Serve | Community

OUR MISSION

Restoration Hope is dedicated to fostering hope and healing for youth in urgent need of emergency housing through a comprehensive transitional mentorship program. We serve young people displaced by foster care, juvenile court involvement, or challenging school environments by providing trauma-informed support, faith-based counseling, life skills education, and career training. Our mission is to empower each participant to build resilience, achieve independence, and pursue a brighter future in a safe, nurturing environment.

Who We Are

At Restoration Hope, we are deeply committed to bringing hope and healing to young people through our Transitional Housing Mentorship Program. Our program is specifically designed to support youth in critical need of emergency placement, those displaced from foster care, recommended for support by the juvenile court system, or facing significant challenges in city schools from homelessness.

We understand the complex emotional and psychological struggles many of our participants have endured. That’s why our program offers a comprehensive range of essential services tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Our specialized assistance includes behavior and trauma management, delivered by a dedicated staff trained to help youth build coping strategies, resilience, and a strong sense of inner stability.

Faith-based counseling plays a vital role in our approach, fostering personal growth, spiritual development, and emotional support. We believe that integrating faith encourages true transformation and recovery.

Our life skills classes equip participants with critical tools for independent living, covering financial literacy, communication, and conflict resolution. We also emphasize education, ensuring our youth have access to quality schooling and academic excellence.

Career training is another cornerstone of our program. Through local partnerships, we provide internships, job shadowing, and vocational training designed to boost employability and confidence.

At Restoration Hope, we are dedicated to creating an environment where hope can flourish and healing becomes possible. We empower our participants to envision and pursue brighter futures because every young person deserves the chance to thrive.

THE HARD TRUTH OF WHO WE ARE SERVING
in statistics

Opioid Prescription Rates in Tennessee

In 2022, Tennessee ranked 6th highest in the nation for opioid prescriptions per capita, with 61.5 prescriptions per 100 people, well above the national average of 39.5. ONE Tennessee

Historically, Tennessee held the 2nd highest opioid prescribing rate, with 142.8 prescriptions per 100 residents. Wikipedia CDC

Foster Care Entries & System Instability

Children entering foster care in Tennessee increased by approximately 10.3% since 2016, largely driven by the opioid crisis.

News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF)

Tennessee now experiences the highest foster care instability in the nation. About 34% of children entering foster care are placed in three or more homes within their first year, far exceeding the national average of 14.9%. Reddit

Current Foster Family Availability in Tennessee

Tennessee currently has approximately 5,000 approved and licensed foster families who are actively providing homes for children in state custody. Governors Initiative

Meanwhile, there are over 8,000 children and youth in foster care throughout the state, highlighting a notable gap between supply and demand.

https://www.wvlt.tv Belmont University Governors Initiative

A recent study further confirms that 861 youth aged out of the foster care system in the last year, underscoring ongoing pressure on foster resources and the need for long-term support systems.

Belmont University https://www.wsmv.com

The number of youth aging out without adequate support potentially facing homelessness, addiction, or instability further emphasizes the critical role organizations like Restoration Hope play in providing transitional housing, mentorship, and stability.

Aging Out of Foster Care: Key Statistics

Over 20,000 youth age out of the U.S. foster care system each year

Sevita Blog The Global Statistics.

Homelessness rates are alarmingly high:
- 20–25% become instantly homeless within two years of aging out The Global Statistics Child Bridge.
- 50% experience housing instability or homelessness at some point, often within the first year The Global Statistics WIFI Talents.
Mental health challenges are widespread:
- Around 25% suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) double the rate among war veterans NFYI - National Foster Youth Institute Wikipedia.
- Up to 80% require mental health services, highlighting the trauma they’ve endured The Global Statistics.
Educational outcomes are disheartening:
- Less than 3% of youth who age out ever earn a college degree
- NFYI - National Foster Youth Institute James Storehouse.
Teen pregnancy among females is notably high:
- Approximately 70% become pregnant by age 21

NFYI - National Foster Youth Institute James Storehouse.

Public School Students Experiencing Homelessness in Tennessee

According to data from the National Center for Homeless Education for Tennessee:

In school year 2019–20, 18,482 homeless students were enrolled in public schools; in 2020–21, the number dropped to 14,386. Nche Profiles

In 2021–22, Tennessee’s public school homelessness rate was approximately 1.8%, compared to the national average of around 2.4%. America's Health Rankings

Detailed breakdowns by living situation (e.g., unsheltered, doubled up, in motels) weren't readily available for Tennessee in recent years.

Homelessness in Tennessee (General)

Recent reports did not include unaccompanied young adults (18–24). A 2025 report did note a 37% increase in homelessness in Northeast Tennessee, with a 29% increase in Kingsport alone, but that pertains to the broader adult population and not necessarily youth-specific figures. WCYB

Public school homelessness: 18,482 in 2019–20; 14,386 in 2020–21; 1.8% rate in 2021–22 for Tennessee.

Tennessee Homelessness & Supportive Housing

Supportive Housing Saves Money & Stabilizes Tenants: Nationwide research shows that permanent supportive housing is both cost-effective and improves long-term housing retention, with retention rates reaching up to 95% after one year versus only 47% under traditional shelter models. These models also reduce reliance on hospitals, jails, and emergency services. Wikipedia

Tennessee Context

Although updated Tennessee-specific figures are not readily available, historical data from 2019 shows significant child and young adult homelessness, and federal trends strongly support that scaling supportive housing is both effective and cost-saving.

School Crime Trends in Tennessee

School-based violence continues at high rates, driven largely by impulsive behavior and use of personal weapons. (2022–2023)

In 2022, Simple Assault was the most frequently reported offense across Tennessee elementary and secondary schools, accounting for 38.26% of school-related incidents. Tennessee State Government

Personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) were the most commonly used, involved in 76.34% of reported cases in 2022 and had slightly increased to 77.29% in 2023. Tennessee State Government+1

Gender breakdown of offenders in 2022 showed males composed 59.47%, and females 31.62%, with a small percentage categorized as unknown or missing. Tennessee State Government