On Sunday mornings, special needs buddies provide support, allowing our friends to be engaged either in their age-appropriate ministry and/or our Special Needs Ministry area.
We offer support at the 9:30 & 11:00 AM service times.
Embrace Community is a weekday program for adults with disabilities in the Middle Tennessee region.
Our goal is to enrich the lives of those impacted by disability by fostering community through recreational and leisure activities.
We currently meet from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM on Monday–Thursday. Volunteers assist the teachers by engaging friends in class activities.
We partner with Williamson County’s Young Life Capernaum (YLC) to host “Club” nights.
YLC is a fun, high-energy outreach ministry that serves high school students with developmental and intellectual disabilities across Williamson County.
Twice a month, they have “Club” where they share a meal, sing songs, play fun games, and hear about how the God of the universe loves them and wants to be in relationship with them.
Throughout the rest of the month, YLC has caring adult volunteer leaders who seek to build relationships with these adolescents and help them walk in their faith.
We partner with Enrich for Life to host their Faith Friends Bible Study for adults with special needs.
Led by Cyndy Muirhead and Allison Bender, the group uses Lifeway’s Access curriculum as they study the Bible together, pray, and engage in other fun activities.
We provide respite events to engage those impacted by disability in various fellowship and fun activities while their family enjoys a much-needed break.
We start the event off by sharing a meal with the volunteers before welcoming the families.
Some options for service include supplying the volunteer meal, rotating through the activities with the attendees, or leading an activity as part of the rotation (music, dance, art, games, etc.).
Buddies can join friends with special needs at camps, retreats, mission trips, or any other catalyst events with Kids and Student Ministry.
During these events, buddies would help their friends meaningfully engage with their peers during the activities.
We require our volunteers to be age 13 and older to volunteer independently. Family serving starts at age 10 and requires that parents/guardians serve with them on a 1 child to 1 parent ratio.
Before volunteering, all volunteers ages 13 and older must complete the Volunteer Application and Ministry Safe Training. All adult volunteers, ages 18 and older, will need to also have a clear background check. We will work with you to complete all necessary items to ensure the safety of our participants while getting you in to serve as quickly as possible.
We have dedicated volunteers who buddy weekly, every other week, or once per quarter. Your attendance is based on your own availability and preference.
