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Greetings!
We hope this finds you and your family well and unaffected by the recent flooding. We were blessed to have minimal damage to the homes of our 180 Program families and volunteers.
We are sad to report that 4th Avenue Church sustained some damage to the downstairs, which has resulted in the need to cancel the July 180 Program meeting. Repairs are going well, and we will meet in August as scheduled.
As always, we thank you for your continued support of Against the Grain.
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Pictures from the June 3 AtG Community Picnic
|  Thank you to everyone who joined us for the AtG Community Picnic held in Strahl Park on June 3. The kids had a great time playing baseball, racing down the slides, and seeing who could last the longest on the tornado merry-go-round! Thanks to Rob, Dan Hickling's LifeGroup, Pat Gross, and all the other volunteers who provided such wonderful food. We would also like to thank Bob Sellers from Channel 4 WSMV for taking the time to join us and air the segment during the 6pm newscast on June 4. (You will find the link below in case you missed it).     |
Thank you, Channel 4 WSMV for featuring Against the Grain!
|  As part of the Making a Difference in Middle Tennessee series, Bob Sellers attended the AtG Community Picnic to interview Meredith and members of the 180 Program. The feature was aired during the 6pm newscast on June 4.
In case you missed it, or if you would like to share it with friends and family, the link below will take you to the WSMV website for the story text and video.
WSMV Against the Grain story
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Exciting AtG Development News
| What? AtG is seeking acquisition of a transitional communal training home for women and children actively battling poverty and seeking total life change.
Why now? This long-term goal has been moved to the forefront of our mission as we have seen increasing numbers of moms and children in the 180 Program facing homelessness and/or abusive living situations.
Who? 180 Program families who qualify will live on-site for 1-2 years as they complete the 180 Program curriculum. They will be required to meet education and employment goals while continuing to meet weekly with their personal mentor. The families living in the training house will also be required to participate in community service, with the final goal being home ownership and business leadership.
How can I help? We will need volunteer involvement during all stages of opening the AtG Training Home. During this initial stage, you can help in the following ways:
- Prayer support: please ask God to open the doors for property to be donated or for us to either lease/purchase or purchase the property He desires us to have. Ask for protection and encouragement to surround the families already in crisis.
- Financial support: obviously this will not happen without extra financial support. We are seeking grants, in-kind donations and all levels of sponsorship that will go directly toward opening the AtG Training Home.
- Steering Committee Nominations: We are forming a steering team of people committed to making this home a reality. If you would like to be considered for this position, or would like to refer us to someone, please email carmen@atghope.org for more details.
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Hope Changes Everything!
|  Summer is here in Tennessee! What would you rather do: sit back
and helplessly watch your grass wither in the heat, or play a part in
helping some little flowers bloom?
Image Builders is the mentoring program for children of the mothers enrolled in the 180 Program. We currently have 7 children in need of an adult mentor.
You don't need any special skills or training to encourage and empower a child, you only need to be the face of hope that says: "I believe in you," "You can be anything you choose to be," "Don't quit- you have what it takes to do something great!"
Generations are changed when children have hope. Will you be the face that changes everything for a child?
Please email carmen@atghope.org for more information. |
Against the Grain delivered donations from the McKay's Mill Publix to aid flood victims in Middle Tennessee
| Against
the Grain was recently contacted to coordinate the distribution of the donations given to flood victims in Middle TN by the customers of the McKay's Mill Publix.
We were honored to deliver over $800 worth of goods to Samaritan's Purse, operating from Bethel World Outreach. In the last five weeks, Bethel and Samaritan's Purse have sent out over 700 volunteers to over 100 homes.
We are blessed to live in such a generous community. Thank you to everyone who supported this effort to help our neighbors in need!
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Volunteer Opportunities
| Against
the Grain relies upon volunteers for nearly every aspect of our
organization, and adding new families to the 180 Program means we also need
to add new volunteers.
Recent growth has given us opportunities to expand specific volunteer teams and invite more team leaders. Prior experience is not required; we will train you and place you with volunteer leaders who will work beside you. We have some of the most dedicated and passionate volunteers around, and they look forward to connecting with you and working together to change the future.
Check out our website www.atghope.org to download the Volunteer Manual and see the many opportunities available. We need your help to continue impacting families caught in negative generational cycles.
Currently, our most urgent needs are in the following positions:
- Study Buddy Coordinator for 2010-2011
- Study Buddies
- Special Events/Public Relations Coordinator
- Special Events/fund-raising team
- Mentors for single mothers
- Mentors for children of single mothers
- Church/Community Liaison Coordinator
- Church/Community Liaisons
Please visit www.atghope.org or email carmen@atghope.org to learn how you can join the team making a difference in the lives of single mothers and their children EVERY DAY!
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Please mark your calendars!
|  DUE TO FLOODING AT 4TH AVENUE CHURCH, THERE WILL NOT BE A 180 PROGRAM MEETING IN JULY!!!!
Thursday, August 5- monthly 180 Program group meeting
Thursday, August 26- Volunteer Meeting for ALL AtG volunteers
Thursday, September 9- monthly 180 Program group meeting
Saturday, October 2-Spring Hill Applebee's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Saturday, October 9- Sock Hop Fundraiser
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Thank you so much for supporting Against the Grain!
Because of your support, in the last 5 years, the 180 Program alone has:
- Trained over 200 mothers in parenting, budgeting, and life skills
- Increased job retention to above national average
- Increased the average wage by over 25%
- increased employment of mothers in the 180 Program from 30% the day they start to
80% after 6 months of enrollment - Enrolled nearly 50% of the mothers in college or tech school
We appreciate your dedication to our mission of empowering single mothers!
Sincerely,
AtG Communications
Against the Grain Inc
www.atghope.org
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Our Sponsors
| Thank you to our corporate sponsors!
Please thank them for supporting Against the Grain the next time you use their services!
    
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