June 28, 2017
Today our board made the decision to start the process to sell the Glendale Lane property. This is a necessary and positive step towards a brighter future for Monroe Harding.
The sale of the Glendale Lane property will provide funds that will allow us to sustain the mission of Monroe Harding – launching youth beyond trauma into success. Our commitment to youth in care is stronger than ever and our reach has extended far beyond our current location. Our foster homes are spread across Middle Tennessee, our apartments for older youth are in West Nashville, and our resource center is located in downtown Nashville.
Monroe Harding’s location on Glendale Lane served as a home for generations of youth and was the perfect fit for those times. Our mission is not changing, just our location. We’re excited about the possibilities this change may bring. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to youth in care.
Is Monroe Harding closing?
No. Monroe Harding continues to provide uninterrupted services for our 200 children and families in our Foster Care, Youth Connections and Independent Living programs. Our programs continue to provide residential, education, workforce development and mental health services for youth from birth to 26. We continue to do for youth in foster care everything a family would do.
We currently have 45 foster families throughout Middle Tennessee who provide safe, loving homes for children from birth to 18 years of age. We are actively recruiting more parents in 14 counties, so that we can serve even more children.
Our Independent Living program provides a supportive housing environment for foster youth “aging out of the system” 18 – 21 where they can stay in school and continue to receive the resources they need during a critical period in their life.
Our Youth Connections program is the only resource center in Middle Tennessee, which provides education, workforce development, mental health, financial literacy and a peer support network for current/former foster youth 16 – 26.
In our 124 year history, needs have changed and new ones have emerged. That’s why Monroe Harding has evolved many times in its history to meet those needs. We continue to be faithful to our founder’s heartfelt desire to serve families and children in need. Our vision and commitment continues to be a healing community where Tennessee children and families are empowered to be strong and resilient.
ARE YOU SELLING THE PROPERTY?
Yes. Our property has served our agency well and been a home for thousands of children. But today, we serve children and youth in many settings – foster homes, apartments in West Nashville, and at our resource center downtown. By selling the property, we will spend less on property and more on serving youth. 8,000 youth are in foster care in Tennessee – nothing is going to get in the way of us supporting more of those youth who need us.
WHAT IS THE SALE PRICE?
The market and what a buyer is willing to pay determine the property’s worth. Our Property Committee will work with an agent to represent us as we sell the 22 acres.
WHO IS THE BUYER?
We do not have a buyer yet.
WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR A MOVE?
This will depend on the sale of the property. We will be looking for suitable future sites that will enable us to better meet the needs of youth and families. We expect this process will take 6 months or more.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE BUILDING NOW?
We continue to use the main building for our foster care offices, training and meetings, and administrative offices. We are in conversation with several other non-profits who may want a short-term lease.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BUILDINGS ON THE GLENDALE LANE CAMPUS?
The future of the Glendale Lane campus buildings will be determined by the buyer.
WHERE WILL MONROE HARDING OFFICES MOVE TO?
This will be determined by the property committee. They are taking into account the needs of youth and families served by Monroe Harding. The property committee is currently evaluating the commercial real estate market and our needs based on our programs and services.
HOW WILL THE MONEY FROM THE SALE BE USED?
Money from the sale of the property will replenish the agency’s trust fund and enable Monroe Harding to serve youth and families for many years to come. Monroe Harding is making ambitious goals to double the number of foster youth served in the next 2 years – and expand services for youth aging out of care – this sale will help us do that.
WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW TO HELP?
As Monroe Harding goes through this transition – our youth need your help more than ever. We ask you to recommit to funding Monroe Harding and step up your support if possible. Please share the message of Monroe Harding and the need for services for foster care youth and youth aging out.
Here are five things you can do to help:
- Tell your friends about Monroe Harding and our commitment to serving youth and families. There are 8,000 youth in care in Tennessee and 500 youth age out of foster care every year in Davidson County alone.
- Consider being a foster parent.
- Be a mentor for children in foster homes and young adults.
- Your dollars are going to be very important for our programs to continue to provide critical services to children and youth both in and aging out of foster care.
- We welcome your calls and questions so we can have direct conversations so you can help us prevent incorrect assumptions or miscommunications.
WHOM CAN I CONTACT WITH MY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ETC?
Sarah – 615.298.5573 x259 sarahbrock@monroeharding.org
Community Relations Email: communityrelations@monroeharding.org