Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Mitchell.
Hi Liz, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Founded in 2005, FrankTown Open Hearts was originally established to serve children in the inner-city communities of Franklin, TN. Because Franklin and Williamson County are recognized as one of the most affluent areas in the state of Tennessee, most people don’t even realize public housing developments exist in this area. This results in the residents, and particularly the youth, being underserved with regards to social and academic resources. In the last twenty years, FrankTown Open Hearts has grown exponentially, backed and supported by the greater Williamson County community. We now serve over eighty families with after school care that allows our students to receive academic tutoring while also learning new things like woodworking, automotive care, sewing, crafting, karate, culinary skills, and much more. We purpose to provide our students with support that allows them to thrive academically, socially, spiritually, and physically. Each week our students are fed each of the four nights they are in attendance, which works out to over fifty meals each semester.
Our students also get to experience the world outside of Franklin, taking local trips to colleges such as Lipscomb University, Nashville State Community College, Harding University, MTSU, and more. They can also earn reward trips by making good grades and being consistent with their attendance and responsibilities. Those reward trips may look like a trip to Chuck E Cheese, a theme park, or a big trip for our older students to NYC or a similar place that offers a multitude of cultural experiences we want our students to enjoy.
We spend time, as well, working through Biblical scriptures, teaching and discussing our faith, answering hard questions, and opening a dialogue with our students that it is just as important for their growth as each meal they receive.
I joined FrankTown Open Hearts in March of this year after spending twelve years in classrooms teaching and then an additional ten years managing a local tree care company. As the Finance and Operations Manager, I have the blessing of working behind the scenes to make sure FrankTown runs smoothly. I count myself a hundred times blessed to be part of this amazing ministry. Every day I see how it supports our community as a whole and creates momentum toward a future that is right now held in the palms of some beautiful, tiny hands.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our greatest challenge is our capitol campaign to build a place where we can house this growing ministry. A Home for FrankTown is an active campaign that Williamson County residents (and beyond) graciously and passionately carry on their shoulders. We have land in the city of Franklin and anticipate being able to begin construction very soon. Our plan is to be in our new home in 2027. We have a long way to go with both capitol and construction, but we can’t wait to see our dream realized. With our own space, we can expand the programs we offer and perhaps most importantly, increase the number of students we serve. We do not only want to continue serving as we are, we want to serve more, serve better, and serve higher as we help our students achieve each goal they set.
Another challenge we face is feeding our students. We rely on volunteers to make a meal and then serve it to our students four evenings per week. It’s a lot to ask and we know that. But filling up their stomachs with wholesome, delicious food is vital in being able to support their minds and hearts with our other activities. They come to us hungry in all kinds of ways and we want to meet their needs every single time they walk through the door. We need more food service volunteers! We know sometimes a homecooked meal is not possible. Picking it up and bringing it perfectly acceptable. But your smiling face greeting the kids and your hands filling their plates is a blessing not only to them, but to you as well. It just requires a YES, I’LL BE THERE!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am also a Christian Fiction Suspense writer. Through Liz Mitchell Fiction, I have two books available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and Audible formats: Like the Ocean Moves and Sound the Alarm. Both books take place on the battleground between the physical and spiritual realms, tackling in their plots human trafficking, sin and redemption, spiritual warfare, love and loss, and the undeniable, unshakeable truth of the Kingdom of God present among us and our place in it.
Working for FrankTown Open Hearts is a job I love coming to each day. But my greatest passion is writing books.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The FrankTown Open Hearts team bench is deep! The core group includes our executive director, Chris Barnhill, whose vision and heart for this ministry drives us forward in ever greater successes, our Director of Community Relations and Transportation, Raymond Waymon, Jr., our Director of Programming Logistics, Nicole McIntyre, and our Senior Director of Programming, Janell Fadler. But they aren’t the only ones! Some of our staff members have been working with our students for years, mentoring them and helping them grow from tiny Kindergarteners to graduates on their way to higher education or into the work force. They’re steadfast and loyal and deserve huge recognition for the hard work they do. Our board of directors meets each month to review every penny and every event so that we know we are operating efficiently and at our most beneficial. But I can’t let a shout out go by without giving one to our volunteers. Daily, weekly, monthly, annually, they step up to help with events, tutoring, mentoring, running errands, and perhaps most importantly, cooking and serving meals. FrankTown really is a “town” of people who purpose to show the love of Jesus Christ in action!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://franktownopenhearts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franktownopenhearts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franktownoh
- Other: https://lizmitchellfiction.wordpress.com
