Dream Streets

West Nashville Dream Center DBA Dream Streets is a faith-based non-profit community center with two locations in West and North Nashville. We exist to protect and empower people living in distress and serve primarily minority, single mothers and their families. Our current programs include:

Mobile Food Distribution- Our team rescues and redistributes over 500,000 pounds of fresh, high-quality groceries each year to over 44,000 people living in food deserts. Donations are transported via refrigerated trucks from partner stores to nine weekly distribution sites that take place on sidewalks, street corners, playgrounds, and in parking lots throughout MDHA, privately-owned Section 8, and income-restricted apartment communities located in the 37209 and 37208 area codes. 

After School Programs (Elementary and Middle)-  Our Elementary Program serves thirty high-need, impoverished students at Robert Churchwell Elementary through academic tutoring, fine arts lessons, social emotional learning activities, and by providing healthy meals and snacks. Our Middle School Program serves similar demographic students attending John Early Middle School and provides academic enrichment, physical wellness activities, character building education, and by providing healthy meals and snacks. We work with each school’s administration to identify students in need of positive mentorship, out-of-school time activities, and academic support to avoid dropping out of school, being expelled due to behavior, or falling behind due to transient homelessness. 

Job Readiness Program- Program staff have developed a workforce development plan for formerly incarcerated minority males living in the 37208 area of North Nashville. Enrollees participate in a six month program that includes tenancy in our Transitional Housing Facility; weekly classes on topics such as soft skills, resume building, financial literacy, social-emotional wellness, and job-specific skills; and weekly case management meetings with the program director. Participants also participate in six weeks of industry exposure field trips to see first hand some of the industries in which they are qualified to work; these are made possible through partnerships we have established with various companies across various sectors of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Dream Housing Grant- Year long, application based financial assistance and financial literacy program in which participants are matched with a financial mentor to build wealth and pay off debt. Participants are required to attend all large group training sessions, mentor sessions, and accomplish mutually-agreed upon goals to receive monthly rental assistance paid directly to their landlord. This infusion of funds allows participants to practice having discretionary income and utilizing it to either build their savings or pay off various types of debt. 

Dream Streets Moms- Weekly support group for minority single mothers to build community, engage in educational workshops, and find support from women in similar situations. Participants engage in group counseling, financial literacy sessions, homeownership workshops, goal setting and mindfulness training, group fitness, healthy cooking and nutrition classes, and self-care retreats. We also provide referrals to education and specialized training programs to promote increased upward mobility and economic stability.

Transitional Housing Facility- The James R. Brown Transitional Housing facility is made up of 48 short term housing units for individuals and families at risk for homelessness. Accepted tenants are admitted at a rental rate of no more than 30% of their income, but they are required to meet with our staff case managers on a biweekly basis to work on accomplishing goals related to upward mobility. Requirements beyond participating in ongoing case management include completing financial literacy courses, paying off debt, increasing hours of work, acquiring social service support where eligible, and enrolling in educational opportunities