Metro agency will hand out more aid for energy bills

One Metro Nashville agency has already seen 3,590 families this year — a major spike over last year — requesting assistance with energy bills because of the tough economy and rising costs of food, gas and electricity. "We're seeing a lot more people, and it's likely to double over last year," said Lisa Gallon, spokeswoman for the Metro Action Commission, which helps low-income families. "We are seeing a lot of first-time customers in our agency who historically were able to handle those expenses." Her agency and others will split $80 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding that just came to the state to help low-income families pay for rising energy costs. That's up from a $30 million grant last year. It's unknown how much Middle Tennessee and Metro's allocations will be, but officials say it needs to be substantial. On Oct. 1, a rate hike went into effect for customers of Nashville Electric Service and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. Nashvillians' monthly electric bills have increased 10 percent to 20 percent to cover the cost of coal and other fuels used to generate electricity, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. It's a temporary adjustment that may go up or down in January. There were 5,993 Metro families who requested help with their energy bills last year, Gallon said. Statewide, 80,000 residents were served, according to the Department of Human Services. The state expects that figure to double, said Glenda Shearon, assistant commissioner for adult and family services in the department. "It's very good to get this news as it gets chilly," Shearon said. "And with electric bills going up, it works out that the funding was increased." Contact Chris Echegaray at 615-664-2144 or cechegaray@tennessean.com.

Foreclosure help could be just click away

Wkrn.com 10/11/2008 The Tennessee Housing Development Agency's Web site has been getting more and more hits as families receive foreclosure notices in the mail. According to THDA director Ted Fellman, "Nashville has about 1,500 foreclosures each month." Shelby County leads the state with one out of ever 232 households going into foreclosure while Davidson County's rate has increased 35% in the last 12 months. THDA.org is the state's first attempt to create a database of rental properties. "When Hurricane Katrina happened we realized we didn't have a database that would tell us where available units were," explained Fellman. Today, their Web site is helping families receiving foreclosure notices find apartments or rental homes. "This gives them an opportunity to look without actually traveling or driving around looking at apartments or finding the sites," Fellman continued. He said three or four months ago he would have said Tennessee was just six months from the end of the foreclosure crisis. In addition to foreclosures because of adjustable rate mortgages, Fellman said "now we're seeing more foreclosures due to the economy." He said, "...At the end of the day I think we're still a year away from seeing this turn the corner." More information is available on the THDA's Web site at http://www.thda.org/.

Nashville mayor enlists neighbors to clean up community

By HARRIET VAUGHAN • Staff Writer • August 1, 2008 In a rush to beat the rain, Gary French is out cutting his neighbor's grass. His neighbor is a single woman who often needs an extra pair of hands to help out. That's not a problem for French, who's lived on Calvin Avenue in Inglewood for 10 years. In fact, he's known up and down his street for helping his neighbors with odds and ends around their homes and in the yard. "That's the way I was raised. I've always cared and taken interest in my neighbors and my neighborhood," he said. French is the kind of neighbor Mayor Karl Dean wants to duplicate across the county with his latest initiative, Community Matters. He launched the program this week in Inglewood. Community Matters is designed to offer two months of coordinated assistance from the city's Codes and Health departments and the Davidson County sheriff's office. Neighborhoods prone to codes and health violations will be partnered up with the agencies to alleviate excessive citations. Residents and members of the county agencies will be looking for violations such as excessively tall grass, broken windows, illegal businesses and illegally parked vehicles. Metro Beautification will help residents keep litter and large bulk trash items off the streets. The program will begin in target communities in Inglewood and East Nashville and move to neighborhoods around the county. It's a relief That's a relief for residents such as 79-year-old Ann Smart. She and her husband built their East Nashville home 30 years ago. She says she's watched the neighborhood take a turn for the worse. "When we built our house, it was a good neighborhood. It has just gone down so much and it bothers me. Some people just don't take care of their places anymore," Smart said. Dean hopes to change that. As part of Community Matters, the mayor's office will conduct a two-hour training session for neighbors and neighborhood associations, teaching them how to identify codes violations and what to do if they spot one. If a resident does not correct the violation noted by a neighbor, they will be reported to the appropriate agency. The agency will give them a time frame to fix the problem. If the resident refuses, he or she will be summoned to appear before a judge and could be given jail time. "If someone's shutter is falling off, report that. If someone's car is parked illegally with illegal tags, report that," said Scott Wallace, a neighborhood liaison for the mayor's Office of Neighborhoods. "We can't be everywhere and if we can stay on top of that, the neighborhoods will prosper." Program will help Paul Koumanelis, owner of Pizzereal restaurant in East Nashville, is excited about the program. He opened his restaurant four years ago. Clean streets and safer surroundings could mean more business in what was previously a home on North 11th Street. "I think it's cool. Things are already on the upswing and this will really help," he said. Koumanelis says often, people walk up and down the street near his business and litter. At least two homes within one block of his restaurant are in violation of city codes. Brady Banks, director of the mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, says Community Matters is a proactive approach to reclaim neighborhoods gripped by crime and neglect. Banks says the surge in county resources in target areas under the program will not deplete the staff responding to needs in other neighborhoods. A complete report of violations corrected will be published at the end of each 60-day program. The results will also be available online. Contact Harriet Vaughan at 615.259.8048 or hvaughan@tennessean.com.

Metro schools sets up number for back to school questions

BY ANDY HUMBLES AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM 726-5939 • July 25, 2008 Metro Nashville Public Schools is providing a Customer Service Center so families can get assistance for any back to school questions, including school assignment and transportation. Families are strongly encouraged to start asking questions to avoid last minute concerns or confusion. The contact number is 259-INFO (4636) and is available 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.The number will be available for calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the week of Aug. 4.Metro schools begin classes on Aug. 11.

State issues sales tax holiday in time for back to school

Just in time for back to school, the state has issued a Sales Tax Holiday for the weekend of Aug. 1-3. Tax exempt items are: * School and school art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item; * Clothing with a price of $100 or less per item; and * Computers with a price of $1,500 or less. For more information about the Sales Tax Holiday, visit www.tntaxholiday.com.This Web site lists exempt items, a retailer’s guide and frequently asked questions. MNPS Customer Service Center Taking Your Calls The start of school is right around the corner, and it is never too early for families to find information that will help students begin the school year on a good foot. Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools provides a Customer Service Center so families can get assistance for any back to school questions, including school assignment and transportation.Families are strongly encouraged to start asking questions now to avoid any last minute worries or confusion. Contact the Center any day from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at 259-INFO (4636).The week of Monday, Aug. 4, the Customer Service Center will be open extended hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for last minute calling. The Customer Service Center opened in August of 2005. Since its inception, the CSC has taken nearly 600,000 calls. The center is equipped to take calls in English, Spanish and any special needs calls.For more information, visit www.mnps.org.

Are you having a Tag Sale?

If you are having a tag sale, your local groupis having a fish fry for a fund raiser, you want to show how proud you are of someone, needs some help in your community,missing a pet, looking for information on a particular issue, etc. Let us know and we will post on the blog. Remember this blog is for you, the community. All you have to do is leave Vivian an email at vivianwilhoite@comcast.net or Mindy at mssphotography@aol.com. We will make sure we get your event on the blog.

Clinic will offer free legal aid at Donelson Station

By ANDY HUMBLES • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• June 11, 2008 The Donelson Station will be the location of the third in a series of free legal aid clinics for those age 50 and over, 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 13. Drafting wills and living wills, establishing durable powers of attorney, and advice on issues such as health care, credit matters, denial of benefits, Social Security or mortgages will be covered. If necessary, a case can be referred to a volunteer attorney for future work. "We get calls all the time from people that have legal questions, and it can be very expensive" to hire legal counsel, FiftyForward Donelson Station Executive director Jane Schnelle said. "I know it will be very well attended.'' The Nashville Pro Bono Program that operates as part of the Legal Aid Society of Nashville and the Cumberlands is sponsoring the Senior Adult Legal Clinics. The first free legal aid clinic with FiftyForward, formerly known as Senior Citizens Inc., was in April at the FiftyForward in Bordeaux. The second was in May at the FiftyForward Knowles Center. The first two clinics have been the first Friday of a month. There was a conflict at the FiftyForward Donelson Station on the first Friday of June, which is why it's the second Friday this month. The FiftyForward Donelson Station had been known as Donelson Senior Center until a recent name change. The first two clinics had 38 seniors attend and more than 60 issues handled; said Nashville Pro Bono program director Lucinda Smith. The plan is to have one senior clinic most months at each of the five Davidson County senior centers, said Knowles Center director Sally Solesby. "It's a great service for people that may have not gotten around to writing a will or establishing a power of attorney,'' Solesby said. "The response to the first two were successful. My hopes are that they continue.'' The Nashville Pro Bono Program has partnered with the in-house legal department of Caterpillar Financial Services based in Nashville and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz for the senior clinics. Nashville Pro Bono also has commitments from Corrections Corporation of America and LP Building Products to have company attorneys participate. Other legal firms and departments could also be involved, Smith said. "It's good for us as an engagement tool and makes people glad about what they do,'' said Mike Sposato, general counsel of Caterpillar Financial who helped coordinate that company's involvement. Brett Parks of Caterpillar Financial was one of several volunteer lawyers participating at the FiftyForward Knowles clinic in May. Paralegals and an information technology person have also participated at the clinics. "The clients I served had different needs,'' Parks said. "One didn't need us to create any documents, but recently had her husband pass away and was interested in things she should be doing, and we were able to advise her. "Another lady did need some documents and a living will and had limited means, and we were able to create those documents. "It's not an issue many want to deal with — their own demise. But seniors need to think of . . . what needs to happen.'' The senior legal clinic grew out of other free clinics offered to the public, including one at the Legal Aid Society office on Deaderick Street the fourth Saturday of the month and another offered the third Friday of the month at Woodbine Community Center. Contact Andy Humbles by telephone at 726-5939 or by e-mail at ahumbles@tennessean.com.

Metro won’t contract out social services

Despite a 2004 audit that called for Metro Social Services to outsource its nutrition and homemaker services, the public agency announced Monday that it will continue to provide both services directly. The Metro Social Services Board of Commissioners made the decision after it determined that contracting out the two programs would not produce significant savings, according to an agency news release. A pilot private service provider project also revealed that clients were satisfied with Metro's programs. Through its homemaker program, the agency provides household and personal care help to 450 elderly, mentally and physically challenged adults. The agency's nutrition program provides a midday meal for 1,400 senior citizens at community centers and individual homes daily. Board Chairwoman Gwen Harris said disruption of the programs would be a disservice to the elderly in Nashville. — JANELL ROSSjross1@tennessean.com

Another Problem with '911" Calls in Nashville

Couple Displeased By 911 Response Time Husband, Wife Mugged Downtown Reported By Marc Stewart POSTED: 1:45 pm CDT May 14, 2008 UPDATED: 2:45 pm CDT May 14, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Nashville couple was mugged on a downtown city street, and they aren't pleased with the response time from 911. The victims said it took almost five minutes for anyone to answer their call. "I was just about to swipe (my security card,) when the guy put me in a headlock and threw me on the ground right here," victim Ben Bahil. Bahil said he was attacked from behind, put in a headlock and thrown to the ground as he was about to enter a building. He called 911 for help but someone didn’t pick up his call until four minutes and 28 seconds later. "Four minutes is ridiculously long for someone to answer the phone at 911," said Bahil. He and his wife were not hurt, but he wonders what would have happened if the situation was more serious. "If one of us had been bleeding, if one of us had been hurt severely, four minutes can mean the difference of life and death in some situations," said Bahil. If there is a delay in the 911 system, there is a goal set for answering in no more than 90 seconds. Amanda Sluss of the office of emergency management said that, "People should absolutely have confidence in the 911 system." According to 911 dispatch officials, when this happened at 1 a.m. two weekends ago, the 911 center was getting a spike in calls. During the 15 minutes before Bahil dialed, Sluss said they were handling several emergencies, including a suicide attempt and an officer needing assistance. They said 27 calls came during that period, seven of which were hang-ups that required call backs. "This situation that we're talking about here, when you're referring to when you have these great spikes in 911 calls is not a staffing issue. We're dealing with technology, and we're dealing with the fact that sometimes there are major incidents," said Sluss. "It's not that, we can't have 50, 40 call takers at any given time. We don't have that staffing, but we don't have those numbers to be able to staff." Bahil said he doesn't like that explanation and will push for change. "Until it is (changed,) my advice is to anyone living in Davidson County is try not to have a life threatening emergency," said Bahil. Currently there is no permanent director of the Davidson County 911, but a national search is being conducted to fill the position. Please watch this video. http://www.wsmv.com/news/16262325/detail.html Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Do not forget to Start Saving your Pull Tabs

We have a few weeks before the District "29" cleanup at the end of May, so you do have some time to save them. At the District "29" cleanup you will be receiving little house to bring home with you to start saving them. Bring what you have collected so far, At a later date we will tell you when we will be collecting them. If you do not have one of the little houses that the Ronald House workers gave us a plastic bag will do... I am also was notified yesterday that there are many organizations collecting the tabs for other causes such as making wheel cheers from the Tabs... It is amazing that such a little thing such as a tab can turn people's lives around...

District 29 Great American Clean-up

Get on Your March, Get Ready, Get Set, GO! Saturday, May 24, 2008 is the District 29 Great American Clean-up. The Metro Council recognized by Council Resolution, the period of March 1 to May 31 as the Great American Clean-up with the month of May for when Davidson residents are to get with neighbors, watch groups, associations and various community organizations to clean-up, spruce up and clean out. Many Davidson county groups have started with one of the largest clean-up thus far occurring last Saturday at the Percy Priest Lake.

In the month of May, The Alliance of District 29 will host the District 29 Great American Clean-up on Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 9 am to 1 pm with Food Fun and Fellowship to be held from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm in the parking lot of the Smith Springs Church of Christ, 2783 Smith Springs Road in Nashville. Neighborhood groups should contact Lawrence Jackson of Metro Beautification @ 862-8418 to get FREE gloves, trash bags, flower seeds, and T-shirts for your clean-up of eye sores in your immediate neighborhood.

Services that will be available at the Smith Springs Church of Christ are between

9:00 a.m and 1:00 p.m

Ø Donate your not-so-used clothing to Goodwill.Ø Shred all of your confidential documents for FREE.

Ø Throw away your large household items until the roll-off bins are full.

Ø Special containers to throw away old paint will also be available.

Ø Donate your old cell phones and chargers to domestic violence shelters. The shelter will give your old cell phone to victims to call for help.

Ø Donate your soda can tabs to help the Ronald McDonald House.

Ø Sign the District 29 Community Pledge to help keep our neighborhoods clean.

Ø Get a FREE T-shirt, gloves, trash bags and flower seeds.

Ø Get with neighbors to clean-up eye sores areas in your immediate neighborhood.

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Ø Bring a lawn chair for fun, fellowship and FREE food with your neighbors after the clean-up. "This is a great way to begin your spring and summer by cleaning up your community and neighborhood and visit with your neighbors," says Mr. Jackson.

In case of inclement weather, the rain date is Saturday, June 28, 2008 with times remaining the same.

District 29 residents/community organizations are asked to contact Juanita Veasy, Beautification Commissioner of District 29 @ 399-6746 or Lena Brown Prince at 366-3728 for District 29 Great American Clean-up day. Or contact Council member Vivian Wilhoite at http://www.vivian-29.blogspot.com/ or 589-2003 for detailed information.

Woman shares story of addiction, recovery

Candace Mullins with her three boys, Cortez, 3, Marcus, 9, and Anthony, 1, at her home in Renewal House.




She credits Renewal House, a residential program for women and kids, with helping her beat drugs
By LEA ANN OVERSTREET • Staff Writer • May 7, 2008

Candace Mullins was strung out on crack cocaine and lost custody of her kids until she decided life was not life if it meant living addicted and alone.

The struggling mother had become another faceless drug user, a woman addicted and hiding in her isolated world. She sought comfort in drugs and lost sight of what life could offer. But having gone down that path, she prays that the memories stay with her, no matter how difficult.

"I never want to forget where I came from. From being in crack houses to turning tricks to waking up and just feeling disgusting because I didn't know what I had done. You can't imagine what that's like," Mullins said.

Grief over son's death kept her using drugs

Mullins' life was filled with disappointment and tragedy; it's not an excuse for her choices, but a reason. She said the relationship that was lacking with her mother might have led her to use drugs, along with a relationship with a man who used, but what would follow would keep her addicted.

Mullins had three boys when 5-year-old Carlyle died in 2005 after being taken out of his mother's care by the state and placed with family members.

"When my son passed away, I was grief-stricken, and I kept using. Then I got pregnant with Anthony, and that's when I said enough," Mullins said. Anthony is now 15 months old; brothers Marcus and Cortez are 9 and 3, respectively.

Mullins found refuge at Renewal House, a center in Bordeaux dedicated to treating drug-addicted women. But it's not just the women who are welcome.

"We are the only program in Nashville that allows women to live here with their children while going through the recovery process," said Dani Lieberman, development director.

And that impresses Ann Brooks with the Department of Children's Services. Brooks said she frequently sees women in need of help in her profession and a place like Renewal House "is very important to Davidson County."

Lieberman said the center wants to focus on early intervention, so mothers with children older than 10 must make other living arrangements for the children.

The Renewal House campus has two, three-story buildings with 15 one-bedroom apartments, which can house up to 15 women and their children. The program's staff includes licensed clinical social workers and an addictions counselor.

Rules are strict; expectations are high
Once the women have committed to staying at Renewal House they are subject to strict guidelines.

"This is a very structured program, and we expect a lot from the women," Lieberman said. "We have a lot of rules, but they understand that when they enter the program."

The women are responsible for the upkeep of their apartments, which are inspected regularly, and are subject to random drug testing.

"If they have drugs in their system, then that's automatic dismissal" from the program, Lieberman said.

Televisions are not allowed in the rooms, only in the community area of the apartment complex, and no phones, to keep the women completely focused on their recovery and their children.

As a woman moves through the program, the strict rules lessen and privileges increase. After graduating, they can move into Renewal House's affordable housing units, which are separate from the apartments.

Mullins, who spent 14 months in the program, now lives in one of the affordable housing apartments and has been paying for it for seven months. She has been clean and sober for 21 months, but she will not forget her past.

"You look at life different, and you look at other people different. I see people on the streets like I was, and I could still be there. I know what they're going through; … everybody has pain and everybody has a story," Mullins said.

To learn more infommation and what they might be able to help you with click on the follwing link.
www.renewalhouse.org

Volunteer List

Addiction recovery Agency: The Alcohol & Drug Council of Middle Tennessee Description: Seeks volunteers to answer its 24-hour Helpline. Shifts vary from 5 to 12 hours and can be split among volunteers. To volunteer: Call John or Mary Ann at (615) 269-0029. Fighting cancerAgency: The American Cancer Society Description: Needs volunteer drivers to transport cancer patients to and from treatment. To volunteer: Call 327-0991. Fighting diabetes Agency: American Diabetes Association Description: Need Volunteers to help plan the annual fundraising walk and also help with some clerical work. To volunteer: Call Lynley McCarley at 298-3066 ext. 3332 or e-mail lmccarley@diabetes.org Liver wellness Agency: American Liver Foundation Description: Needs volunteers to help with events, do clerical work and to be trained for speaking engagements. To volunteer: Call Kristy Weir at 297-6421 or at kweir@liverfoundation.org. Domestic violence haven Agency: Bridges of Williamson County Description: Needs volunteers to raise funds, sort donations, be a women's advocate, pick up donations, provide transportation, and staff a crisis line. To volunteer: call 599-5777. Helping children Agency: Cannon County Reach Description: Needs volunteers May 3 to paint and clean up. To volunteer: Call Angela King at 563-5518. Homes for all Agency: Community Housing Partnership Description: Needs volunteer building and painting crews. To volunteer: Call Stephen Murray at 790-5556 or e-mail Stephen@communityhousing.info. Juvenile court advocates Agency: Davidson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Description: Needs volunteers to serve as juvenile court advocates for abused and neglected children in Nashville. Morning and evening training classes offered. To volunteer: Call Cindy Johnson at 425-2383 or visit www.casa-nashville.org. Christian women's job corps Agency: Diamonds in the Rough Description: Needs teachers who teach G.E.D., an interpreter, mentors and anyone who loves working with single women and children. To volunteer: Call 500-4785. Family literacy program Agency: Estoy Aprendiendo ("I'm Learning") Description: Needs volunteer teacher tutors for adults learning English, volunteers to aid staff in toddlers room, and volunteers to tutor school-age children. To volunteer: Call Tracy Jennings at 941-8658. Helps the developmentally disabled Agency: Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. Description: Needs a carpenter to lower cabinet and build storage spaces, a musician for music therapy and an artist for arts and crafts sessions. To volunteer: Call Sereadia Dunn at 366-7454 or e-mail sdunn@epmi.org. Rescues animals Agency: Happy Tales Humane Description: Happy Tales Humane is need of foster "parents" for dogs and kittens. To volunteer to foster a dog: Please call (615) 791-0827, ext. 14 or e-mail Caninecorner@happytaleshumane.com. If interested in fostering kittens: Call 791-0827, ext. 11 or e-mail kmathis@happytaleshumane.com. Supports seniors Agency: Hendersonville Senior Citizens Center Description: Needs desk volunteers Monday noon-3 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.-noon. To volunteer: Call Joy Borawski at 822-8758. Helps at-risk children Agency: Monroe Harding Description: Needs mentors and tutors for at-risk children. Training will be provided and the time commitment can be as little as an hour a week. To volunteer: Call Melissa Houck at 298-5573, ext. 121 or e-mail melissahouck@monroeharding.org. Learning supplies for at-risk children Agency: PENCIL Box program of the PENCIL Foundation Description: Needs shopping assistants during teacher appointments Tuesday-Thursday from 2-5 p.m. at 1300 56th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37209. To volunteer: Call Sarah Killpack at 242-3167, ext. 233. Supports Nashville public schools Agency: Pencil Foundation Description: Needs volunteers to become tutors and mentors to students during the school year. Reading Partner volunteers serve elementary students as one-on-one tutors and classroom readers. Math Partner volunteers tutor fifth and sixth graders using manipulatives and problem-solving activities. To volunteer: Call Pencil at 242-3167, ext. 235 or visit www.pencilfoundation.org. Services for the mentally challenged Agency: Prospect Inc., Description: Needs volunteers to wash vans and help with various individuals. To volunteer: Call Bill Potter at (615) 444-0597. Assists seniors Agency: Springfield-Robertson County Senior Center Description: Needs a volunteer seamstress to sew denim curtains for Adult Care Center, volunteer painters, light carpentry (framing), sheet rock hangers, and light electrical for center refurbishing. To volunteer: Call Sarai Reed at 384-6367 or e-mail rcsc@bellsouth.net.

Volunteers Needed List For The Week

Addiction recovery Agency: The Alcohol & Drug Council of Middle Tennessee Description: Seeks volunteers to answer its 24-hour Helpline. Shifts vary from five to 12 hours and can be split among volunteers. To volunteer: Call John or Mary Ann at 269-0029. Fighting cancer Agency: The American Cancer Society Description: Needs volunteer drivers to transport cancer patients to and from treatment. To volunteer: Call 327-0991. Fighting diabetes Agency: American Diabetes Association Description: Needs volunteers to help plan the annual fundraising walk and also help with some clerical work. To volunteer: Call Lynley McCarley at 298-3066, ext. 3332, or e-mail lmccarley@diabetes.org Liver wellness Agency: American Liver Foundation Description: Needs volunteers to help with events, do clerical work and be trained for speaking engagements. To volunteer: Call Kristy Weir at 297-6421 or at kweir@liverfoundation.org. Domestic violence haven Agency: Bridges of Williamson County Description: Needs volunteers to raise funds, sort donations, be a women's advocate, pick up donations, provide transportation and staff a crisis line. To volunteer: Call 599-5777. Helping children Agency: Cannon County Reach Description: Needs volunteers May 3 to paint and clean up. To volunteer: Call Angela King at 563-5518. Homes for all Agency: Community Housing Partnership Description: Needs volunteer building and painting crews. To volunteer: Call Stephen Murray at 790-5556 or e-mail Stephen@communityhousing.info. Juvenile court advocates Agency: Davidson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Description: Needs volunteers to serve as juvenile court advocates for abused and neglected children in Nashville. Morning and evening training classes offered. To volunteer: Call Cindy Johnson at 425-2383 or visit www.casa-nashville.org. Christian women's job corps Agency: Diamonds in the Rough Description: Needs teachers who teach G.E.D., an interpreter, mentors and anyone who loves working with single women and children. To volunteer: Call 500-4785. Family literacy program Agency: Estoy Aprendiendo ("I'm Learning") Description: Needs volunteers to tutor children and adults. To volunteer: Call Tracy Jennings at 941-8658. Helps the developmentally disabled Agency: Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. Description: Needs a carpenter to lower cabinet and build storage spaces, a musician for music therapy and an artist for arts and crafts sessions. To volunteer: Call Sereadia Dunn at 366-7454 or e-mail sdunn@epmi.org. Rescues animals Agency: Happy Tales Humane Description: Happy Tales Humane is need of foster "parents" for dogs and kittens. ,b>To volunteer to foster a dog: Please call (615) 791-0827, ext. 14 or email Caninecorner@happytaleshumane.com. If interested in fostering kittens, call 791-0827, ext. 11 or email kmathis@happytaleshumane.com. Helps at-risk children Agency: Monroe Harding Description: Needs mentors and tutors for at-risk children. Training will be provided and the time commitment can be as little as an hour a week. To volunteer: Call Melissa Houck at 298-5573, ext. 121 or e-mail melissahouck@monroeharding.org. Learning supplies for at-risk children Agency: PENCIL Box program of the PENCIL Foundation Description: Needs shopping assistants during teacher appointments Tuesday-Thursday from 2-5 p.m. at 1300 56th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37209. To volunteer: Call Sarah Killpack at 242-3167, ext. 233. Supports Nashville public schools Agency: PENCIL Foundation Description: Needs volunteers to become tutors and mentors to students during the school year. Reading Partner volunteers serve elementary students as one-on-one tutors and classroom readers. Math Partner volunteers tutor fifth and sixth graders using manipulatives and problem-solving activities. To volunteer: Call Pencil at 242-3167, ext. 235 or visit www.pencilfoundation.org. Services for the mentally challenged Agency: Prospect Inc., Description: Needs volunteers to wash vans and help with various individuals. To volunteer: Call Bill Potter at (615) 444-0597. Saving lives by organ donation Agency: Tennessee Donor Services Description: Needs volunteers from throughout Middle Tennessee to make presentations to business, civic and church groups and at a wide range of special events to inspire others to become organ and tissue donors. Training is provided. To volunteer: Call Misty Armour at (615) 564-3633 or e-mail marmour@dcids.org.