Monroe Harding, INC.

Office Space Available

Monroe Harding has office space available on its main campus in Southwest Nashville.  The property is located on Glendale Lane off of Granny White Pike, near Harding Place. The total square footage is approximately 2264 and includes 6 offices, a conference room, kitchen and bathroom.  Access to additional conference rooms and dining hall is also available. All utilities are included (except phone). The space is available immediately. A nonprofit organization is desired.  This space was previously rented by First Steps and Prevent Child Abuse.  Please call Evelyn Tidman at 298-5573 or email evelyntidman@monroeharding.org if interested.

Youth Connections Social Entrepreneurship

Youth Connections is partnering with Bongo in hopes of creating a self-sustainable income and creating job skills experiences for youth. Every four months, a new intern will be hired from the former foster youth in the financial management program to take on the coffee project. The youth will assist in marketing, graphic design, and sale of the coffee we are selling. Part of the proceeds of every bag sold goes directly to Youth Connections. We are currently offering whole bean and ground coffee. At this point in the program, you will need to pick up your order at Youth Connections (1330 Foster Ave, 37210). Orders completed by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays will be ready for pick up on that Friday. Those placed between Tuesday night and the following Tuesday will be available the following Friday. Special requests will be considered.

WHOLE BEAN	GROUND
WHOLE BEAN DECAF	GROUND DECAF

To find out more about Youth Connections visit www.tnyouthconnections.net.

Jimmy Wayne’s Twitter Fans

The group has been gathering items over the past few weeks to donate to the youth at Monroe Harding.  A dozen representatives stopped by today before Jimmy’s show in Nashville to bring nearly $1,000 worth of wish list items, gift cards and cash donations!!! Thanks so much!

Exhibiting Our Heritage

In recognition of Black History Month, Monroe Harding will host an art exhibit and interactive cultural event celebrating diversity and expression.  Exhibiting Our Heritage brings together Monroe Harding youth and community artists in celebration of individual cultures. 

Renowned artist Greg Decker will serve as the featured artist. Greg Decker is a professional painter who specializes in figurative oil paintings.   

Along with Decker’s exhibit, guests will have the opportunity to experience art through displays by Monroe Harding youth and other former foster children.  There will also be Spoken Word performances, pieces by community artists including Molly Brooks, Marleen De Wael, and exhibits from students at Maplewood High School and the Nashville School of Arts, as well as hands-on activities for children, teens and adults.

Exhibiting Our Heritage
Thursday, February 25, 2010
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Youth Connections
1330 Foster Ave. Ste. 200
Nashville, TN 37211

The event is $10 per person.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.monroeharding.org (events tab).  Funds raised from Exhibiting Our Heritage will provide services for youth who have recently aged out of the foster care system.

Do you want to let someone know they are special to you?

SEND YOUR LOVED ONES A VALENTINE
A gift from you can help warm the heart of a youth this Valentine’s Day.
By sending an honor or memorial donation to Monroe Harding by February 8, your Valentine will receive a card in time for the holiday. A great alternative gift idea as a memorial for a loved one or in honor of: Your secret Valentine, co-workers, teachers, grandparents, nieces & nephews neighbors, dieting friends (a great option to chocolate!) or anyone else you’re sending a card to! remember: 100% of your gift is tax deductible.

Donations can be mailed to Monroe Harding 1120 Glendale Lane Nashville, TN 37204. Please be sure to include the name of the person you are honoring and the address where you’d like the card sent.

Jimmy Wayne Updates

The Meet Me Half Way website is up and running.  You can follow Jimmy’s every move through this site.  Visit it at http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com.

Meet me 1/2 Way

The youth at Monroe Harding, Representative Jim Cooper and over 75 friends, family and fans started the New Year with a grand send-off for country singer Jimmy Wayne. Jimmy began his walk 1/2 way across America – starting at Monroe Harding and heading to Phoenix, AZ.
He hopes his efforts will raise awareness for at-risk youth who are in the foster care system but who may become homeless along their journey.
Follow his walk at jimmywayne.com.
And visit this site and the Monroe Harding facebook page to see pictures as the become available.

Country music star Jimmy Wayne begins his walk 1/2 way across America at Monroe Harding on New Year’s Day.

Please join us Friday morning at 10 a.m. to give Jimmy Wayne a huge send-off as he begins his “Meet Me Half Way” walk to raise awareness for foster children who are at-risk for homelessness.

Everyone is welcome to join Jimmy for the ceremonial first mile of his walk.

We will begin at the front door of Monroe Harding, head down the driveway to Glendale Lane heading toward Granny White. We’ll cross over Granny White and finally turn left onto Belmont Park Terrace to Harding Place. Jimmy will take it from there as he goes on by himself toward Hwy 70. Many people have expressed interest in walking further but for safety’s sake we are asking everyone to keep it to the first mile. And the city would like for us to remain on the shoulder and in a single file line as much as possible.

See you on the 1st! Happy New Year!

JIMMY WAYNE “WALKS HALFWAY ACROSS AMERICA” BEGINNING JAN 1

Country music recording artist Jimmy Wayne will launch his “Meet Me Halfway” campaign on January 1, 2010 when he begins his solo walk halfway across America in Nashville, TN. Wayne’s intention is not only to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, especially at risk children, teens and young adults, but also raise funds for organizations that benefit homeless youth. Wayne will begin the walk at 10:00 a.m. CT on January 1st at Monroe Harding in Nashville, TN. He plans to walk halfway across the country to a similar agency in Phoenix, AZ.

Wayne grew up in a variety of foster and group homes, and occasionally found himself homeless as a teen. He was given a second chance when Bea and Russell Costner gave him a home and fresh start when he was only 16 years old. He has never forgotten the generosity of the couple, who were in their 70’s when they took Wayne in.

“Because I was helped when I needed it, I want to try and help now,” Wayne said. “If the bit of celebrity I have can help me raise awareness of this situation –that there are kids and young people out there who need our help, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal. I’m not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved– donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community. There’s so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference. It just takes one person to help someone to a better life.”

For additional information on “Meet Me Halfway” and Wayne, please visit www.jimmywayne.com.

Senior Living combined with Foster Care?

Hope Meadows is a multigenerational care facility for children in foster care as well as retired adults. The unique residential community in Illinois requires the seniors to volunteer as honorary grandparents to receive reduced living costs for themselves. A unique system indeed – read more about it at this link: http://www.generationsofhope.org/hm_main.html