PLN STORY + MISSION + VISION

HISTORY

People Loving Nashville was established in 2008 when a group of friends shared several hot meals with some homeless individuals on a cold Thanksgiving night. The experience changed something in them, and they continued to bring supper downtown once a month. Once a month soon turned into a weekly tradition. From a two-burner stove in a bachelor pad to a commercially-outfitted kitchen at church, we have continued to grow and expand, learning and maturing along the way, all against the backdrop of friendship.

Our skilled staff and trained volunteers seek to form relationships that bring a Christ-centered, evidence-based pathway to sustainable hope, healing, and restoration. We begin the process by assembling meals, preparing clothing and supplies for distribution to hundreds, and provide emergency response to serve the disenfranchised of our city in public spaces, low-income apartment complexes, homeless camps, and more, every weekday.

We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and dedication that Mr. Ellson and the CPA Media Studio Students gave in the creation of this documentary. We are so proud of them and are thrilled for you to enjoy watching the history of our organization. They created a incredible piece of art for us that beautifully tells our story.

MISSION

People Loving Nashville shares love and dignity with the unhoused & most vulnerable of Nashville by bringing relief, community, connection, and restoration.

HOW WE SERVE

Everything we do can be organized into four pillars: Relief, Community, Connection & Restoration.

RELIEF

We offer meals, clothing, survival supplies, transportation, and emergency housing to the unhoused and those most at-risk in Nashville.
People Loving Nashville is also on the front lines of emergency response, developing and implementing protocol for natural disasters, severe weather, pandemics, threats and other critical scenarios affecting those we serve.

COMMUNITY

We have intentionally cultivated a culture of love and dignity. Our volunteers and staff are equipped to build trust, provide a support network, offer accountability, and help our friends reimagine what life is outside of homelessness. We have learned over the years the importance and necessity of consistency, so we seek to provide that in strategic ways in highly vulnerable areas.
Community and consistency also translate to the culture we've built amongst our staff and volunteers, many of whom have been with us for years. From retreats to workshops, popular monthly dinners, and unique discipleship opportunities, we are purposeful in creating opportunities that help our volunteer base learn, grow and thrive together.

CONNECTION

We recognize the great chasm between those in need and those who can help, and we see the beautiful seeds of transformation planted when a genuine connection happens between these two worlds. There can be some very traumatic experiences that lead our friends into this season of life, so we treat everyone with dignity and honor, nurturing growth in body, mind and soul.To aid us in this work, strong relationships with our community partners are vital. We can achieve more and be more effective when we link arms with others, so we join forces with a variety of trusted partners providing skill and expertise built on their passions and experience. We currently have partnerships providing immediate needs like showers, haircuts, healthcare, casework, counseling, and even pet care at our outreaches. We also have a team of partners who help with employment navigation, mental health services, medical resources, crisis navigation, and housing navigation.

RESTORATION
We invest in people as they journey past trauma. One of the most common issues we see for those in poverty is broken relationships. Adopted by biblical precepts, restoration of these relationships is what brings healing. Without that healing, moving into a place of stability in employment, housing, and life is hard. Based on a foundation of love and dignity for each individual, we provide a place for restoration, education, job development, counseling, healing, and empowerment.