When I attended Nashville Rescue Mission’s 60th Birthday Bash in May of this year, it was a little bit like coming home for me.In 1975, when I started my police career, I was assigned a zone in Downtown Nashville that included the Mission, which, at the time was located on 7th and Demonbreun.
Many things have changed over the years, but one thing that has remained the same is Nashville Rescue Mission’s commitment to helping those who are in need. I always knew if I took someone to the Mission, they would get the help they needed.
As a police officer, my job has been to protect and serve the community. If I encountered someone who needed a little help and wasn’t putting the community at risk, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for me to take them to the Mission. Some people are just down on their luck. They aren’t committing a crime or involved in illegal activities, they just need a temporary place to stay or a meal to fill an empty stomach.
I would hate to think what Nashville would look like without the Mission and the services they provide to this community. Nashville was recently named one of the 25 largest cities in America. I think of our city as the largest small town in America. We are connected community by community—people helping people.
Nashville wouldn’t be the city it is today without Nashville Rescue Mission. There are countless numbers of people who have been helped by the work of its dedicated staff and supporters. Our community is a better place because of what they do in not only caring for those in need, but also addressing the problems that bring people to the Mission’s front door in the first place.
More than that, the Mission actually goes out seeking people who are in need with their Hot Patrol in the summer and their Cold Patrol in the winter. They’ve helped men and women overcome addiction, find gainful employment and move into independent housing. They’ve reunited families.
The staff of the Mission takes the word “rescue” which is a part of this important institution’s name, to heart. They are in the business of saving people.
Chief Steve Anderson, is a 39-year veteran of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. He is a graduate of Belmont University and the Nashville School of Law. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, he served in the United States Air Force and was employed by the White County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office.
Many things have changed over the years, but one thing that has remained the same is Nashville Rescue Mission’s commitment to helping those who are in need. I always knew if I took someone to the Mission, they would get the help they needed.
As a police officer, my job has been to protect and serve the community. If I encountered someone who needed a little help and wasn’t putting the community at risk, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for me to take them to the Mission. Some people are just down on their luck. They aren’t committing a crime or involved in illegal activities, they just need a temporary place to stay or a meal to fill an empty stomach.
I would hate to think what Nashville would look like without the Mission and the services they provide to this community. Nashville was recently named one of the 25 largest cities in America. I think of our city as the largest small town in America. We are connected community by community—people helping people.
Nashville wouldn’t be the city it is today without Nashville Rescue Mission. There are countless numbers of people who have been helped by the work of its dedicated staff and supporters. Our community is a better place because of what they do in not only caring for those in need, but also addressing the problems that bring people to the Mission’s front door in the first place.
More than that, the Mission actually goes out seeking people who are in need with their Hot Patrol in the summer and their Cold Patrol in the winter. They’ve helped men and women overcome addiction, find gainful employment and move into independent housing. They’ve reunited families.
The staff of the Mission takes the word “rescue” which is a part of this important institution’s name, to heart. They are in the business of saving people.
Chief Steve Anderson, is a 39-year veteran of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. He is a graduate of Belmont University and the Nashville School of Law. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, he served in the United States Air Force and was employed by the White County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office.
