2009 Conference Attendees
Access, Adherence, and Advocacy--Keywords for June 18th Health Disparities Conference
Nearly 60 Nashville stakeholders joined forces yesterday at the Downtown Library to discuss the current state of healthcare for the poor and what can be done to improve it locally. The conference featured:
- a moving and inspiring keynote address by Erie Chapman, CEO of the Baptist Healing Trust and author of Radical Loving Care
- a panel discussion including:
- Mary Bufwack, CEO of United Neighborhood Health Services
- Ronda Switzer, Executive Director of Interfaith Dental Clinic
- Sean Muldoon, Director of Client Services at Nashville CARES
- Luvenia Butler, Director of the Tennessee Division of Minority Health and Health Disparities Elimination , Tennessee Department of Health
- discussion groups for substance abuse, chronic diseases/HIV/AIDS, mental and behavioral health, and primary health care
If you're interested in joining e-mail work groups for substance abuse, chronic diseases (including HIV/AIDS), mental and behavioral health, and/or primary health care, please call or e-mail Traci Patton, UHS Health Advocate at 726-2696, ext. 142 or traci@urbanhousingsolutions.org The conference was sponsored by the Baptist Healing Trust and the Human Rights Commission. And, as we heard from Erie Chapman, "Namaste" (the light in me greets the light in you).
And the Award Goes to . . .
The economy has been rough on everyone. When your well-being depends largely on the generosity of donors, you have to be careful to manage the limited resources you have--especially when donations plummet. The HCA Foundation, in an effort to help the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community, sponsored a cost savings competition. Urban Housing Solutions won the large agency category for our Middle Tennessee nonprofit cost savings Web site idea! In addition to a $2,500 check, the HCA Foundation committed to implementing our idea! The award was announced at the Center for Nonprofit Management's Bridge to Excellence Conference on May 12th. Congrats to the other large agency finalists--Adventure Science Center and CASA of Davidson County; the small agency winner, Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee, and the small agency finalists--Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center and the Council on Aging of Greater Tennessee.
"Fun Day" True to its Name!
It truly was a day of FUN at Mercury Courts today, with music, food, and more. "Fun Day" brought residents a whole day of entertainment and activities. To start, the Nashville Humane Association donated a morning of their time and services by bringing their ROVER truck to our front door. The ROVER, staffed by a Veterinarian, Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician, Veterinary Assistant and Project Coordinator, travels four days a week providing pet services including spaying/neutering. Next up, United Neighborhood Health Services brought their mobile unit and gave residents free health screenings. This was a great companion to the free STD/HIV testing performed by the Metro Health Department and the information brought to us by both Nashville's Mental Health Cooperative and HealthSpring Insurance Company!! True to its name, Fun Day wasn't all business. While our residents took care of their pets and their own health, case manager Saul Eady led a grilling team and residents filled their bellies. Good food tastes even better when it's accompanied by great music, and today we were lucky enough to have musical guest Erica Lane set up on "stage." When not playing games and winning prizes, our residents entertained each other during karaoke hour. Fun Day came to a close with "Movie Night," including ice cream, popcorn, and more. What a great day it was, bringing residents from different properties together and building community!
"Times Tighten for Working Poor"
Urban Housing Solutions was mentioned in a recent story on low-income Nashvillians and a new, related Frist photographic exhibit. News Channel 5 identified us as one of the organizations meeting the ever-increasing need for affordable housing in Nashville. As "more and more people who have never asked for help before now find themselves in need," our waiting lists fill. Accurately mentioned in the telecast, as the need increases donations seem to decrease. Folks feel the squeeze of the economic times and hesitate to give as many contributions. Foundations, also, who normally provide many grant monies to local nonprofits, are operating on reduced budgets. Thanks to the Frist for giving due attention to our working poor population, and thank you to News Channel 5 for highlighting both this issue and our role in addressing it! To read and watch the full story, visit NewsChannel5.com.
If you'd like to make a contribution, don't forget to visit our Donation Page!
Thank You, Nashville!
Thank You, Nashville!
In Loving Memory
Michael Walden
Michael Walden, Director of Property Management and Maintenance for Urban Housing Solutions, passed away on Monday, 
January 19th. He worked for UHS for 11 years and left behind scores of friends—not only his fellow employees but vendors and residents, as well. Michael’s funny, easygoing nature will be missed by all of us.
January 19th. He worked for UHS for 11 years and left behind scores of friends—not only his fellow employees but vendors and residents, as well. Michael’s funny, easygoing nature will be missed by all of us. Donations may be made to the Vanderbilt Burn Center in his memory.
We are planning a new community area at our Eastwood Courts location in Michael's honor. To be named Michael's Place, it will include a new playground, benches, landscaping, and possibly a community garden. If you would like to help, please call Brandi at 726-2696, ext. 114.
We are planning a new community area at our Eastwood Courts location in Michael's honor. To be named Michael's Place, it will include a new playground, benches, landscaping, and possibly a community garden. If you would like to help, please call Brandi at 726-2696, ext. 114.
Soles4Souls Keeps Academy on its Feet
Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization since 2005, organizes the donation of shoes to needy populations worldwide. They have shipped thousands of "soles" to over 35 states and 50 countries, and have recently chosen our very own Nashville as a recipient city! The Academy, our intensive rehabilitation program begun last fall, is officially the recipient of 31 pairs of brand new men's shoes. Last week, the men gratefully received these shoes, shoes that will keep them on their feet and working towards better life and job skills. Thank you Soles4Souls! 
UHS Awarded New Property
We are proud to announce that we were recently chosen as recipient of a former
The property, at the corner of
The small cafeteria will be converted to a cafe with possible performance space for exhibits, open-mic nights, meetings, or activities sponsored by the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Seven upper-level units will be small shops for artists, entrepreneurs, or even pastry chefs to sell their wares to the community.
Plans are still underway, but we thank Mr. Preston very much for this honor and opportunity. We also thank you for your involvement with us, without which we couldn't continue to undertake great ventures such as this! We will keep you updated on this visionary project's progress!
*News Flash*
New Web Site for 701 Porter
Visit today for commercial leasing opportunities and 701 Porter's concept design.
Construction starts in early 2009 with an expected completion date of 2010.
New Web Site for 701 Porter
Visit today for commercial leasing opportunities and 701 Porter's concept design.
Construction starts in early 2009 with an expected completion date of 2010.
ibakesale.com Makes It Possible to Shop Online and Support Urban Housing Solutions at the Same Time!
iBakeSale.com partners with hundreds of online stores to allow shoppers to receive up to 20% cashback from everyday online purchases. You can then choose to keep the cash OR donate it to Urban Housing Solutions with the click of a mouse!
iBakeSale.com partners with hundreds of online stores to allow shoppers to receive up to 20% cashback from everyday online purchases. You can then choose to keep the cash OR donate it to Urban Housing Solutions with the click of a mouse!
It's easy, just follow these steps:
- Go to www.IBakeSale.com
- Sign-up using your name and email address
- Select Urban Housing Solutions Inc as your chosen "Cause"
- Under "My Account" then "Edit My Profile," select the percentage of your cashback that you'd like to donate to UHS
- Hint: By downloading the "Shopping Bag" feature, you can shop directly through any vendor's website and ibakesale.com will notify you if the site participates in the program!
As you do your online shopping this year, your cashback contributions will accumulate and help us carry out our mission to provide affordable housing for low-income Nashvillians.
Here's what Urban Housing Solutions offers:
- Over 600 affordable rental apartments at different locations throughout Nashville and Madison.
- Safe, secure, well-lighted properties that have been Section 8 approved.
- Good locations close to bus lines, grocery stores, laundries, and other conveniences.
- Below market-rate rents.
- Specialized housing for the homeless, individuals in recovery, and people with mental illness. We also have housing for individuals and families who simply cannot afford market-rate housing. Our monthly rent starts at just $360 for an efficiency apartment.
- Assistance with emotional and mental health problems, transportation, and substance abuse issues.
- Linkage to a variety of other governmental and private services and benefits through our team of social workers.
- Spanish translations of applications, leases, and other forms.
411 Murfreesboro Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37210
(615) 726-2696