The Family Collective
If you are living in your car, on the street, in a place not meant for habitation or do not have a place to sleep tonight, please contact Metro Social Services at 615.862.6444 before reaching out to a listed partner.
If you live in Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford or Williamson counties, contact the team at tfcreferrals@unitedwaygn.org.
Preventing and Ending Family Homelessness
Every family deserves a place to call home. But the reality is: In a thriving city like Nashville, more than 3,000 students don’t—they live in cars, motels, shelters and on friends’ couches.
It doesn’t have to be this way. With your help, we can make homelessness a rare and brief experience for Middle Tennessee families.
When a family is experiencing homelessness, they are in crisis mode. Finding the programs and services they need to get into stable housing feels like a maze; there are multiple admission appointments, transportation issues, confusing requirements and hoops to jump through—all on a ticking clock.
Rather than requiring families in crisis to hunt, navigate and self-advocate for the services they need, our framework brings agencies together to build a personalized system of support around each family.
In 2014, with seed funding from the Siemer Institute, United Way of Greater Nashville launched The Family Collective—originally the Family Empowerment Program—to address homelessness, connect families to sustainable opportunities and disrupt cycles of poverty. In 2020, a grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services allowed us to expand our efforts to include five counties and more than 30 collaborating partner organizations.
Our goal is to get families from crisis to stability to thriving. To do that, we seek, support and strengthen programs that not only address families’ immediate needs but also foster long-term self-sufficiency. From employment readiness to education and financial literacy, our multi-generational support helps families gain the skills and resources to become self-sufficient and stop the cycle of poverty for the next generation.
Partner Organizations
15th Ave. N. Learning Academy
Website: http://www.15thavenlearningacademy.com/
Provides childcare for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
Bethlehem Centers
Website: http://www.bethlehemcenters.org/
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a nonprofit social service agency that promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youth, and adults in Middle Tennessee by delivering and advocating quality programs and services.
Catholic Charities of Tennessee
Website: http://www.cctenn.org/
As a living example of Christ, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, is widely recognized and respected as a leading charitable organization delivering sustainable impact throughout Middle Tennessee.
Cheatham County School District
Community Helpers of Rutherford County
Conexion Americas
Website: https://www.conexionamericas.org/
Conexion Americas’ mission is to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute, and succeed.
The Community Resource Center of Robertson County
Dominion Financial Services
Elevate Consulting
Fannie Battle Day Home for Children
Website: https://fanniebattle.org/
Fannie Battle provides accessible and affordable high-quality childcare while empowering families to reach their fullest potential.
Financial Empowerment Center
Website: https://www.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/financial-empowerment-center
The Financial Empowerment Center offers no-cost one-on-one financial counseling to residents in the Greater Nashville region.
Gentry's Educational Foundation
Website: https://www.gentrysed.org/
The Gentry Foundation assists and prepares young people in our community for school, work and life.
GraceWorks Ministries
Website: https://www.graceworkstn.org/
Neighbor serving Neighbor, by the power of God’s grace.
Insight Counseling Center
Website: https://insightcounselingcenters.org/
Insight offers quality and compassionate mental health counseling services in person and via telehealth.
The Journey Home
Website: http://www.lovegodservepeople.org/
The Journey Home is a Christian Outreach Center serving the homeless and disadvantaged in our community.
Martha O'Bryan Center
Website: https://marthaobryan.org/
Martha O’Bryan Center empowers children, youth, and adults in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment, and fellowship.
McGruder Family Resource Center
McNeilly Center for Children
Organized Neighbors of Edgehill (ONE)
Preston Taylor Ministries
Website: https://prestontaylorministries.org/
Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM) believes that for underserved youth to overcome obstacles, they need to be connected to a caring adult, a positive peer group, a purpose, and educational opportunity. Our mission is to empower children and youth in North Nashville to discover and live their God-inspired dreams, develop a love for learning, and build joy-filled friendships that glorify Christ Jesus.
Robertson County Family Resource Center/Connecting Robertson Co.
Website: https://www.rcstn.net/parents-students/family-resources
Connecting Robertson County’s goal is to provide wraparound services, support, and hope for families at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Robertson County.
Rutherford County Schools
Website: https://www.rcschools.net/
Rutherford County Schools provides necessary resources, supports, and referrals to help homeless children and youth to be successful in school and have a positive school experience.
Safe Haven Family Shelter
Saint Mary Villa Child Development Center
Website: https://www.stmaryvilla.org/
Saint Mary Villa is a licensed childcare center in North Nashville providing full-time and after-school care.
St. Luke’s Community House
Website: http://www.stlch.org/
St. Luke’s Community House empowers children, families, and seniors to live fulfilling lives by providing access to food, childcare, case management, and wraparound services.
Tennessee Resilience Project
Website: https://trptn.org/
Tennessee Resilience Project is a grace given and grace driven non-profit offering asset and education building opportunities for economically challenged families. Through asset and education opportunities the TRP hopes to help elevate our families’ circumstances. Long-term success is our aim and access to a solid social knowledge base is our starting point.
Tennessee Reconnect - Nashville Chamber
Website: https://www.nashvillechamber.com/workforce-and-education/
Whether you’re an adult returning to school to finish your degree, or starting for the first time, we’re here to help.
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties
Website: https://www.yourlocaluw.org/
Our focus is on education, health, and financial stability—the building blocks for a good quality of life.
Workforce Essentials
Website: https://workforceessentials.com/
Workforce Essentials offers a wide variety of resources to help businesses and individuals meet their goals in the workplace.
In Partnership With
we’re seeing results
1,271
Families served in 2023
1,500
Families have been housed since program inception
1,292
Families were prevented from experiencing homelessness since 2014
