Belmont Serves Neighbors Through ‘A Brush with Kindness’

A dedication ceremony and block party were held Sunday in the Edgehill neighborhood to celebrate four homes that have completed the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness” beautification and revitalization program for low-income and elderly homeowners. Habitat partnered on this project with Belmont University, eight area churches, Metropolitan Housing and Development Agency and Fifth-Third Bank. In addition, dozens of Belmont students, faculty and staff volunteered their labor in repairing and restoring the properties, working on exterior maintenance and revitalization on the four homes located at 1017 Summit Ave.,1025 Summit Ave., 1024 Wade Ave. 1111 Argyle Ave.

Belmont’s Director of Community Relations Joyce Searcy said, “This pilot project was an opportunity for Belmont University to work alongside our neighbors as we transform our neighborhood. Not only did we renovate homes, we built relationships. It was so exciting to watch as Belmont students, staff and faculty interacted and learned from the homeowners, community church members and each other. A Brush With Kindness is only the beginning. Belmont University will be collaborating with the Christian community in our neighborhood to meet needs and improve the quality of life in our area.”

Patterned after a Habitat for Humanity International program of the same name, A Brush with Kindness offers painting, landscaping, weather stripping and minor repair services for homes in need. The program serves homeowners who struggle with maintenance and helps them reclaim their homes with pride and dignity.

In addition to Belmont, MDHA and Fifth-Third Bank, the following area churches also served as sponsors on the project: Belmont Church, Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Christ Temple Church, Southside Community Church, Kayne Avenue Baptist Church, Tabernacle of Glory Church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church and John Wesley United Methodist Church.
Each participating community organization contributed funds and volunteers to this $50,000 project. Improvements were made at no cost to the homeowners. Homeowner applicants were selected based on income, need and willingness to partner. Click here to view more photos from the project.