Independence Again

01/02/2026

✨ Thank You & We are Looking Ahead! ✨

We may be posting a little late, but we couldn’t let the moment pass without thanking our forever family. 2025 was a year of incredible transitions, and Cookeville continues to amaze me. Every time a need arises, God puts it on your hearts, and together, we make miracles happen. 💛

This year, we navigated a major shift—adjusting 53 program spots in just 8 hours, transitioning all but two staff, and essentially resetting the program in 14 days. If you’ve ever run a business this size, you know this is no small feat—but our forever family made it look effortless. 🙌

We’re not where we want to be yet. Our goal is to be the gold standard for safe housing—free from barriers—for anyone escaping human trafficking, domestic violence, homelessness, substance use, or mental health struggles. And while there’s still work to do, we’re moving at lightning speed. Our volunteers—balancing full-time jobs, families, and late nights—have been painting nearly 13,000 sq ft, hosting meetings, managing case management, and much more. You are nothing short of heroes. 💪

To our supporters: We love you. Not just for showing up when needed, but for showing up in uncertainty, shining light on what needed attention, offering solutions, helping reset, and doing all of this without judgment. You turned moments of stress into opportunities for growth and inspiration. With this family, we will never miss a beat—and that matters because every life counts.

Cookeville Recovery Community, thank you for your support, your prayers, and your endless confidence. Together, we are unstoppable—and lives are better because of it. ❤️

And because I’m in a good-news mood… here’s a glimpse of the impact Independence Again made on our community in 2025 (very rough estimates, still being finalized, hopefully we will have them by April 1):

Resident Income: ~$1,770,000
Resident-Paid Taxes: ~$177,000
Cookeville Sales Tax Generated: ~$73,000
Social & Health Services Savings: ~$11,700,000
Over 75% of residents successfully obtained and maintained health insurance, helping reduce the burden on local healthcare. Even with increased medical needs and fewer residents than usual, we continued to save taxpayers money while providing stability and care to those who need it most.

Our 2026 resolution is simple: save more lives, provide for more people, and expand stability further than ever. Together, we can make it happen. 🌟

Thank you, Cookeville. Thank you, forever family. Together, we are unstoppable.

01/02/2026

Update: Someone suggested we just put the QR Code on here as well, so I had someone make that happen!

We have Job Postings if you or someone you know would be interested. Please take a look and reach out to Lynda at 931-510-9775 or email InAgainTN@Gmail.com. I will attach the detailed Job descriptions for review.

12/03/2025

Hey Facebook friends — We need your help with something important. 💛

One of our female graduates just secured her very own apartment and signs the lease tomorrow. She’s heavily pregnant, has a fun, rough-and-tumble 6-year-old boy, and is starting from scratch. She genuinely needs everything — from toilet paper and hygiene items to beds, towels, kitchen basics, and furniture.

She is good people. She’s working hard, doing things the right way, and choosing to ask for help instead of sitting in shame about where she “should” be. That alone deserves support.

We recently used the last of our stored items helping families after a fire, so we’ve almost got nothing left to pull from. If you have anything you’d like to donate — new or gently used — she will be deeply grateful. Every little bit helps.

Call or text me at 931-510-9775 if you have items to give!
�Let’s rally together and give this mama and her kiddos the hand up they need to start over strong. 💛💪🏽🍼

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.