Independence Again

11/23/2025

I am so thankful for all the “forever family” I got to spend the day with. From the turkey to the corn salad, everything was absolutely wonderful. The company, the meal, and the celebration were all perfect.
What a beautiful way to spend the day. To the more than 50 people we had the joy of celebrating with—thank you for sharing your time with us and making this season truly amazing!

11/21/2025

🚨 URGENT CALL TO ACTION: PUTNAM COUNTY & BEYOND 🚨

January is coming fast—and with it, the annual PIT (Point-in-Time) Count, the one day each year when teams across Tennessee spread out to count, support, and connect with our unhoused neighbors.

But here’s the truth:
Homelessness is not a lifestyle. It’s survival. It’s a moment when life has gone off-track and stability feels out of reach. And this is exactly when community must show up.

💥 This year, we’re stepping up in a big way—and we need YOU.
Putnam County (with Cookeville Community Cares leading this year’s count) and our partners in neighboring counties are working hard to provide backpacks and critical winter-proofing supplies during the PIT Count. These items are not accessories—they are lifelines.

🎒 Our #1 need right now (this will evolve over the months): BACKPACKS.
But we also urgently need:
• Warm socks
• Hand warmers
• Easy-open, shelf-stable food (pop-top cans)
• Other basic survival items
Every single donation helps someone make it through the cold day—and for many, that day is a battle.

Here’s the big picture:
In the Upper Cumberland alone, we expect to need 600+ backpacks for people who are unsheltered, car-housed, or couch-surfing.
✨ Yes, it’s a big number.
✨ Yes, it’s a huge task.
But Cookeville shows up—we always have. We’re a community. A wild, messy, beautiful family that looks after our own and beyond.

If your heart is tugging you to help, message us. We’ll do our best to connect you with the right county, the right team, or place your donation directly into the hands of someone who needs it most.

❤️ Your generosity can offer just a moment of stability to someone who hasn’t felt it in far too long.

Thank you for being part of the solution for 2026.

11/01/2025

🎄✨ Mark your calendars — Santa’s Workshop is almost here!

Join Independence Again Nov. 14–16 for three days of fun, food, and giving back.
We’ll be serving up our award-winning chili, Merry Me Chicken, and the crowd-favorite authentic Chicago Dog, plus a few new soon-to-be classics!

📍 Santa’s Workshop Schedule:
🗓 Friday, Nov. 14: 10 AM – 7 PM
🗓 Saturday, Nov. 15: 10 AM – 7 PM (Mr. & Mrs. Claus 12–4 PM)
🗓 Sunday, Nov. 16: 11 AM – 4 PM (Grinch 12–2 PM)
🎁 Bonus Selfies with the featured guests are FREE with event admission! Along with over 180 amazing vendors!

❤️ 100% of proceeds help provide shelter and healing for individuals overcoming trauma, abuse, and homelessness.

10/30/2025

Support Recovery Kitchen – Feeding Our Community
Recovery Kitchen provides meals for the Putnam County and maintains a pantry for individuals and families in need. If you’re looking to support a boots-on-the-ground organization that serves real, home-cooked meals to our community, please consider donating food or funds to Recovery Kitchen.

Your donation—no matter the size—goes directly to providing meals and essential items to those experiencing hunger, including the homeless, shut-ins, and anyone in need, regardless of their circumstances.

To make a contribution, click the Donate button at independenceagain.org.�Together, we can make sure no one in Putnam County goes hungry.

Safe, stable, sober living and addiction services at affordable weekly rate. Support with employment, transportation and recovery needs.

10/20/2025

Independence Again expresses our deepest condolences to all those impacted by the recent tragic loss of life of a person seeking recovery in Cookeville.

Although our program and organization operates independently and under a different structure, this loss resonates deeply across the entire recovery community and our hearts are affected deeply!

The journey of recovery is not an easy one. It is a path filled with courage, vulnerability, and determination from those working every day to rebuild their lives. As leaders, mentors, and peers in this community, we are reminded of the critical importance of compassion, emotional support, and mutual respect within every recovery environment.

This tragedy serves as a somber reminder that our work extends beyond treatment and structure—it is about nurturing trust, safety, and connection. From law enforcement to the person pickign up a white chip for the 30th tome! We encourage everyone within the recovery field to continue offering understanding and stability to those who may now feel fear, grief, or uncertainty.

At Independence Again, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide a safe, respectful, and empowering space for recovery. Our hearts go out to the men directly impacted, to their families, and to the broader community who will rally together in healing.

We stand united with all individuals dedicated to helping others reclaim their lives—committed to learning, growing, and supporting one another as we move forward together. I hope we can be here for anyone who needs us even if it is just to simply be voice of compassion in a time of need. But if more is needed we are here where we are able!

Together we all make a difference and is more true now than ever!e

10/14/2025

*Update: we have located a bed thank you for everyone who reached out to offer supoort in a time of need! You are valued and respcted!

🛏️ Independence Again is looking for a full-size (or larger) bed donation for one of our residents who is transitioning.

If you have a bed that you no longer need—or one that’s just taking up space in storage—we would be so grateful for your donation! 💙
Your generosity helps someone start their next chapter with comfort and dignity.
Please message us if you’re able to help or know someone who might!
ae

10/03/2025

Friends, I need to ask for prayers meditation or positive energy. Yesterday, I opened our utility bills and nearly fell over. The water bill alone had jumped by more than $900 at one of our locations. After some digging, I found out there’s been a pretty major leak at one of our houses. The utilitie company told me it started atime after August 2 —so now we’re looking at another bill next month that could be as high as $1,500 (best guess based on when we think this could have happened)
That means we could be facing an extra $2,500 in water bills alone plust repairs for just two months—definitely not something we planned or budgeted for. Please keep us in your prayers & thoughtd—pray for clarity, for provision, and maybe even a miracle. At this point, I’ll take prayers to the water gods too. 🙏💧

09/16/2025

Before I found healing, bad habits controlled me. Today, I replaced a harmful habit with a good one—I asked for help from someone who wants me to succeed. 💙

09/15/2025

“After months and months of saving, I moved into my own apartment. 🏠 This is MY space, my fresh beginning.”

09/13/2025

💔 Today, we remember lives lost to violence and celebrate those that were saved. Fact: Domestic violence is a leading cause of death for women in the U.S. Learn the signs and intervene safely.

09/12/2025

"Over 20 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders. Recovery is possible, and help is available."