Nashville Rescue Mission

Nashville Rescue Mission Serving those in Nashville experiencing hunger and homelessness. shor.by/NashvilleRescueMission

“I’ve known about Nashville Rescue Mission for a long time—over 30 years—as a police officer serving the Nashville commu...
12/23/2025

“I’ve known about Nashville Rescue Mission for a long time—over 30 years—as a police officer serving the Nashville community. Through those years, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles, the brokenness, and the deep need for hope in our city.”

“My good friend Tom, someone I’ve trusted for many years, approached me a couple of years ago with a simple question: would I consider joining the 'Tom, Tom, and Ray' team to visit the Mission twice a month? I gave it some thought, prayed about it, and then said yes. What I didn’t expect was how quickly it would grab hold of my heart.”

Steve Wright joins Tom Essary, Tommy Wheeler, and Ray Hibbs twice a month to host chapel at the Men’s Center. They often pass out crosses and Jesus figurines, get to know the guests, pray with the men, and share a message.

“This ministry has become more than just a routine visit, it’s something I look forward to with anticipation. It’s deeply rewarding... even a little addictive. There’s something about looking into the eyes of a man who’s been through the fire and seeing a flicker of hope light up again. Their smiles, their gratitude, their courage—it lifts me. It restores something in me that I didn’t even know needed restoring.” It’s at Nashville Rescue Mission.

“This isn’t a one-way street. It’s a beautiful exchange—service, joy, fellowship. Every time we’re together, I can feel God’s Spirit moving in the room. We all leave changed, strengthened, and united for His Kingdom. How could I not want to be a part of something like that?”

“I’m grateful to God—and to Tom, Tom, and Ray—for inviting me into this journey. The blessings I’ve received through this mission... honestly, they’re beyond words.”

From law enforcement to volunteering here, we are so grateful for your continued service of this community!

After a difficult divorce, domestic issues, and being "trapped in the room we were renting," Jamie was desperate for sta...
12/22/2025

After a difficult divorce, domestic issues, and being "trapped in the room we were renting," Jamie was desperate for stability and safety for her and her young daughter. She found it here. Her message to you? "I can't thank you enough" for your kindness and generosity to help neighbors who need a fresh start. Moms and kids need you this ! Provide meals, shelter, guidance, and hope today! https://bit.ly/47THH7P

“I had a very crazy childhood and I had always appeared to have it together, which was a facade." "I had a wonderful car...
12/22/2025

“I had a very crazy childhood and I had always appeared to have it together, which was a facade."

"I had a wonderful career in dentistry and raised my daughter on my own. Little did anyone know that I became insatiable in my addiction to drugs and alcohol. I was dying inside. I became physically sick and eventually homeless. I lost everything I owned, including my loved ones. They had severed all communication with me when I was brought here.”

“I had no idea that the Women’s Life Recovery Program existed. I was simply a homeless woman looking for shelter and maybe a hot meal. Little did I know that Nashville Rescue Mission would change my life. I went through the program and was able to realize that the Lord had placed me there.”

“God picked me up and dropped me here. He plucked me out of addiction and dysfunction and placed me in the loving arms of everyone at Nashville Rescue Mission. Everyone here loved me until I could love myself.”

Colleen Cosner, affectionately known as CoCo, began to work in the kitchen after she graduated.

“Little did I know that Jesus Christ always had me in His arms… Nashville Rescue Mission is God’s house. Everything I do here is for the Lord and for the Lord’s children. For my brothers and sisters in Christ. Nashville Rescue Mission is a calling for me. I absolutely love being surrounded by my coworkers, the guests and participants… They are my family—every single one of them.”

CoCo was recently promoted to Assistant Food Service Manager at the Women’s Center.

“Not only does working here make me feel wonderful about myself, it also keeps me grounded with fellowship and community. I love what I do. It brings me so much joy to prepare the meals with so much love in my heart. It’s my way of giving back what was so freely given to me.” It’s here.

For some graduates like CoCo, the Mission's impact comes around full circle. Now she is part of the team impacting new women walking through the Mission's doors.

“Every day is filled with love and laughter. We dance in the kitchen as we’re preparing food. The fellowship is just incredible. I can’t imagine my life without Nashville Rescue Mission.”

Help neighbors struggling with hunger and homelessness unwrapHOPE for Christmas this holiday season. Your generosity wil...
12/18/2025

Help neighbors struggling with hunger and homelessness unwrap
HOPE for Christmas this holiday season. Your generosity will mean joy and peace for people who need a new start! Read more here: https://bit.ly/4pXA73d

As we walked into the dining room at the Women’s Center, people immediately started eyeballing Dana's famous cookies.“I ...
12/18/2025

As we walked into the dining room at the Women’s Center, people immediately started eyeballing Dana's famous cookies.

“I love how excited the staff gets when we bring homemade goodies to the women and children.”

Dana’s warmth and generosity come from a deeply personal place.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, followed by a double mastectomy in November and had my final breast reconstruction surgery last year. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support from my church family, my immediate family, and support from the Heimerdinger Foundation (which provides meals to cancer patients).”

Her journey hasn’t been without struggle, but faith has shaped her path from an early age.

“I come from a broken family. My mom left my dad and moved to Tennessee when I was 14, along with my younger brother and sister. We had nothing and lived in the basement of a friend of hers for six months while she was able to get a job, car, and able to provide for us. It was a pivotal time in my life and through my local church I was saved and came to have a personal relationship with God. It set the course for the rest of my life."

"I have now been married to a wonderful man for 41 years with two grown children and six grandchildren. I live in Franklin and am self employed in the real estate appraisal business.”

Dana Sullivan first got involved at Nashville Rescue Mission because she wanted to support local missions.

“I started serving in 2011 by serving dinner at the women's campus along with a monthly group from my church. My friend, Jen Wilson, volunteered alongside me and she had a strong impact on my life. She has since went to be with the Lord.”

When Dana serves, her joy is contagious.

“I love the praise and worship music playing in the background while we serve. The praise music gives joy to all who listen who love Jesus. I enjoy serving and helping others. God calls for us to serve others and I feel that I am helping out God's mission by being obedient and loving others in need in my community.”

It’s at Nashville Rescue Mission.

Leadership Transition AnnouncementAfter prayerful consideration, I have made the decision to retire as President & CEO o...
12/16/2025

Leadership Transition Announcement

After prayerful consideration, I have made the decision to retire as President & CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission, effective July 31, 2026. Serving this ministry for more than 14 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

By sharing this news well in advance, our Board of Directors has ample time to conduct a thoughtful, prayerful search for the Mission’s next leader. I remain fully committed to my responsibilities through July 2026 and will continue supporting the Mission in a limited advisory capacity afterward.

Nashville Rescue Mission remains financially strong, operationally steady, and firmly rooted in its Christ-centered mission. Our programs and services will continue without interruption.

I am deeply grateful for your faithful support, generosity, and prayers. Please continue praying for our Board, staff, and the ministry as we walk through this season of transition, trusting God’s provision and guidance.

In Christ,
Glenn Cranfield
President & CEO, Nashville Rescue Mission

“This sounds cheesy, but the best gift I’ve ever received is the gift of starting over. In 2021, my life changed drastic...
12/15/2025

“This sounds cheesy, but the best gift I’ve ever received is the gift of starting over. In 2021, my life changed drastically due to a series of choices—most notably choosing to leave a 12-year marriage and choosing to move across the country. While it didn’t always feel like a gift, I knew I was being led in ways I didn’t understand at the time, but now make perfect sense.”

Amy DeRiggi, Head of People Operations at Gutterglove, simply has a heart for people.

“I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and spent most of my early life there. I made the jump to TN and it’s been a great adventure since. I’ve been in HR for nearly 30 years—it’s truly my passion. I love helping organizations build people-centered cultures where folks can really thrive. On the personal side, I’m married, have three adult children, and three dogs who run the house!”

When Gutterglove opened a manufacturing facility in Middle TN, Amy helped lead the charge to build community connections.

“It was important to us to develop relationships with organizations doing great work in the community. For us, organizations that address food insecurity and homelessness mattered, so we sought out partners that did that.”

“I support the Mission for many of the same reasons I chose my profession—because I care deeply about people. The Mission’s work touches lives in countless ways, and the impact looks different for every individual who receives their support. They meet people where they are and offer dignity in moments when it’s needed most.” It's to Nashville Rescue Mission.

“Helping others meet their basic human needs isn’t just important, it’s foundational. It’s about recognizing the humanity in each person and doing what we can to lift one another up. I love knowing we can all make an impact on someone and may never even know it—and that's a legacy someone carries the rest of their life.”

"Last December we had the privilege to deliver a sizable donation to the Mission, along with personal notes from many of our team members. The reaction from the team at the Mission was emotional and heartfelt. It was the best feeling in the world to know that we were able to make a small difference!”

"You don't know what it's like to be homeless or staying on the street," Clar says today, "and you don't want to." The t...
12/13/2025

"You don't know what it's like to be homeless or staying on the street," Clar says today, "and you don't want to." The terror of her experience lingers, yet it drove Clar to remember a place where hope and help can be found. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3KMyo1E

“As a man living in this world, it doesn’t take long to figure out that things can go wrong at any moment in time—even w...
12/11/2025

“As a man living in this world, it doesn’t take long to figure out that things can go wrong at any moment in time—even when things are going so well. That’s what happened to me."

"I come from a broken home and a broken lifestyle. I grew up chasing after things that just couldn’t fill that God-size hole in my heart. Money, power, position, popularity, etc. And like King Solomon said himself, it was all vanity and chasing after the wind. It wasn’t until I met God that I realized that he was the only answer and way. For me, it was no wonder why Jesus said that “if they say I am here or there, don’t go” because I found him right at the door of my heart 'knocking.' It was then that I realized that only in Him is the love, peace, joy, happiness, and freedom that my heart was longing for."

Micky began working in recovery, helping other men like him walk that same road.

"After a few years of serving him, things were going so well for me and then... things started to go wrong and I made some bad decisions. I ended up broken, lost, and hurt. 12 mixed drinks later, I ended up here. I know now it was God who brought me here. I knew I had to act quick so I wouldn’t keep self-medicating my pain with alcohol. I met with Monte Thomas, the Gateway Coordinator, and I told him my story and I’ll never forget what he said: 'Why don’t you come in here and let us help you get back on your feet again.' I knew at that moment that God had lead me to the right place. I could feel the genuine-ness in his words."

"I took his advice and came in and to my surprise, all the staff here have a genuine love and heart for God and for people who are hurting and suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Here, I found hope again and a people who want to share the hope that lives here in their hearts.”

Now, through work therapy, Micky helps Monte with intakes for the Gateway portion of the Men’s Life Recovery Program.

“Remember, you might not be able to change the whole world by only helping one person, but you can change the world for that one person you help. So in this season of giving, give someone the of . May God be with you and yours.”

"I was real scared. I didn't know where I was going to go. I actually slept in an alley for a couple of weeks." Paul's g...
12/09/2025

"I was real scared. I didn't know where I was going to go. I actually slept in an alley for a couple of weeks." Paul's grateful for Nashville Rescue Mission—for getting sober—for being welcomed by your love and compassion. Help others like him this Christmas! https://bit.ly/4p0V8d2

It's officially ❄️ THAT ❄️ time of the year in Nashville—the cold is upon us! Our neighbors who are hungry, hurting, and...
12/08/2025

It's officially ❄️ THAT ❄️ time of the year in Nashville—the cold is upon us! Our neighbors who are hungry, hurting, and experiencing homelessness are often coming off the streets, without much to their name, and warm, protective wear can truly save lives! We exist because of gracious donors throughout our community—offering a place for shelter, warm meals 3x a day, and more! That "more" includes clothing for those who need it.

Homelessness is not a one size fits all experience, thus neither are the clothes needed! All sizes are welcomed for men, women, and children in need.

Our donation center is located at 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. It's open from 7am to 7pm Monday through Saturday!

Happy to our incredible volunteers. You are the village—creating safety, compassion, and hope for neighbors who need i...
12/05/2025

Happy to our incredible volunteers. You are the village—creating safety, compassion, and hope for neighbors who need it most. We’re honored to serve with you and grateful you choose Nashville Rescue Mission ❤️

Address

639 Lafayette Street
Nashville, TN
37203

Telephone

+16152552475

Website

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Hope Lives Here

In 1954, the Mission opened its doors to provide food, clothing, and shelter to homeless men in the Nashville community. In 1968, the Mission expanded to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of homeless women and children in the community.