The Next Door provides transitional housing and recovery programs for women coming out of incarceration, domestic violence, human trafficking, and drug and alcohol abuse. As one of Nashville’s first housing facilities and re-entry programs exclusively for women, The Next Door has helped hundreds of women in Middle Tennessee build lives of flourishing and hope.
Established in 2004 by a small group of women from First Baptist Church in Nashville, The Next Door was founded to address one of the largest unmet needs in Tennessee – when women are released from incarceration, they often lack adequate housing or a support system, two elements that are essential to a successful re-entry into society. With an average of 2,500 women released from prison each year since 2010 (Tennessee Department of Correction), the challenge these women face is a return to old neighborhoods, old habits and for many, old addictions. The Next Door exists to be the “next step” for women as they transition out of experiences of incarceration (as well as addiction, trauma or mental illness) and into lives that are thriving both physically and mentally.
Using an integrated model that serves the whole woman, The Next Door provides a wide range of services including housing, mental health counseling, addiction rehabilitation, medical care and job training to women in crisis.
“The Next Door serves as the hands and feet of Christ,” says Communications Director Alison Cooke. For her and almost all the other staff members at The Next Door, it is their Christian faith that serves as the foundation of their work. “Women are met with so many barriers when trying to battle their addiction. [We] help alleviate some of those barriers and give women hope they have never had before – or haven’t had in a long time.”
In the organization’s mission to assist in every aspect of a woman’s recovery, The Next Door also serves the children of their clients – both born and unborn. From medically monitored detoxification and addiction treatment for women who are pregnant, to tutoring, mentoring and drug abuse prevention services for their children, The Next Door continues to expand its core service areas so they can holistically help women in crisis.
The Next Door is growing in size as well as scope. In 2014, they moved their flagship rehabilitation center to a location off Charlotte Avenue and opened the Freedom Recovery Community, an apartment complex that provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to women and their children. In their new facilities they now also offer recovery support groups, counseling and workforce development for their clients.
Looking for a way to get involved?
Whether you’d like to help with a special event, create welcome bags for new clients, donate clothes or assist the Food Service Team by serving lunch or dinner to residents, The Next Door has great volunteer opportunities for both individuals and families. Visit their website at thenextdoor.org to discover volunteer and donation opportunities.
If you or a woman you know is struggling with addiction and would like to speak with someone at The Next Door, please call 855-TND-HOPE.
http://thecontributor.org/news/januarys-nonprofit-spotlight-the-next-door-