North Nashville charging‑station project highlighted as example of grant‑backed community resilience work

Emily Norris, senior director for child welfare and community‑based services at Family & Children Service, presented a multi‑year innovation project funded through Building Strong Brains (the DCS innovation grants). She said the project aims to create a neighborhood 'charging station' in North Nashville — a community hub where residents can access resources, resilience programming and trauma processing supports.

Norris described the project’s timeline: needs assessments and community conversations before moving into the renovated facility; task force formation and partner engagement (faith leaders, schools, businesses, public agencies); training and VSP trainer development; and responsive work during crises, including tornado response and COVID‑era virtual programming. The project supported school partnerships, mentoring, community gardens, art therapy, a mural project and a 'charging room' for local health‑care employees.

The presenter said the broader DCS innovation portfolio included 26 grants totaling more than $1.9 million and that FY23 renewals had been issued with an FY24 funding announcement planned. She invited attendees to visit the facility and sign up for upcoming events (back‑to‑school activities with vaccines and backpacks) and stressed the project's goal of building local resilience, processing trauma and expanding community ties.

Emily credited local partners (My Canvas; Cheatham Place/Local Bistro; school partners) and highlighted the project’s ability to pivot to disaster and pandemic response while maintaining community engagement.