Humane Education can be defined as education that promotes compassion, empathy, and respect for all living beings. It encompasses the intersection of people, animals, and our shared environment. Participants will learn how to build confidence, gain trust and teach dogs basic cues through the power of positive reinforcement and the human-animal bond.

OPN Community Classes are open to ALL Current and Waiting List residents. If you are not on the waiting list but would like to sign up for just the classes, please contact us. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

The MAPS program is a relatively new opportunity for those who either do not qualify for ECF Choices or who are on the waiting list for that service. MAPS is a 3-year program that allows for services and supports that help our residents gain independence and reach their goals.

Here is a note about this event from DDA:

Attached is a flyer for an upcoming Virtual Stakeholder Information Session, where participants will learn about MAPs as it enters its third year of providing vital services and supports to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The results thus far have been significant, and we are excited to announce and see our capacity to expand from serving approximately 600 participants to over 1,200.  We are actively looking to grow this program and offer these unique services across the state!

This session will not only increase awareness about the MAPs program but also provide a platform for questions and answers. Key staff from the Department of Disabilities and Aging (DDA) will be present to provide insights and answer any questions participants may have.

For more information, please refer to the DDA MAPs Website.

Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs)

Renowned songwriter Roger Cook is spearheading his third benefit concert for Our Place Nashville with a few of his closest friends. Performing in an intimate songwriters in the round at 3rd & Lindsley, the talent includes Roger (You've Got Your Troubles, Here Comes that Rainy Day Feeling Again, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing), Pat Alger (Unanswered Prayers, The Thunder Rolls), Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman (What Mattered Most, This is the Night), Dickey Lee (She Thinks I Still Care), Earl Bud Lee (Friends in Low Places), Richard Leigh (Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Life's Highway), Billy Prine (A Place I Used to Know), and Leslie Satcher (Troubador).

Doors open at 6:00 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm. General Admission tickets are $20, VIP package is $200. You can buy tickets on the 3rd & Lindsley website here. Come early, get a good seat, order some dinner, and relax before the show starts!

If you’re interesting in being a sponsor, please contact Carolyn Naifeh.

Join MPDP Community Dance sponsored by The Rochelle Center for a day of fun, music, and St. Paddy's Day Shenanigans. Register here.

Tap into your artistic side during this hands-on art and nature workshop. Participants will create a one-of-a-kind collage with guidance from the Nashville Collage Collective. Please register for the event before attending.

Registration opens February 28; email wpnc@nashville.gov to register.

Disability Day on the Hill is your chance to unite as the Tennessee disability community and engage in the legislative process. As a part of DDH 2025, Tennessee Disability Coalition are hosting statewide virtual and in-person events in Nashville and at the State Capitol. The theme for DDH 2025 is "Liberty. Not Limits." This theme means that having a disability should not limit your liberty to live a life of your choosing. Mark your calendars for DDH 2025.

On March 11th, people with disabilities from accross the state will descend upon the capitol and meet with their legislators to discuss the issues important to them. Click here to learn more.

There’s a lot of misconceptions and confusion when it comes to dating, sex, and sexual health. Relationship and Sex Educator Clay Porter will be stopping by to talk about being safe in dating and sex. He will cover consent, STI’s, birth control, and all the uncomfortable things you want to know but were too embarrassed to ask. Bring your awkward questions!

Our Place Nashville’s Family Group meets virtually the first Tuesday of the month. This group is for families of Friendship House resident friends and for the families of individuals on Our Place Nashville’s waiting list. Organizers will send you the link by email in advance of the meeting.

This evening’s focus will be on “Getting and Keeping Social Security Benefits for Neurodiverse Adults: What Happens to their Benefits when They Get a Job, etc.” Lawyer Peter Skeie who will facilitate the evening’s discussion is a specialist in Social Security disability law.

For more information on this OPN Family Group meeting, contact OPN Family Group co-chair, John Bers.

Join CD Paddock from Shelby Parks to learn about the nature programs offered in your area. CD will answer the question, “What is seed saving?” OPN Community Classes are open to ALL Current and Waiting List residents.

If you are not on the waiting list but would like to sign up for just the classes, please contact us. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Join AutismTN for a few hours of fun and games! Game Day is a great opportunity to make friends in a relaxed environment.  They'll have a variety of games to play, including classic favorites like Connect4 and Scrabble, as well as newer games like Catan. Light refreshments are provided.

Game Day is appropriate for children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. Parents/caregivers and siblings may join too. Bring a friend or come and make new ones – everyone is welcome! 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashley Lira-Rivera. You can register here. The venue is near Rose Park; specifics will be provided after you register. The next Game Days are scheduled for February 1 and March 1.

For fans of AutismTN’s “Catch-A-Match,” Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh of My Best Social Life as will share five practical steps to boost confidence, navigate social settings, and build relationships that can lead to friendships, dates, and more.

Research shows that when Autistic individuals come together, the sense of community sparks personal growth, emotional well-being, and social inclusion (Watts et al., 2024). Join AutismTN for this presentation and Q&A session to experience the magic of connection!

Mike Helms from Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is joining us for a community presentation on Deaf culture, how to support our Deaf or Hard of Hearing friends, and information about American Sign Language! There will also be time for a Q&A from our residents. This class will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Deaf community, so please join us! OPN Community Classes are open to ALL Current and Waiting List residents. If you are not on the waiting list but would like to sign up for just the classes, please contact us.

Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Join the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program for a Community Day at The Belcourt Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 am and the movie will begin promptly at 10:00 am. This event is for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.  There is no cost to attend this movie, however you must have a ticket to attend. 

The movie title will be available the week before the showing, please call the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program office for the movie selection.

For questions about this event or any Metro Parks disABILITIES Programs, please email Glen Adkins or call the Metro Parks disABILITIES office at 615-862-8489. You can register here for your free ticket after February 19.

There will be MPDP staff onsite to help facilitate the activity/event, but it is not the staff’s responsibility to care for individuals participating in Community Days. 

What’s a Photo SLAM?

It’s like a poetry slam but for photographers! You’ll have 3 minutes to showcase up to 5 of your best photos in front of an enthusiastic audience. Are you a photographer—amateur or professional—ready to share your creativity and stories?

Join AbleVoices at its headquarters in Brentwood for an unforgettable evening of photography and fun! This Year’s Theme: SUPER PHUN! Capture the moments that make you smile, laugh, and feel alive! Whether it’s your favorite hobby, a thrilling adventure, or cherished memories, we want to see the joy through your lens.

Ticket information is available here. Venue has free parking. Appetizers and drinks will be providers.

Project SEARCH at VUMC is hosting a virtual information night on Wednesday, February 19th, from 7:30pm-8:30pm over Zoom (flyer attached above).  This meeting is for anyone who is interested in participating in the Project SEARCH at VUMC program for the 2025-2026 program year.  The Zoom link and meeting ID is listed below:

Topic: Project SEARCH Virtual Open House Feb. 19th

Time: Feb 19, 2025 07:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82422642501?pwd=mrUEsbLC8gamWjbCoAnzmFJ2cNNvFb.1

Meeting ID: 824 2264 2501

Passcode: 290132

For more information, contact Brandon Pflug.

Join AutismTN UAI for an In-Person Special Event: Introduction to SoulCollage®. Through a playful creative process, make your own cards that have the potential to connect you to self-discovery and provide personal guidance. Trained SoulCollage® facilitator and UAI Community Member Lesley Patterson-Marx will guide you in this expressive collage art practice wherein images and glue are transformed into your own deck of 5”x8” cards infused with personal meaning that can help you navigate life’s questions.

You don’t have to be an artist to make these wonderful cards in this introduction to a process that is both powerful and a lot of fun.

Soul Collage, founded by therapist Seena B. Frost, is a practice that can be done individually or in community. In this brief introduction to the many possibilities of SoulCollage®, you will create a card, and learn what it means to “speak” from your cards, sharing their meaning with fellow workshop participants in a nurturing, supportive environment.

You can register for this event here. Venue details will be provided after registration.

People First Tennessee is a grassroots membership disability rights group led by self-advocates with the goal of empowering people with disabilities to have voices in addressing issues of equality. If you are interested in advocating for yourself and other members of the disability community, then this meeting is for you. The Middle Tennessee chapter meets virtually every third Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. For more information, contact Rion Humphries at rhumphries@thearctn.org.

AutismTN's Unveiling Autistic Identity community group provides a welcoming space for adults who are discovering their Autistic identity later in life. As professional and public understanding of autism continues to improve, many people are becoming aware that they are Autistic in adulthood, either through a professional diagnosis or self-identification, often as a result of seeking mental health support or when their children are diagnosed.

This group fosters inclusive and supportive conversation and connection for late-identified Autistic people to share experiences and offer mutual support, explore their newfound identity and examine what it means for their lives, share in the self-discovery process, and empower each other to embrace their Autistic identity and become self-advocates.

This group typically meets on Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. CT.  You can register here.

The next dates are March 13, April 10, May 1, and June 5. If you have questions about Unveiling Autistic Identity, please contact Casey Davis, Adult Program Director.

Our Place Nashville’s own Jordan Heykoop will walk our friends through the ever important life skill that is slime creation. Jordan will demonstrate how to make slime and explain why the ingredients interact the way they do. The slime is a tactile experience that can help with emotional regulation.

NOTE: No slime will be dumped on anyone’s head.

If you are not on the waiting list but would like to sign up for just the classes, please contact us. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Do you love to cook? Are you just learning to cook? Are you looking for new recipes? Are you looking for somewhere to learn how to cook? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then join MetroParks on Zoom every 2nd and 4th Monday at 5:00pm for a fun cooking experience.

Pam (a participant in the Day Programs) & her mother (Mary) lead the group in cooking a variety of foods. Recipe cards are sent out in advance including the list of needed ingredients. Then the group meets on Zoom to prepare the foods together.

For questions, comments, or concerns please contact Glen Adkins at golden.adkins@nashville.gov or call our offices at 615-862-8489.

Metro Parks disABILITIES Program will be hosting a community dance for Valentine’s Day thanks to support by the Rochelle Center. Join MPDP for a night of fun, music, and dancing with friends!

Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Our Annual Super Bowl Party is back! We will be at the FH5 Community room with anyone who likes football, commercials, the half-time show, or just Taylor Swift cameos! This event is for all current resident friends as well as those on the waiting list. Please bring a side to share. For more info, contact Gavin.

The ABLE National Resource Center will host a webinar on filing taxes with an ABLE account. This webinar will provide updates and strategies to help ABLE account owners maximize their savings and investments in 2025 and beyond. Topics include:

• Explore the latest ABLE plan features through ABLE NRC's comparison tools

• Use three ABLE provisions to your advantage by learning best practices for using Qualified Tuition Programs, ABLE to Work and the Saver's Credit

• Plan with tax filing strategies for 2025

• Gain insights on federal tax credits, deductions and tax filing programs

• Learn the importance of filing taxes, even if you are not required to file Do not miss this opportunity to enhance your financial future with ABLE! 

Click here to learn more.

Our Place Nashville’s Family Group meets virtually the first Tuesday of the month. This group is for families of Friendship House resident friends and for the families of individuals on Our Place Nashville’s waiting list. Organizers will send you the link by email in advance of the meeting.

This evening’s focus will be on the latest developments in enabling technology for neurodiverse adults, with special emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence. Milton Neuenschwander, the State Director of Enabling Technology for the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging’s Division of Program Innovation, will be the evening’s facilitator.

Enabling Technology is an innovative way to support people within their home, around their community, and at their work to become more self-sufficient using various off-the-shelf and customized devices, person-centered methods, and remote support technology solutions.   Enabling Technology is defined as equipment and/or methodologies that, alone or in combination with associated technologies, provide the means to support individuals’ increased independence in their homes, communities, and/or workplaces. When utilized in a person-centered manner, these technologies have a substantial influence on how Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) can assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a more natural, non-segregated environment in order to promote independence, personal development, and additional opportunities for self-determination.  

The Enabling Technology Program is available to any person already enrolled in 1915(c) waivers, Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES, or CHOICES long-term services and supports programs.  

For more information on this OPN Family Group meeting, contact OPN Family Group co-chair, John Bers.

Bow a fiddle, pluck a banjo, and strum a ukulele! Nicki Mortland from the Country Music Hall of Fame will join us for a Musical Instrument Petting Zoo that will offer our friends a chance to try new and familiar instruments. Nicki will teach us about each instrument and offer guidance as everyone tries their hand at all the instruments at the zoo! OPN Community Classes are open to ALL Current and Waiting List residents.

If you are not on the waiting list but would like to sign up for just the classes, please contact us. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Join the Metro Parks’ disABILITIES Program for their inclusive spin class during Sportsplex day programming the first and third Wednesday of February: February 5, 19, and 27.

In March, the class will meet on March 5, 19, and 27.

For more information, call the MPDP office at 615-862-8489.

Our weekly American Sign Language classes start back up today after a holiday hiatius. We have a half-dozen students, all residents from our various Friendship House communities. Participants are terrific at encouraging each other when struggling to remember how to spell or sign a word, and are especially motivated with Marley as a classmate. One of our newer residents, Marley, is deaf and lights up when other Friendship House residents speak his language.

The class is led by Marsha James, a Washington, DC-based television producer who studied ASL at the renowned Gallaudet University, the global leader in education for deaf and hard of hearing students.

The class meets on Zoom. If you’re interested in joining the class, please contact Carolyn Naifeh.

Join the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program for a Community Day at The Belcourt Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 am and the movie will begin promptly at 10:00 am. This event is for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.  There is no cost to attend this movie, however you must have a ticket to attend. 

The movie title will be available the week before the showing, please call the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program office for the movie selection.

For questions about this event or any Metro Parks disABILITIES Programs, please email Glen Adkins or call the Metro Parks disABILITIES office at 615-862-8489. You can register here for your free ticket.

There will be MPDP staff onsite to help facilitate the activity/event, but it is not the staff’s responsibility to care for individuals participating in Community Days. 

Join AutismTN's Unveiling Autistic Identity community group in visiting the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.

After the museum visit, group members can join for an optional lunch at Assembly Food Hall: https://www.assemblyfoodhall.com/. (Everyone will pay for their own lunches.)

Unveiling Autistic Identity (UAI) member tickets are all taken. But AutismTN has added the option of purchasing your own museum ticket if finances allow so that more members of this group can attend the tour. If you offer to purchase your own ticket, you will select "Pay my Own Way" and choose from the ticket types.

Group ticket prices (including the $5 technology fee) are as follows:

Adults (18-64) @27.50 each

Senior (65+) @21.50 each

Military @ $21.50 each

College Students @ $16.50 each

Educators @ $16.50 each

The Unveiling Autistic Identity (UAI) community group provides a welcoming space for adults who are discovering their Autistic identity later in life. If you have questions about UAI or this event, please contact Casey Davis, the UAI Facilitator.

Friendship House 6 will soon be open, but there’s a few finishing touches that are still needed. Join us on January 20th to paint a brand new mural in the community room at Friendship House 6. Painters of all skill levels are welcome. Painters of all skill levels are welcome. Local artist Andee Rudloff will provide the outline and guide you in filling the space to adorn the wall of Friendship House 6.

For more information, contact Gavin Dillinger.