Community Care Fellowship's mission is to provide "radical hospitality and transformational change." CCF started as a local church ministry 40 years ago to address the basic needs of a growing unhoused population in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Today, CCF serves individuals and entire families with transitional housing, and even a child development center with access centers all across the city.
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When the doors open each day at Nashville’s Community Care Fellowship, guest can count on a warm welcome, “Good morning!,” a hot meal, and a place to take a shower, do laundry and connect with the longtime employees and volunteers who make this community feel like home.
Regina Warner, CCF Employee, Former Volunteer:
“I once had a guy, whenever I was serving in the hygiene room one day, he was like, please don't give up on us. And so many people give up on the homeless. So, when they. find a consistency somewhere, they just keep coming back to it because they feel loved.”
Quatrece McKinney, Nancy Webb Kelly UMC, 23 Year Volunteer with CCF:
“What's beautiful is, it's not just food that's being fed. I see volunteers praying with people, you know encouraging people. You see them build relationships with them. Even if they just come once a month, they become family.”
Jay Dawson, Dalewood UMC, 10 Year Volunteer with CCF:
“So, I'll talk to them and ask them, you know, to tell me about their situation. Maybe they've got a kid or two with them, maybe their car is broke down, maybe... whatever, any number of things. I think they need hope, a feeling of hope, and they need a feeling of... that God is looking out for them. Goodness, some of the struggles that people have, you know, they need all the prayer that we can pray for them.”
CCF started 40 years ago, as a ministry of McKendree United Methodist Church, serving the growing unhoused population in downtown Nashville.
Today, Community Care has grown to include a child development center. CCF also partners with United Methodist congregations all across the city. Turning church buildings, which would sit empty during the week, into transitional housing for individuals and families.
These ministries all depend on faithful donors, and people of faith.
Quatrece McKinney:
“I think that it's great to be a church, as just a United Methodist church, but I think, like, my favorite scripture is "Faith. faith without works is dead." And so I love the ability to be able to put faith in action.”
Margie Winston, Dare to Dream Child Development Center:
“They help us throughout the day, so the volunteers are very important, donors. Oh, let's not forget the donors. Donors are important. They may come down and ask us, "What did you need in the classroom? What child? What family needs something?"
Joaquin Garcia, Belmont UMC, 8 Year Volunteer with CCF:
“There is always an interesting thing that as a volunteer, you know. You are give of your time and yourself but at the same time you are receiving many blessings being in touch with the people.”
Tag: Community Care Fellowship relies on volunteers and donations. Some suggested ways to help the work of CCF include: become a regular volunteer, coordinate a collection of hygiene or classroom items from your group or Sunday School, or volunteer as a church to host a Sunday meal and time of fellowship at CCF. Visit the CCF website for more information.
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN. Contact is Joe Iovino.
This video was first posted on April 17, 2024.
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