Helping Hands: 4 Nonprofits in Williamson County
Though Williamson County boasts a low unemployment rate and strong family income statistics, unmet needs still exist. Ahead are four nonprofits that work to serve the community by addressing some of those needs.
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Davis House Child Advocacy Agency
Davis House Child Advocacy Agency provides counseling to children who have experienced abuse.
“Sometimes, kids will think the abuse is their fault,” says Carolyn Evans, executive director of Davis House. “Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can help them work through that narrative and put the story back in place. It doesn’t let abuse define them.”
The agency partners with the legal system to protect children who may be ordered to testify in court.
“We do the forensic interview to start an investigation,” Evans says, adding that the recorded interview may be used to inform prosecutors and, eventually, a judge or jury without exposing the child to additional questioning.
Davis House has been serving the community since 1999. The nine-person agency is currently honoring its founders as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, which include the annual Button Ball fundraiser event.
The agency relies largely on donations to bring services to clients, and the annual fundraiser helps generate a significant degree of that support, Evans says.
GraceWorks Ministries
Franklin native Alicia Bell was still a child when GraceWorks Ministries was founded. Still, she remains grateful to those who brought together faith leaders and community groups to help find a solution to poverty.
In 2013, Chris Whitney felt called to move from St. Louis to Williamson County with his wife, Elaine, to form a church. Instead, he founded an agency called One Generation Away that saves literally tons of healthy food from destruction each month and ensures it finds its way to those who need it.
“We have three core pillars: food, shelter and support programming,” says Bell, who is now CEO of GraceWorks Ministries.
Hundreds of volunteers assist GraceWorks, helping with things like food distribution and providing donations. The organization has a thrift store in Franklin that resells clothing and other items to raise money for its operation, including its rent and utilities assistance program for families in need.
“This can really have an impact,” Bell says of the assistance program. “When someone is behind on their rent, our help can stop the next domino from falling and provide a chance for someone to take a breath of relief.”
One Generation Away
One Generation Away’s service area extends throughout Middle Tennessee into Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The organization collects donations from grocery stores and restaurants that dispose of high-quality food for various reasons, and by “rescuing” it, One Generation Away can redistribute the food through its mobile feeding program, which now includes doorstep drop-offs.
One Generation Away also partners with homeless and domestic violence shelters, as well as other organizations that provide food for the hungry. Additionally, the organization sponsors giveaway events at sites where tractor-trailer loads of donated groceries can be provided to individuals and families in the region.
Whitney says he still participates in food distributions, calling it an absolute joy to meet the recipients and learn their stories.
“I think that’s the beauty of it,” he says. “When you see the face of hunger, it often isn’t what you think. Sometimes, it looks just like your neighbor.”
The Refuge Center for Counseling
The Refuge Center for Counseling has provided mental and emotional care for the past two decades.
In 2024, the growing organization moved into a new 15,200-square-foot facility that welcomes more than 4,000 clients each year to its beautiful wooded retreat.
The center’s counseling services are billed on a sliding scale based on income, making counseling an affordable option for almost everyone, says Amy Alexander, CEO and co-founder.
With approximately 70 licensed therapists, the agency provided 41,000 counseling sessions in the past year.
The Christian-based counseling center also provides self-nurturing activities, such as art classes, meditation and yoga.
“We stress things people need in their life, such as friendship, movement, creativity, as well as a time for silence and service,” Alexander says.
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