To assist women and women with children experiencing homelessness find their next step to healing and stability through the love of Jesus Christ.
In 2022, we served 209 women and 79 children providing...
1,542
Loads of Laundry
6,422
Meals
4,119
Beds
3,376
Showers
How We Got Started
Stepping Stones Safe Haven opened in January of 2016 after a group of passionate community members recognized the need for dependable shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness in Rutherford County.
Doing Our Research
Dr. John Rudd, Jessica Teter, Kimberly Clarke, Darla Campbell and Ginger Scott spent a good deal of time researching shelter programs.
Communication & Understanding
After spending time with the team at Room in the Inn of Nashville, they felt this was the right program to implement in Murfreesboro.
Perfect Planning
The team worked to find churches who would adopt the model and join the plan.
The Opening
In May of 2016, The Haven opened at 720 Old Salem Rd. The organization added a case manager in 2018 to help guide guests in their journey to finding their right Next Step.
Our Progress
Since January of 2018, Stepping Stones has been open every single night, providing emergency shelter and support.
Still Going Strong
The day shelter is typically open, giving women and children several vital amenities and most importantly, the opportunity to connect with a case manager. In 2021, through a grant from THDA, we added Rapid Rehousing, counseling, childcare, medical needs, etc. Finally, in 2023, we launched our first strategic plan to bring more intention to the work we complete through our ministry.
How Our Program Works
Our Partners |
Our ministry’s program partners with host churches as much as possible to facilitate community engagement and support.
When host churches serve for the evening, guests are transported to the church where they are fed dinner and will sleep for the night.
At 5 PM
Host churches pick them up.
At 7 AM
They are then brought back to the shelter.
we ask guests to arrive by 4pm to complete chores and prepare for pick up.
Special arrangements can be made by talking with the Case Manager.
Our Ministry's Values
Faith - Based Compassion |
Stepping Stones was founded on faith-based principles with an interest in promoting love and a sense of self-worth for every guest served.
We are a REDEEMED people called to serve with grace, love, and mercy. We commit to being a people of prayer, seeking God in all decisions.
We are RESPONSIBLE, guided by trauma-informed services and committed to being authentic and accountable to our clients and stakeholders. We are devoted to continuous improvement and high-quality.
We are RESTORATION-FOCUSED. We seek to be a place of peace and refuge for healing. Our shelter is different, providing an atmosphere of encouragement and support. We provide hospitality that shows God’s love and promotes the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
We are RELATIONAL people with mutual respect for everyone. We seek to build strong connections with others, reflecting a “stronger together” mindset.
We believe our clients and partners are RESILIENT, relying on God’s power to make us fierce, strong and brave. We ask our clients to commit to growth and intentional work and to remain vulnerable to engage in the process.
Our Strategic Plan
Seeking Him in all we do
With the assistance of an independent consultant, we developed this three year plan to strengthen the work of our ministry.
Get Involved
Explore the ways you can help women and women with children in our community experiencing homelessness