by Rachel Morris, Operations Director of The Next Door
I have been employed by The Next Door for almost 12 years. During this time, as the Operations Director, my mission and purpose have been to provide a safe, clean, and functional facility to the clients of TND. When I joined the staff in 2007, we were providing services from a small three-story building in downtown Nashville off 8th Avenue and Demonbreun. This facility served our purpose well until we began expanding to meet the growing needs of the community. Our goal to serve more clients was coming to fruition, but the reality was that our facility could not keep up. The staff were literally working on top of one another, and the building was deteriorating faster than it could be repaired.
In 2012, we began dreaming of a new and improved facility that would enhance our services and productivity. In August of 2014, by the grace of God and generous donations from our beloved donors and vendors, our dreams came true! Staff and clients moved from 8th Avenue to a new state-of-the-art facility off Charlotte Avenue.
As Operations Director, this was more than I could have ever imagined. We went from a 13,000 square foot building housing 40 clients to a 44,000 square foot facility that can house 82 women. We upgraded to all new equipment, bedding, furniture and beautiful decor. We now have:
- A commercial kitchen that a restaurant owner would be ecstatic to have
- Group rooms with comfy chairs and essential oils
- Computers that actually work
- Beautiful, professional artwork on the walls displaying our core values
- Attractive bathrooms with fancy tile
- Ergonomic chairs and new functional desks
Our hearts have been incredibly grateful since our dream became a reality in 2014. But speaking as someone that worked in the old facility for 7 years, and the new facility for almost 5 years, I can tell you that it is not the building that makes the real difference in the lives of our clients. It is the professional and dedicated staff who truly care about our clients finding their way out of addiction. When you walk into our facility you will immediately sense a dedicated team that come to work each day ready to serve with their whole heart.
TND has been providing consistent, compassionate care since we opened our doors in 2004. On May 4, 2019, we will celebrate 15 years of service. I am honored to be a part of an organization that is willing to serve our clients in any environment. We are proud of our facility but even more grateful for those who truly make The Next Door a success. If you know someone that needs treatment – a daughter, sister, or friend – I can guarantee they will be in the hands of providers that truly care at The Next Door.
