Mission & History

Help right here, right now.

That's what Metropolitan Ministries has provided for the past three decades. We know what helps. We know how to help.

Metropolitan Ministries began as a mission venture of the Episcopal Commission of Southeast Tennessee in 1979, operating out of Christ Church, a local downtown parish. The founders' goal was to answer the calls for emergency financial assistance to those in our community who just can't make it, for whatever reasons. Partnering with other developing initiatives, new organizations were created collaboratively to provide a safety-net for those among us who had exhausted all other options.

The number of those in our community who are on the verge of homelessness has seen a dramatic increase during these three decades. At every step, Metropolitan Ministries has risen to the challenge, creating partnerships and finding resources to continue providing help right here, right now for those with no where left to turn.

Metropolitan Ministries' continuing mission is to receive with dignity and respect all who come to us by providing them the emotional and physical help needed. The Ministry offers them the opportunity to gain deeper faith in themselves and hope for their own futures as independent, contributing members of the community.

Ministry volunteers and staff serve as our clients' mediators and advocates, negotiating with their vendors and making payments that help keep them from joining the ranks of the homeless. Our clients are encouraged to meet with the Ministry’s Supportive Services Coordinator, who works hard to enroll them in a number of programs that can help ensure longer-term stability.

In 2009, Metropolitan Ministries celebrated 30 years of assisting clients from all over Southeastern Tennessee and North Georgia, and sometimes from Alabama and North Carolina, as well. It was a record-breaking year, with almost 8,000 clients served at a direct client service cost of over $282,000.

You might have met some of our clients. You might even work or worship with them. They need food. They can no longer pay their rent or their mortgage payments. They can't afford the life-sustaining medication their doctors prescribe. Like you, they are overwhelmed with their soaring utility costs. When they come to Metropolitan Ministries for help, they are usually one payment away from joining the growing ranks of our region's homeless population. Over two-thirds of our clients are women, often single parents raising children or grandchildren alone.

At Metropolitan Ministries we believe that access to the basic necessities - food, shelter, necessary medications - is everyone's right. What sets Metropolitan Ministries apart is the way our clients are treated, each and every one with dignity, respect, and kindness.

In this new decade, Metropolitan Ministries is stronger than ever, with an engaged and expert Board of Directors, a dedicated and expert staff, and a corps of over 30 volunteers. Our community partnerships are stronger than ever. Our response to those who turn to us is stronger than ever, and with God's help, will be even more vibrant in the decades to come.

Times have changed, but Metropolitan Ministries' mission and vision have not. We respond. We help, right here, right now when the need is the greatest.

Metropolitan Ministries is 501(C)3 organization of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. Click here to donate now.