People Loving Nashville

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Ryan Lampa, Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, a nonprofit organization serving the unhoused and most vulnerable of Nashville, Tennessee. During the interview, Ryan shares the history of the organization, which started 17 years ago, and discusses how it has evolved and grown into three programs, a staff of 15 and an army of volunteers serving about 400 people each week. The organization also now includes a social enterprise with a coffee roaster and coffee shop downtown, Paradeisos Coffee Company, that provides job opportunities for those going through the program. Ryan details their three programs, Monday Night Street Outreach, Homefullness, and Restoration Program, and discusses how they are centered on the pillars of Relief, Community, Connection, and Restoration. He talks about some of the many sides, complexities and situations that lead to homelessness and how it impacts individuals and families, and emphasizes the importance of building relationships with dignity, grace and understanding. Ryan shares a success story of a couple who were once homeless and now in their restoration program, and he shares some lessons and advice for other organizations and cities looking to serve their unhoused communities, noting the importance of presence and margin in serving others. Ryan discusses the power of community engagement and the need for volunteers to help serve the unhoused community, and how the time spent and relationships formed will transform the lives of volunteers, as well. He wraps up encouraging the community to get involved by volunteering, buying coffee from their coffee shop, or attending their events, including their "Smoke on the Water" event taking place May 19, 2025. Visit https://www.peoplelovingnashville.com to learn more and get involved with People Loving Nashville. https://www.facebook.com/Peoplelovingnashville/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplelovingnashville/