Our Model
The Restoration House (TRH) helps restore single mothers and their children back to God’s good intent for their lives. Engaging a whole family approach of interconnected supports, TRH collaborates with families in the areas of housing and community life, family advocacy, and enrichment programs.
Housing and Community Life
At The Restoration House we desire all families to experience an environment conducive to growth, engagement & collaboration. This begins when a family moves into The Village, a restorative community of twenty-four 2, 3, & 4 bedroom units.
At The Village, not only will each family move into their own apartment but they will get to take part in Community Life that includes engaging in pot luck community gatherings, participating in numerous community events, as well as finding opportunities to connect and engage with their neighbors.
Moms who are on the Village Lead Team practice “hands-on” leadership in the community while going through a leadership cohort together. The Lead Team plans and facilitates community meetings and events and helps their neighbors navigate community life through intentional connections and activities. During this time, staff also pour into the Village Lead Team through training on leadership, special speakers from the greater Knoxville community, and through group book discussions.
Family Advocacy
The Restoration House’s family advocacy approach emphasizes holistic support for families through collaboration in goal setting, and resource connection as they work towards the unique hopes and dreams that each family has for their lives.
Family Advocates collaborate with parents, helping them establish and achieve goals in focus areas including family stability, well-being, financial management, education, and income improvement.
School aged youth engage with our Youth Advocates and other youth support staff through our On Belay after school and summer youth program. Through goal-setting and community building, youth in the On Belay program are encouraged to grow into confident and inspiring leaders, while understanding the importance of overcoming setbacks in their journey. After-school and summer initiatives and activities promote holistic growth for each child to become all they are intended to be.
Our littlest family members, from 6 weeks to 5 years old, are supported through Olive Tree Early Learning Academy.
Olive Tree Early Learning Academy, our latest TRH initiative, provides high-quality early education and childcare, ensuring a solid educational foundation for children while supporting parents.
Focused on maintaining connections with families who have graduated from TRH, our Alumni Engagement Program provides ongoing support, community engagement opportunities, and leadership development.
Enrichment
With an emphasis on the holistic well-being of the whole family, our Enrichment Program supports families in mental, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual well-being. Through our partnership with Harmony Family Center, families at TRH engage in therapeutic support focused on their mental and emotional well-being. Moms and youth engage in individual therapy, addressing any past trauma and gaining valuable tools for mental and emotional well-being. Some families access family therapy and/or parent coaching as well.
Harmony staff also facilitate our core enrichment classes of Parenting and Relationships. These classes take place at Cokesbury Church through our partnership with The Connection Center.
Moms at TRH also participate in two other core enrichment classes at The Connection Center, Faith and Finances, led by a TRH graduate, and Homeownership/Next Step Housing Preparation Class led by Home Source. Both of these classes are intended to support moms with their economic mobility and financial goals.
As whole beings, it’s important to also remember our physical well-being. Through our partnership with the YMCA families and staff are able to engage in physical health based opportunities at any of their Knoxville locations.
Intentional design has also been used in creating outdoor amenities for both children of all ages at The Village. This includes a preschool playground and a larger playground for older children. There is also, a basketball and 4-square court. A walking path for the whole family goes around the entire Village property, providing opportunities for walking or jogging.
Also, all moms at TRH will be connected with an Ally Team made up of 2-3 individuals. Volunteer Ally Teams focus on relational and spiritual well-being for families at TRH.
Other focused relational connections happen through Community Events put on by the Village Lead Team and the Annual Mom’s Retreat where moms and select TRH staff get away to rest, renew, and recharge as women.
