Restore Hope

09/04/2026

With the Human Flourishing Initiative recently launching in Shelby County, it is important that the community stays reminded of the resources available.

Dr. Ed Stephens, III of the West Tennessee Governor’s Community and Faith-Based Initiative (GCFBI) knows that Shelby County needs not two, not three, but ONE state team with one goal in mind: moving Tennessee individuals and families from silos to flourishing.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County

09/03/2026

Karen Phillips, our Chief Operations Officer, recently joined state leaders, child welfare experts, policymakers, and national organizations in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for the CSG South Policy Masterclass: Building Better Outcomes: Strengthening Systems Through Informed and Collaborative State Leadership.

The three-day gathering focused on one of the most important conversations happening across the country: how states can strengthen outcomes for children and families through collaboration, prevention, judicial partnerships, and effective public policy.

Karen was honored to serve as a panelist alongside Adrian Lewis, president of CarePortal and Adrienne Elder with Restore OKC during the session, "Prevention-Focused Community Models: Strategies that Support Safe and Stable Families.” Karen shared how the Restore Hope Model helps communities coordinate across sectors, align existing resources, and create measurable outcomes for families.

We're grateful for opportunities like this to learn alongside national leaders, share national work, and continue building partnerships that help more communities move from crisis to stability and flourish.

Special thank you to The Council of State Governments and Casey Family Programs!

Mischa Martin

09/02/2026

"This is not about politics. This is not program. This is about People."

Commissioner Deniece Thomas of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development knows that being short of resources means being short of time in the community.

Families in Shelby County don’t need to have to beg several others for the resources they need. The Human Flourishing Initiative will provide a better way.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about our people.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County

09/01/2026

Helping veterans overcome barriers to employment takes a coordinated community.

This week, Deanna Walderns and Taylor Thomas of the Pulaski County team had the opportunity to present about the 10:33 Initiative at the JVSG State Veterans Conference. They shared how the 10:33 Initiative and 100 Families model bring partners together to identify barriers, coordinate care, and connect veterans with the resources they need to move from crisis to stability and meaningful employment.

100 Families Initiative of Pulaski County

08/31/2026

🚨 Last Chance to Register! 🚨

Join leaders from child welfare, education, healthcare, workforce, faith communities, government, business, and nonprofits as we explore what's possible when communities move beyond referrals and work together to create lasting change.

The Restore Hope Conference is an opportunity to learn from proven collaborative models, hear from national and local leaders, and leave equipped with practical strategies to strengthen your own community.

📅 Registration closes TODAY!

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible gathering.

Learn more and register here: https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference

08/28/2026

Literacy is a foundation for human flourishing.

Today’s conversation in Franklin County brought community leaders and partners together to look at the far-reaching impact of literacy across every stage of life.

From education and employment to family stability, economic mobility, and involvement with the justice system, literacy can shape the opportunities available to individuals and families.

We’re grateful for everyone who came together for this important cross-sector conversation and for the partners working every day to strengthen literacy, expand opportunity, and build stronger communities.

100 Families Initiative of Johnson and Franklin County

08/27/2026

Lasting human flourishing requires communities working together to create pathways to opportunity, dignity, and economic mobility.

At the Restore Hope Conference, the Beyond Survival: Pathways to Human Flourishing panel will explore what it takes to build systems that help families move beyond crisis and toward lasting stability.

Hear from:
• Kristi Putnam, Senior Fellow, Cicero Institute
• Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Human Services
• Heather Edwards, Director of Community Success, Restore Hope

Register before August 31st! https://www.restorehope.io/2026conference



Tennessee Department of Human Services

08/27/2026

Paul Chapman was a guest on the Army of Normal Folk podcast to talk about the power of collective impact and how communities can transform outcomes when organizations work together instead of in silos. The conversation explores coordinated care, shared outcomes, and why collaboration is the key to helping children and families flourish.

🎙️ Watch the full episode here:

A family in crisis shouldn't have to figure out which agency to cal...

08/26/2026

The faith community has a role to play in producing lasting change for communities.

The Faith in Action panel will explore how congregations are turning compassion into coordinated care and practical ways churches can plug into community-wide collaboration. Together, we'll discuss how faith communities can help create a true "no wrong door" approach, connecting individuals and families to the support they need while strengthening partnerships across the community.

We're honored to welcome:
• Ben O'Dell, Senior Advisor, HHS Center for Faith
• Morgan Warbington, Director, Arkansas Governor's Faith-Based Initiatives
• Greg Baker, Founding Director, Church Ambassador Network

Join us as we explore the vital role faith leaders play in building stronger, more connected communities where every family has the opportunity to flourish.

08/26/2026

Dr. Sha Fanion of Agape Child & Family Services knows that growth is needed in order for Tennessee to thrive.

HopeHub will allow Shelby County community leaders to move beyond guesswork and see whether progress is being made, giving insights into the progress of families participating in the Human Flourishing Initiative. From housing to employment to education, this model will ensure that families move from crisis to stability, and beyond.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County TN Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative