The Porchlight January/February 2022
Important Reminders for Our Residents
- Rent is due on the 1st and late after the 10th and late fees will apply
- Reddick Street rent is late after the 5th and late fees will apply
Black History Month Information
Franklin Housing Authority Celebrates Black History Month
Did you know that...
Benjamin Banneker invented the almanac in 1791
Alexander Miles invented the elevator in 1867
Thomas Marshall invented the fire extinguisher in 1872
Osbourn Dorsey invented the doorknob and door stop in 1878
Sarah Boone invented the ironing board in 1887
Walter B. Purvis invented the fountain pen in 1890
Paul L. Downing invented the mailbox in 1891
Thomas W. Stewart invented the mop in 1893
George W. Carver invented peanut butter in 1896
Alfred L. Cralle invented the ice cream scoop in 1897
Lydia O. Newman invented the hairbrush in 1898
Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask in 1914
Garret Morgan invented the traffic light in 1923
Charles Drew invented the blood plasma bag in 1945
Frederick M. Jones invented the air conditioning unit in 1949
George T. Sampson invented the clothes dryer in 1971
These are just a view of the black inventors that have contributed to history. There are many more inventions that were created by black people.
Williamson County Black History Facts
Did you know that...
The house located at 253 Natchez Street, Franklin, TN that was once owned by Ruth Gaylor served as a resting place for black travelers during the Jim Crow segregation. This home was advertised as "Mrs. E. B. Gaylor Guest House" through the pages of the Negro Motorist's Green Book, published from 1936 to 1966 by Victor H. Green.
Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 255 Natchez Street, Franklin, TN celebrated 153 years, and this year will celebrate 154 years.
The McLemore House, formerly known as the Harvey McLemore House is located at 446 11th Avenue N. Franklin, TN. This was the home of former slave Harvey McLemore, who became a successful farmer. For five (or seven) generations, from 1880 to 1997, it was owned by the same family. Please take time out to visit the McLemore House.
Merrill-Williams House located at 264 Natchez was owned by a former slave Moses Merrill. The property was later transferred to Tom Williams, son of Franklin's first Black business owner, A. N. C. Williams. During the Battle of Franklin, the property was part of the federal line.
There were three Williamson County residents that were Tuskegee Airmen, John Patton (Franklin), Robert Murdic (Franklin), Dr. Joseph C. White (Brentwood)
The African American Heritage Society of Williamson County Presents
The Wilson Family: Through Bondage and Beyond Freedom
The African-American Heritage Society of Williamson County proudly presents The Wilson Family: Through Bondage and Beyond Freedom, a pictorial family history exhibit, featuring the story of Nelson Wilson, Sr., and his family, as told through historical documents and photographs. Love, togetherness, and perseverance are at the heart of the Wilson Family's arduous journey through bondage and beyond freedom. Please go and visit the special exhibit on display in the Special Collections Department of the Williamson County Public Library throughout the month of February, located on the second floor at the Williamson County Library, 1314 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064.
FHA Community Center Rental
FHA Community Center Rentals are on hold until further notice
FHA Office Closures
January 17th, 2022 - Martin Luther King Birthday Observance
February 21st, 2022 - Presidents Day
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program
Start the new year with a fresh start by participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency Workshops!
Everyone has a moment in life where they need to pause, re-evaluate, make a plan, and take action. The Franklin Housing Authority Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Workshop will assist you with your goals and provide you with the resources and knowledge to execute a plan for success.
If you are a public housing resident or received a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) from Franklin Housing Authority, you are eligible for the Family Self Sufficiency Program.
Why should I take the time to participate in the FSS workshop? The workshops will provide you with a wealth of information, resources, and resource connections to assist you in becoming a homeowner or just skills to apply to everyday life, as well as your financial living.
What do you mean? During the workshops, you will learn ways to budget, save, invest and have the ability to speak with professionals in the financial field, as well as realtors, mortgagers, and many more professionals.
Do I need a job or need to be employed? Not initially, but to graduate from the program you must be employed and off of any cash assistant programs for a consecutive 12 months prior to becoming a homeowner, renter, or completing your goal. The FSS Coordinator will be able to provide you with resources to career agencies needing employees. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to create, revise or build on your career resume. As well as, develop a relationship with a professional recruiter for employers.
What should I do to prepare myself to move out of public housing or use my HCV voucher for my own home? The FSS workshop will provide you with the knowledge needed to make good decisions with obtaining a realtor, mortgager, appraiser, and inspector. As well as, knowledge of the mortgage loan processes and types of mortgage loans.
The primary focus of the program is to give motivated public housing & HCV residents a chance to move from public housing /rental property to market-rate private housing or apartment and give their families an opportunity to experience living life to the fullest.
The FSS workshop will be held eight times during 2022 year. Each workshop will be an hour in duration and held once a month starting January and completed in the month of October 2022. The FSS workshops will not be held during the months of June, July, November, or December. Participants are encouraged to meet one on one to review goals during the months that there is no workshop. Please refer to the FSS Workshop Calendar below.
2022 FSS Homeownership Workshop Schedule from 6 pm to 7 pm
January 18, 2022
May 17, 2022
February 15, 2022
August 16, 2022
March 15, 2022
September 20, 2022
April 19, 2022
October 18, 2022
If you are interested in the Family Self Sufficiency Program please call FSS Coordinator Chris Ward, 615-794-1247 ext. 213, and/or email Chris Ward.
A special thank you to all the partners that served with FSS Coordinator and Social Service Department in 2021!
Good Neighbor Foundation, Bancorp South Bank, Franklin Church of Christ, First Missionary Baptist Church-Anthony Pickett, Williamson County Department of Health, The American Job Center, Mercy Community Health, Grace Works, Columbia State Community College, Operation Hope, Habitat for Humanity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Psi Phi Zeta Chapter of Williamson County.
A Special Thank You to the FHA Program Coordination Committee!
The Future is Ours Scholarship Program
The Future is OURS (FOURS) Scholarship is designed to help fill the gaps that other awarded grants and scholarships may not cover toward a student's college education. The funds are available to be used during the time a student is enrolled in some form of higher education (2yr, 4yr, or trade school). All students that successfully complete the program are granted a minimum of $1,000 per year of higher education and up to $5,000 per year. All high school students living within Franklin Housing Authority are eligible and must meet the criteria of being listed on the current lease, earn a minimum of 295 cumulative points throughout their four years of high school, and must enroll and attend a U.S. post-secondary institution directly after high school graduation.
- Assistance is given to the senior participants in completing the TN Promise and FAFSA
- Assistance in enrolling into colleges, universities, or trade schools
- College tours are taken during summer break
- Participants are to attend the Williamson County College Fair which is held in September.
- Community Service resources and opportunities will be provided
- Exposure to cultural events and art
- Mentoring......and much more
If you have an upcoming freshman or a high school student and would like to learn more about the Franklin Housing Collaborative Future is OURS Scholarship Program. Please do not hesitate to contact Chris Ward at 100 Spring Street or 615-794-1247 ext. 213.
FHA Social Services Educational Information
Begin Anew-GED training, computer classes, and ESL, 1350 West Main Street, Franklin, TN, office# 615-977-8908, website: beginanew.org.
Workforce Essentials- High School Equivalency Diploma (Hi-set), computer classes, and ESL, 118 Seaboard Lane, Franklin, TN, office# 615-790-3311, website: workforceessentials.com.
Columbia State Community Community College- 2-year college, 1228 Liberty Pike, Franklin, TN, office# 615-790-440, website: williamsoncampus@columbiastate.edu.
Franklin Special School District-507 New Highway 96 West, Franklin, TN, 615-794-6624 www.fssd.org.
FHA Social Services Health Information
Educare Counseling Center-Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center-382 Natchez Street, Franklin, TN, 615-905-5182, website: https://educareprograms.org.
Periscope Community Health Services-Mental & Behavioral Health Services-167 Belle Forest Circle, Nashville, TN, 901-500-2574 or 615-805-5300, website: https://periscopechs.com
Williamson County Health Department- 1324 W Main Street, Franklin, TN, office# 615-794-1542, website: http://williamsoncounty-tn.gov.
Mercy Community Healthcare-1113 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN, 615-790-0567, website: mercytn.org
Williamson County Medical Center-4321 Carothers Pkwy, Franklin, TN, 615-435-5000, website: https://williamsonmedicalcenter.org
Upcoming Community Events
Community Upcoming Events: January 15th- Food Give Away-One Gen Away @ 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Centennial High School, 5050 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN.
January 22- Food Give Away-One Gen Away @ 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Columbia State Community College, 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN.
Employment
Franklin Special School District - In-Person and Virtual Recruitment Fair
Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 9 AM - 11 AM
In-person: Freedom Intermediate School 840 Glass Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
Virtual: Zoom link available at www.fssd.org
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