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 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.

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.

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!

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.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Dietetic Internship Program and Our Place Nashville are partnering for a seventh year with dietetic interns teaching Friendship House residents about cooking — how to make it easy, tasty, healthy, and inexpensive.

The classes are among our most popular and are earmarked for Friendship House residents; if there’s enough room, individuals on our waiting list are welcome.

This class for the spring semester will meet at Friendship House FIVE. Please let Ashley Matthews know if you plan to come and she will reserve a spot for you.

Metro Parks’ disABILITIES Program will again host 2 bowling leagues this Spring.

The first will be held on Tuesdays and will include 10 weeks. Cost for the Tuesday League is $60.00. Tuesday League dates are: January 14, 21, and 28; February 4, 11, 18, and 25; March 4, 18, and 25'; and April 1 and 8.

The bowling league will NOT meet on March 11th

League Bowling will begin at 1:00 pm and last approximately 90 minutes for most lanes. Each week of bowling will include 2 games and free shoe rental. `Please use this form to reserve your spot in the league. Space is available on a first come, first serve basis.

League fees are due no later than the first day of bowling. Checks are preferred and should be made payable to “Strike & Spare”.

Please contact Glen Adkins or Jonathan Shelton by calling the disABILITIES Program Office at 615-862-8489 with any questions, comments, or concerns. You can also email Glen at golden.adkins@nashville.gov. Please get details on the Wednesday bowling league from the MPDP office.

Transportation Policy: It is your responsibility to arrange for transportation home from the lanes by 3:00 pm. MPDP asks that all those riding AccessRide home to please schedule their rides for 2:45-3:00 on Tuesdays & 2:30-3:00 on Wednesdays. In the event you have problems with making that pickup time, please call MPDP immediately. They do not require staff to remain at the lanes past 3:30 pm and appreciate your respecting their time off. They are willing to work with reasonable requests in the event of an emergency.

Ring in the New Year with us and look ahead as we create vison boards for 2025! Led by OPN staff, we will talk about setting realistic goals – long-term and short-term – for the year. Then, we’ll get crafty and make vision boards – a tool to help us visualize our goals and aspirations for 2025! Our Place will provide crafting materials, but feel free to bring old magazines or other art forms you might want to use in creating your own vision board.

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 let us know. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00pm-7:00pm. This class will also have a virtual option for those who are unable to join in person, here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2593782809.

Join MOVE Inclusive Dance as they open the doors to their brand-new Franklin Studio at 1113 Murfreesboro Road, Unit 404, Franklin, TN, 37064! To celebrate, they will be hosting free Sample Classes for all ages and abilities: 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM spots available!

Learn more here.

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 conservatorships and answer the questions that many of us have: What is a conservatorship? When and for whom is it appropriate? What are the types of conservatorships? What are the duties of a conservator? How do you create a conservatorship? 

Attorney Melinda Brown is the facilitator for this meeting. In 2012 she formed Melinda Brown Law, based in Murfreesboro, where she and her Associate Attorney focus on social security disability, conservatorships, probate and estates, trust, and business formation.

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

AutismTN Connect Online Community Group is a welcoming community for Autistic adults (18+). This group typically meets on Zoom on the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. CT. To learn more about Connect, visit https://autismtn.org/connect.

Want to find a new and fun way to stay active or get in shape? Join Metro Parks’ disABILITIES Program and their friends at Title boxing for a non-contact boxing class! Learn about proper boxing technique, get a good workout, and make some new friends! No prior experience needed! This is an inclusive event.

The class is free for all to attend, but you must purchase personal hand wraps which are yours to keep! Hand wraps are $10 and can be purchased from Title Boxing. Please make sure to fill out a wavier before the class and bring it with you. Click here for the waiver.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to McKenzie Mathew or call the MPDP’s office at 615-862-8489.

You can register for this class here. Classes meet every other Friday. The next class is January 17.

December 16th will be the last Monday Nights Class for the Fall semester, with classes to resume in the New Year. Plan on celebrating the jolliness of the holiday season with music, games,, snacks and plenty of camaraderie. There might even be some karaoke with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells,” so come prepared to sing one of your holiday favorites!

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 let us know. Classes are hosted at the Community Room at Friendship House 5 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Contact Ashley Matthews for more information.

Join 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 will be no cost to attend this movie, however you must have a ticket to attend. Reserve your tickets) here.

For questions about this event or any Metro Parks disABILITIES Programs, please email Glen Adkins or call the Metro Parks disABILITIES Program's office at 615-862-8489. The movie title will be available the week before the showing, you can call MPDP's office for the movio selection.

Community Days are programs and/or activities designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend with their caregivers/ staff.

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.

Christmas Eve arrives in Victorian London, but the miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge isn’t having any of it. He’d rather support prisons than feed his own apprentice or celebrate the season. But he will be haunted by a parade of spirits before the sun comes up on Christmas Day, and in their wake, even the coldest heart may yet be changed. This new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story is both a faithful retelling and a fresh turn on a timeless classic, reminding us that our past need not define us, our future is not yet written, and the present is a priceless gift.

Our Place Nashville is holding 20 tickets for Friendship House residents for this exciting new production. If you’d like to attend this play, please contact Carolyn Naifeh to reserve your spot.

One of Our Place Nashville’s good friends — actor Henry O. “Chip” Arnold — will be playing Scrooge and he’ll meet with our group after the play (as soon as he gets out of his costume)!

Some background on this production: Since 2015, A.S. “Pete” Peterson has developed original and re-imagined works of theatre in partnership with Matt Logan. Each of their productions have received glowing reviews from audiences and critics alike. Now, in 2024, and in partnership with Matt Logan Productions, the Rabbit Room is bringing Charles Dickens’s beloved ghost story, A Christmas Carol, to life with an all new adaptation written by Pete Peterson and developed in the Nashville theatre community. They appeared recently on WKRN-TV’s “Local on 2” to talk about A Christmas Carol. You can watch the clip here.

This CONNECT IN-PERSON event has a waitlist, but if you want to try your luck, you can join the waitlist here,

AutismTN Connect is a welcoming community for Autistic adults (18+) to come together and share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The group aims to create a supportive and understanding community where members can feel free to be themselves and express themselves openly and honestly. AutismTN believes everyone has something valuable to contribute, and they welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.

Connect welcomes all autistic people in Middle TN and beyond, including those who are self-diagnosed. The group meets monthly, and they offer a variety of activities and discussions to help members connect with others, learn from one another, and find support and encouragement.

Connect Online typically meets on the first Thursday of each month 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. CT on Zoom. You can register to participate here.

Connect In-Person typically meets on the second Thursday of each month 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. CT in Nashville. You can register for these events here.

If you have any questions about Connect, please contact Casey Davis the Connect Facilitator, at casey@autismtn.org.