life. The awesome thing is his communication to me is totally from his heart and it gives me a feeling of family and community that my life lacks. The other staff and allies are also so caring and present that on our 5 weeks off from our Sunday classes, I miss it and look forward to getting it going again.

Overall, Project Connect brings so much joy and purpose to my life. I have met people, developed lifelong relationships, and learned things that benefit every area of my life.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

— Psalm 147:3

haring our stories is an important part of finding who we truly are as a child of God, made in His image. At PCN, we use art as a way for students to peel back layers of their story in a safe and sacred space through artistic expression, which might include music, writing, skits, and visual art.

In Work Life and Trauma Healing, students are given the freedom to express themselves in ways that are healing and affirming to their identity in Christ, creating a new vision of hope and restoration.

Faye Maynard and Randy Wilcox are amazing volunteers who use their artistic gifts with our students in Work Life. Below they reflect on the ways art works in the healing of our students and how facilitating the class at PCN has changed their lives!

When and why did you become involved with PCN?

Faye: A friend introduced me to her son who was on staff at PCN. It was 8 years ago when the organization was just starting to work in the Madison community. Her son was leading a photography class and asked me to be an ally for his students. I was amazed at the impact PCN was making in the community and have been involved ever since. It was a big step for me when I was asked to lead a group in art because I was not an art major, I was a biology major! That makes it easy for me to work with students who think they can’t be an artist because I know how they feel.

Randy: Sometime back in late 2017, my wife and I were attending a home church where we met Zach and Marna Jane Bevill. Zach invited our home group to attend one of their Ally Equipping sessions. I have always had a heart to help and serve others, so I have helped with marketing, fundraisers, and design for PCN. In the last year, I started teaching the art segment of the Work Life classes at the Madison campus.

What has been the most meaningful aspect of your work with the clients at PCN?

Faye: I always start out my classes with the question, “Why do we create?” I believe that because we are created in the image of God and He is a creator, then we are creators. Fostering creativity of any kind allows the students to express thoughts and feelings in a constructive and positive way. Some have not learned how to do that because of their life circumstances. Any creativity has totally gotten thrown to the wayside because of the constant pressure to meet basic physical needs.

Also, in the workplace you sometimes need to think outside the box and learn how to solve problems in creative ways. That’s important for our students in Work Life. And the program continually evolves with the needs of the class. If they end up writing or drawing instead of using the medium, I have given them to use, that’s okay.

Randy: The most meaningful aspect for me is to watch the students unlock and open up in the Art Heals class. When Zach asked me to step into a teaching role, I was super nervous. Anything new, especially being up in front of people and leading a class, has a certain amount of anxiety for most people and I am no different. I wasn’t sure what I was going to teach as most of my career has been in visual arts and graphic design.

A piece I painted in 2019 titled “Forgiveness” became the inspiration and foundation for what I use as a creativity tool in facilitating each class. Watching students go through the transformation process each week of digging up their past, talking about addiction or anxieties, and finding a sense of peace and forgiveness from their story brings a huge smile to my face. To be able to use art as a way of healing creates in me a deep sense of joy.

What have you learned about yourself through volunteering with PCN?

Faye: It has given me a heart for those in poverty. But by the grace of God, I could be in their shoes. I am no better than any of these folks and it has made me grateful for the protection that I have had in my life. It certainly gets me out of my comfort zone, which I need. I need to step into places where people are not just like me! It is also an opportunity to be around nonbelievers and to show the love of Christ to them.

These folks are in hugely different circumstances, but we have many more things in common than I realized. The beauty that is in them is phenomenal and gorgeous. Trying to help them see that and seeing them feel proud of themselves is beautiful.

Randy: First, the enemy wants us/ me to believe the lies and whispers we have been told about ourselves over the years. I have found freedom from my own story through working with the students at PCN. I have also found that teaching is less about instructing and more about listening, being present and walking beside each student as they navigate their healing journey. Another thing that has come to light for me is that, regardless of what my internal messaging is, there is the true message of yes, I can do this! For most of my life, I was the quiet, shy one who didn’t know how I was supposed to fit in. PCN has given me a place to use my gifts. Lastly, I know that when we forgive ourselves and others and allow God to work in our lives and heal our traumas and heart wounds, we make better choices, and our world becomes a brighter place.

Thank you to volunteer photographers Meredith Benton and Jessica McIntosh!

Growing a Network of Change

“Indeed, the body is not one part but many.” — 1 Corinthians 12:14

“Nashville is home to many organized efforts that serve our community, and that is beautiful because community healing takes the effort of many. Working together makes all of us better.”

Matt Worley Program Director

To better serve program participants and the community, Project Connect Nashville strategically partners with several area organizations. Operation Saving Life and Welcome Home Ministries are two of those partners.

Operation Saving Life (OSL)

is one of our newer partners. They share the good news of Jesus Christ to abortionminded mothers through work that helps meet their spiritual, physical, and practical needs. Their approach with new mothers is similar to our Connection Management process. PCN partners with OSL to serve the whole family, addressing challenges that come with material poverty.

Currently, PCN is coordinating care and support for a woman who recently had a child. PCN’s support work includes helping her find stable housing, childcare, and substantial employment while she finishes her higher education. For this woman, having another community where she finds love, support, encouragement, and accountability is reinforcing the positive momentum in her life.

Since PCN’s early years, we have partnered with Welcome Home Ministries, an intensive faith-based ministry of compassionate care for men who suffer from chronic substance abuse. Many of their clients have both chemical dependencies and mental health conditions. Their program includes a 24/7 sober-living transitional housing environment, structured living, and responsible behavior directives.

Welcome Home Ministries is a partner solution for PCN in situations where one of our program participants is struggling in their recovery journey and needs a structured living environment, especially in the early days of sobriety. They have a tremendous amount of expertise finding available resources for those who suffer from substance abuse. PCN also offers Welcome Home clients a great next step out of their residential program by providing another source of community needed for growth and stability.

“The programs, services, training, and community that PCN provides are a valuable resource for our participants, who are rebuilding their lives. PCN’s willingness to meet people where they are, regardless of their past, has been refreshing and inspires hope for our men who often are marginalized by society. We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come as we serve together in Jesus’ name.”

— Daryl Murray, Founder/Executive Director of Welcome Home Ministries

The Changing of Seasons

We’re saying farewell to...

Casundra Porter

For 8 years, the PCN community has had the privilege of witnessing Casundra Porter at work. Her heart is huge and her passion for walking with others on their journey out of poverty, addiction, and so many other difficult life circumstances is apparent in the number of lives she has touched.

Recently, Casundra began a new position at Mending Hearts, and while we are sad that she won’t be welcoming individuals into our Madison site lobby and blessing us with her joyful smiles and singing, we are excited for her in this new chapter of her life! She has impacted many lives here at PCN and we know she will continue that legacy with this new opportunity.

We’re welcoming...

Benji Majors

Benji Majors began his PCN career in August as our part-time Volunteer Coordinator, but after we got to know him and he began catching the PCN vision, it soon became clear that he would be Woodbine’s New Site Manager. He says, “I am honored to be given the opportunity to walk alongside our clients in the Woodbine community as they set goals and take strides toward great futures.”

Benji is joining us after a decade overseas serving non-profits and churches in East Africa. Most recently, he served as a Teaching Pastor at his home church alongside a group of other pastors who were committed to discipleship and engaging poverty with relational intentionality. And we are excited to have him on the team!

Hannah Keen

Hannah was most often seen with a list in her hand and a smile on her face, coordinating all the volunteer activities for PCN. Her infectious joy drew many to PCN, and her unwavering commitment to use the gifts each volunteer brought was a gift to all.

Hannah recently began a new chapter in her career at Interfaith Dental. We will miss her greatly but are excited for her to have this opportunity and know that she will bless the lives of many volunteers there, just as she has at PCN.

“I look forward to seeing all that God has in store for PCN. This ministry and community will always be close to my heart, and I plan to come back to volunteer and visit when I can!” — Hannah Keen

Maggie Killingsworth

Claiming to have never met a stranger, we know Maggie will shine as our Volunteer Coordinator! She was born and raised in Madison, growing up close to our offices on Woodruff Street. Maggie has always had a heart for the people of Nashville and was drawn to PCN, first as a volunteer and then as an intern from Long Hollow Church.

She says, “Working at Project Connect, I feel like I am giving back to the community that played a big part in my upbringing. I feel blessed that I get an opportunity to pour out the love of God on the people of Nashville.”

Project Connect Nashville PO Box 295 Madison, TN 37116

SHARE LOVE, GIVE TODAY!

Open to read stories filled with HOPE and JOY!

When I moved to Nashville just over 8 years ago, I was introduced to a small, brand-new Project Connect Nashville. PCN’s plans were big and the love for people who were hurting overflowed from our location in Madison. For those very reasons, God called me to become involved as an ally and volunteer and then to join the staff in 2019. Like many of you, I have experienced PCN through the joy and challenges of growth, change, and the messiness of real relationships in this broken world. We’ve all learned and grown along the way, right along with our friends who are battling the complexities of poverty.

Change can be painful, but out of change usually comes growth and new beginnings. When I look at our photo wall of Work Life graduates, when I hear from someone like Diana (whose story you will find inside), or when one of my co-workers excitedly shares a story about how God is using PCN to work in someone’s life, I am

reminded of how His love continues to flow through this ministry. I am excited for the future of PCN and for the work that impacts our neighbors seeking community, hope, love, and lasting change!

Our efforts to grow our partnership network and increase our outreach have left us with a waiting list for long-term programming at our Madison site. As this year ends, please consider a financial gift to PCN. With your help, we can welcome more people into our programming in 2023 and continue the legacy of PCN as a safe, loving place where each person who enters our doors is welcomed and offered a place where hope and love abound!

Gratefully, Angel Pyrz Marketing & Communications Manager

But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. —1 Corinthians 13:3