Delivering the right resources at the right time
Our unique and efficient collection and distribution model is made possible through a strong partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and its Homeless Education Resource Office (HERO) Program. Because of this, we never have to spend time or resources to find students to serve – we are already directly connected with them through the HERO Program or other Metro Schools support staff. This advanced integration of services means most resources are distributed immediately at the school level, offering a discreet and dignified way for students to accept support.
Nashville students are at the center of all of our work, and we’ve created programming specific to their unique needs. Our fulfillment and distribution is driven by HERO team members as well as by school-level liaisons who maintain UniCycle Closets and identify specific family needs straight from the classroom.
What is the HERO Program and Who Qualifies?
Currently MNPS serves about 4,500 qualified HERO students annually. Students may qualify for the HERO program if they lack a “fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence.” More specifically, the program serves students who live temporarily in shelters, “doubled-up” with friends or relatives, in motels, campgrounds or in a space not designed for sleep, such as a car, due to not being able to find or afford housing of their own.
How does the HERO Program support students?
- School supplies, backpacks, basic hygiene items and other critical needs – this support is primarily through Nashville Community Connections
- School clothing, new shoes, socks and underwear – this support is through Nashville Community Connections
- Enrollment assistance
- School transportation to keep students in their original schools, when this is in the best interest of the student – some support from this comes from the Nashville Community Connections Family Fuel Fund
- Emergency food assistance – the HERO Pantry
- Referrals, advocacy and assistance across MNPS departments including school social workers, counselors and others
- Referrals and special programming with community resource providers such as The Office of Homeless Services, Oasis, Metro Social Services and more
- Collaboration with shelters where students live, including the Nashville Rescue Mission, Safe Haven, the YWCA and more
Knowing that we're not in this alone at the school level is so reassuring, not just to us, but to our families. We know that when our students' basic needs are not being met, they are typically unable to learn, even if they do make it to school. The HERO program and support from Nashville Community Connections' programming helps fill some of the gaps when it comes to basic needs to make sure our students feel safe and comfortable enough to learn while they are with us. MNPS's HERO program is about far more than just making sure the educational setting is not disrupted - it's about making sure families and students have the resources they need to succeed, not just survive.
MNPS Social Worker
Our Impact in the Community
For over ten years we have been serving Nashville’s students and their families. In that time we have:
33,000+
Over ten years we have served over 33,000 HERO students – from school clothing and shoes to assistance navigating immediate needs related to housing insecurity. This is in addition to thousands of other students served by in-school UniCycle Closets!
250
School and Community Collection Partners who we work with to keep our shelves stocked.
168,000
Items of clothing that have been distributed to students through the UniCycle Program to date.
Our Programs
Nashville Community Connections programming is at the heart of how we work. It connects the dots to meet real and immediate needs not readily available in our community. Every family is different, and our team and close collaboration with MNPS and the HERO Program allows us to uncover and offer solutions to the specific challenges that each family faces. Together, we get families the resources they need to achieve the stability we all deserve. Discover more and how you can support the various initiatives below!
UniCycle School Clothing Program
HERO Family Fund
HERO Pantry
Family Fuel Fund
Housewarming
Hygiene Essentials
School Supplies
Shoe Connection
How to Help Us Support Students
There are many easy ways you can make sure a child can start their day ready to learn. Click below to learn more.
Donate Funds
Give to the HERO Family Fund where funds can be used thriftily to purchase new underwear and critically-needed items that are running low, so we are always stocked.
Donate Items
Drop off gently used school clothing, shoes, new socks or underwear at one of more than 100 UniCycle collection points throughout Nashville. See the list below to find the best location for you.
Host a Drive
Many of the items we need to support families are easy and fun to collect! Check out our Host a Drive page for ideas and info, but we also love new ideas!
Looking for a summer activity that is fun, easy and supports Nashville students in unstable housing?
Our new website makes it simple (and fun) to do good! The "Host a Drive" page is easy to navigate and includes all you need to know about hosting a drive for the things we need to help students to be prepared for school in August.
We welcome efforts big and small - this is an excellent summer activity ☀️ that helps the community in a real and immediate way!
Visit nashvillecommunityconnections.org/host-a-drive/ to get started today!
#NCC #Community #HostADrive
Exciting news!💙 We are thrilled to unveil the website for Nashville Community Connections, making it easier than ever to learn all about our work, our programs and how you can get involved⭐
Discover everything our new site has to offer at https://zurl.co/s7WQS
#NashvilleCommunity #Website #NCC
We work with students and organizations who support them all year, and know that summertime provides a challenge for many of the families we serve when it comes to mealtime.
Visit our stories highlight at @mnps_hero to see several places where school meal replacement is available in Nashville.
#SummerMealPrograms #Tennessee #NCC
Did you know that there’s a Summer Drop Spot for @unicycle.nashville at @fidonashville?! Donate new or gently used school clothing items and we’ll get them to a Nashville student in need in time for back-to-school. 🎒👕👟 Learn more and see other summer drop spots with the pinned post on our page!
#nashvillecommunityconnections #unicycle #donate #nashville #philanthropy
Do you have “outgrown, not worn out” school clothing donations for our @unicycle.nashville program? 🩳👕There are plenty of summer drop spots to get items out of your house and onto their shelves this summer! Look to @margaretmaddoxymca and @greenhillsfamilyymca in June, @fidonashville and @bongoeast in June and July, @bellevue.family.ymca in July and @sequoiaswimandtennis all summer! Don’t forget the usual UniCycle community drop spots at @elitemartialartsbellevue @hillwoodpc @danceinbloom and @nashvillebaseballacademy 🤝💙
Girl Scouts do s`more than just selling cookies - they are community heroes!
Three dedicated Girl Scouts from Troop #1445 recently completed their Silver Award Project in collaboration with the HERO team. As part of their initiative, they created custom care bags filled with essential items for girls, which were distributed through the program.
We are so proud of these girls for their hard work and dedication to serving their local Nashville community!
@fleetfeetnashville @crcmidtn @jclaxnashville @michele_steiner_harrell @heatherpowell615 @gsmidtn
#CommunityService #GirlScouts #HERO
What is a McKinney-Vento student (also locally referred to as HERO students in Nashville)?
At HERO, we work to provide necessary resources, supports and referrals to help homeless children and youth to be successful in school and have a positive school experience💙
Learn all about who classifies as a HERO student and how you can help today at https://zurl.co/gblHD
Let’s unbox these amazing custom care bags made by Girl Scout Troop 1445 ❤️ These are filled with essential items for girls navigating unstable housing. Thank you SO much to these girls for their hard work and service to our community and our HERO Program🫶🏻
#nashvillecommunity #girlscouts #nashville
