Artist in Residency Program

Centennial High students in a PhotoVoice project.

The Brentwood/Franklin Woman's Service Club is pleased to support the Arts Council of Williamson County and its Artist in Residency program.

This year's program is being led by Jen Vogus who is teaching special education students at Centennial High School in a participatory photography method known as Photovoice.  This method gives voice to individuals who typically do not have one in their community.  This arts-approach utilizes the power of photography as a catalyst for self-expression and invites individuals to capture and share details about their lives and perspectives that might otherwise be difficult for them to convey.

Join us April 3 when Nan Zierdon, president of the Arts Council, updates us on this project and other programs of the council.

For more info on the Arts Council, go to their web-site:
www.artscouncilwc.org

March Program: Healing Housing

When Olivia Mullin 

Thanks to Lauren Kissinger and Olivia Mullen for sharing the history and mission of this non-profit organization with us.

Healing Housing is Williamson County's only transitional living program for women in recovery.  Everyday, women leave treatment and have nowhere to go.  Many lack the resources to continue growing in their recovery journey.  This non-profit offers safe housing and supportive programming to increase the chances of maintaining long-term sobriety.

To donate or learn more about them, go to web-site:

www.healinghousing.org

of Stacy after she left prison. Stacy was seeking a fresh start free from aAtlcohol and drugs, but she had no safe place to go. Without a secure, nurturing environment, Stacy would end up back on the streets.

​

In March 2015, Olivia met with a group of Christian women who were also dedicated to offering a unique "next step" for women in recovery. This group realized Nashville was experiencing a crisis: there were not enough beds for low-income women coming out of drug treatment programs. Their primary goal was to show the love of God and provide a safe and structured environment where women in recovery could continue to grow and heal.When Olivia Mullin began volunteering as a mentor to women in a state prison, she had no idea that her experience would lead to the establishment of what would later become Healing Housing. For months, Olivia worked with Stacy, a young mother with a history of sexual abuse, abandonment, and homelessness. Olivia learned that Stacy had found herself addicted to drugs and alcohol and had received a prison sentence for multiple drug-related convictions. Olivia worried what would become of Stacy after she left prison. Stacy was seeking a fresh start free from alcohol and drugs, but she had no safe place to go. Without a secure, nurturing environment, Stacy would end up back on the streets.

​

In March 2015, Olivia met with a group of Christian women who were also dedicated to offering a unique "next step" for women in recovery. This group realized Nashville was experiencing a crisis: there were not enough beds for low-income women coming out of drug treatment programs. Their primary goal was to show the love of God and provide a safe and structured environment where women in recovery could continue to grow and heal.When Olivia Mullin began volunteering as a mentor to women in a state prison, she had no idea that her experience would lead to the establishment of what would later become Healing Housing. For months, Olivia worked with Stacy, a young mother with a history of sexual abuse, abandonment, and homelessness. Olivia learned that Stacy had found herself addicted to drugs and alcohol and had received a prison sentence for multiple drug-related convictions. Olivia worried what would become of Stacy after she left prison. Stacy was seeking a fresh start free from alcohol and drugs, but she had no safe place to go. Without a secure, nurturing environment, Stacy would end up back on the streets.

​

In March 2015, Olivia met with a group of Christian women who were also dedicated to offering a unique "next step" for women in recovery. This group realized Nashville was experiencing a crisis: there were not enough beds for low-income women coming out of drug treatment programs. Their primary goal was to show the love of God and provide a safe and structured environment where women in recovery could continue to grow and heal.

Operation Smile. January 24, 2018

Fun, Fellowship, and service for Operation Smile!  

73 children's hospital gowns, 24 no-sew blankets, and 54 Smile bags were prepared by 54 volunteers through 289 volunteer service hours and shipped with 20 stuffed animals to the headquarters of Operation Smile in Virginia Beach, VA.

In addition to providing cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children worldwide, Operation Smile works as a non-governmental organization to reduce the occurrence of cleft lips and palates worldwide; develops ambassadorships to raise awareness of cleft issues; sponsors a world care program for international cases requiring special care; organizes chapters and foundations worldwide to assist countries in reaching self-sufficiency with cleft surgeries; hosts a U.S. care network to assist families in the U.S. with cleft issues; develops and administers worldwide education programs related to cleft issues; and organizes student leadership programs.   For more details, go to https://www.operationsmile.org/