Franklin Community Development (FCD) is the major ministry arm of Franklin Community Church (FCC). Below is an explanation of FCD and how it fits in with FCC:

PURPOSE: By initiating innovative ideas and partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and churches, Franklin Community Development will offer HOPE to citizens of Franklin and Williamson County. By doing such, we strive to be a conscience for the community.

Mission: By focusing on four areas we will offer H.O.P.E. through…

H – Housing

O – Occupational Training

P – Prisoner Care

E – Education

HOUSING

Isaiah prophesies of a day coming when “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (Isaiah 32:18).

The Psalmist proclaims that God is “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows…God gives the desolate a home to live in…” (Psalm 68:5-6, RSV).

We believe that adequate, safe, and secure shelter is a basic human need.

Adequate, safe, and secure housing includes fair housing, emergency housing, transitional housing, and affordable housing. As a conscience of the community, Franklin Community Development will work to provide adequate, safe, and secure housing to the most vulnerable in our community.

Fair housing is a civil right protected by federal law and is designed to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices. This includes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. It also includes educating renters on their rights and pushing back against unfair leasing and lending practices.

Emergency housing refers to working with churches, non-profits, and governmental agencies to provide families and individuals with adequate housing during times of emergency. Emergency housing also encompasses providing shelter for people during times of extreme weather.

Transitional housing is helping people move from emergency situations to a place of their own. Transitional housing also involves group homes and half-way houses. Transitional housing is a chance for people to get back on their feet.

Affordable housing refers to ensuring people who work in a community can also live in that community. As advocates of affordable housing we believe a community is healthier when it provides housing for its entire workforce.

Franklin Community Development believes a healthy community is one where all people are welcomed and all people have a safe and secure place to call home. As a conscience of the community we will be advocates for those lacking adequate and safe housing.

OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING

Civil Rights icon, Dr. John Perkins said, “The best welfare program is a job!” Occupational training is the difference between giving a man a fish and teaching him how to fish.

Franklin Community Development is committed to teaching and training people with basic principles and skills to help them obtain and keep a livable wage job. Our main avenue of doing this is through the internationally recognized program called Jobs for Life (www.jobsforlife.org).

Furthermore, we desire to begin an entrepreneurship program and offer micro-loans for people wishing to start their own business, enroll in college, or attend a vocational school.

Our ultimate goal is to return to people the dignity that comes from self-sustainability.

PRISONER CARE

Franklin Community Development is active in local jails and prisons, providing hope for the incarcerated. As well as ministering to prisoners on the inside, Franklin Community Development desires to provide safe places outside of jail for recently released inmates to learn, be mentored, receive training, and prepare for a better life.

Why is it so important to be involved in prisoner care? Because according to the United States Department of Justice “Over 10,000 ex-prisoners are released from America’s state and federal prisons every week and arrive on the doorsteps of our nation’s communities. More than 650,000 ex-offenders are released from prison every year, and studies show that approximately two-thirds will likely be rearrested within three years of release…Assisting ex-prisoners in finding and keeping employment, identifying transitional housing, and receiving mentoring are three key elements of successful re-entry into our communities.”

The Bible exhorts us to, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).

EDUCATION

Many people in our society struggle through life because of a lack of education. The reasons for this lack are numerous:

• No parental guidance growing up.
• A lack of resources.
• A broken public education system.
• A lack of financial resources.
• Criminal background.

By operating the Natchez Social community center, Franklin Community Development offers hope through education.

Presently, the community center provides a safe place for students to come before and after school. The community center has computers and Internet access and tables to sit around to do homework. In the future, we plan to offer tutoring. We are also partnering with other organizations to offer GED preparation, college application help, family education, and addiction counseling. A long term goal is to start a  boys charter school for Kindergarten through 4^th grade where all teachers and administrator are men.

Franklin Community Development strongly believes education is the key that unlocks the door to more opportunities and a better future.

GIVING TO FRANKLIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

If you would like to make a financial gift to Franklin Community Development, click here and apply your donation to “Franklin Community Development.” If you prefer, you can mail a check to the below address. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Franklin Community Development

200 Devrow Court

Franklin, TN 37064

Franklin Community Development

is a “doing business as” of

Franklin Community Church, Inc.

As such, Franklin Community Development can receive tax deductible gifts.

200 Devrow Court

Franklin, TN 37074

(615) 440-7553