Stories in Nashville:

Uplifting Voices Through Story-Telling and Community Relations

Everett Program x Inspiritus of Middle Tennessee

Project Overview

In collaboration with the social service non-profit organization Inspiritus, our team implemented community relationship building with underrepresented voices in the Buena Vista neighborhood of Nashville. Our team sought to amplify personal stories within the community through video interviews. Additionally, we sought to highlight the impact of Inspiritus' existing services while also collecting feedback to create programs that better serve the community. We also fulfilled these goals by collaborating with Inspiritus to throw a Meet-Your-Neighbor gathering entitled "Inspire the Block" by showcasing Inspiritus' services and surveying members. During this gathering, we were able to provide free food, art and school supplies, and other resources to the community. Overall, in our effort to uplift community voices while practicing project sustainability, we conducted surveys, video interviews, and coordinated "Inspire the Block."

Meet the Team

Yuvisela Munoz

she/her -4th year- Sociology w/ GISES

Interest incude non-profit work, immigrants rights, education, and solidarity economics.

Mariana Marino

she/her - 2nd year - Sociology w/ GISES

Interests include non-profit work, giving back to the community, cooking, painting, and creating.

Nicolette Xepoleas

she/they - 3rd year- Psychology

Interests include LGBTQ+ rights, cooking and sailing. Aspires to be a therapist.

Project Deliverables

Video Interviews

Each member of our team was able to take turns filming interviews. We we able to capture the voices of over 15 community members who use Inspiritus services as well as the Inspiritus staff. The video above is a glimpse of those interviews. This video was created by team member Nicolette Xeopelas.

Feedback

The feedback portion of our deliverables was the least substantial, but equally important. We were able to gather 37 responses through a google survey. Many community members were able to express their satisfaction with Inspiritus services and many voiced their opinions about different services Inspiritus can provide.

"Inspire the Block"

Meet-Your-Neighbor Gathering

Our event took place July 31, 2022 in Nashville Tennesse. We showcased Inspiritus services as well as the organizations 50forward and Corner to Corner. Inspiritus also provided an info sheet with a description of each service. We showcased Thrive Studios through an interactive art show, Building Healthy Gardens and Inspiritus food pantry through the on-site garden and pantry, and were able to explain what Building Healthy Families is about through the info sheet and word of mouth. In addition to this, we provided free meals, free school supplies, and raffle prizes.

Project Outcomes

We were able to gather 148 people to come together, share a meal, learn about Inspiritus resources, other local resources, and receive free school supplies and raffle prizes. We were also able to conduct over 15 interviews with local community members and staff. As of now, our team has created a few recap videos of the event and the interviews filmed. Inspiritus will be able to use this footage to share the voices of the people they serve and create promotional content to continue to expand their impact. The feedback we gathered also gave Inspiritus an idea of what they are currently doing well and what the community needs from them.

Project Impact / Survey Results

"Inspire the Block" Gathering Impact

Inspiritus Satisfaction Survey Results Highlights

Overall, how satisfied are you with the services you receive from Inspiritus?

74 % - Very Satisfied 23% - Satisfied 3% - Very Unsatisfied

Inspiritus' goal is to support you on your path from surviving to thriving. How do you rate yourself on this path? Thriving being a 10 and surviving being a 1.

43%-10 11%-9 22%-8 5%-7 5%-6 3%-5 3%-4 3%-3 5%-2 0%-1

How could Inspiritus improve our services to the community?

"More activities for the old and sick"

"Provide school supplies for kids"

"Healthier food in the pantry with less sodium"

"More youth programs"

Project Milestones

Initially, the Everrett team planned to canvas the Buena Vista neighborhood in Nashville and pass out pamphlets detailing some of the history of the community and ways to get involved in the work Inspiritus is doing. During the canvassing, we were also meant to collect demographic information and talk to residents about what kind of services they would like to see. Due to time constraints and limited knowledge, the team settled on filming interviews with the community and gathering information about the people's needs through google surveys during the event. This plan felt much more authentic with the skills and knowledge our team had. We spoke to a lot fewer people but got to create genuine relationships. Something our team feels we would not have gotten if we focused on door-knocking and leaving pamphlets at people's doors.

Lessons Learned

Heads

Our team had the opportunity to increase our understanding and see the effects of gentrification within Nashville.

Hands

We learned how to conduct video interviews and edit videos and sound. As well as practice our digital design skills through the creation of flyers.

Hearts

We learned to come in with open ears and welcoming hearts. We were also able to explore our positionality as college students working in outside communities.

Testimonies

Janet Arning, Regional Director for the Middle Tennessee Region

“The interviews will be a great tool for us to showcase the work of Inspiritus through the eyes of those using our services and participating in our programs.”

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