OUR MISSION

To provide a safe, comfortable environment for women and children seeking shelter and connect them with resources to help change their lives.

HISTORY OF BROOKS HOUSE

Before his untimely death, Brooks Franklin, a reporter for the Lebanon Democrat, researched the homeless population in Wilson County and wrote several award winning articles on the subject. These feature stories made the community aware of the size and plight of the homeless population and especially the need for temporary shelter for women and children in our local area.

It became the mission of a diverse group to create a shelter in Wilson County to help this segment of our population. Out of this mission a new non-profit corporation, Community Homeless Outreach and Support Inc. was formed. Doing business as Brooks House, in honor of Brooks Franklin, this group purchased and renovated a property on Virginia Avenue.

In March of 2007, the Board of Directors named Liz Reese as the first Director of Brooks House. Liz’s knowledge of available resources in the community and her diverse work experience at Tenn Care, Tenant Healthcare, and Walmart made her the unanimous candidate for this position.

Liz has served on several community boards, including:

Board of Director of Habitat of Wilson County 2008-2013
Board of Directors for Lebanon Housing Authority 2008-Present
Board of Trustee University Medical Center 2014-Present
Member of Leadership Wilson Class of 2008

Liz has been acknowledged in our community with awards including:

• The Resilience Award from TN Workforce for her work with Hurricane Katrina victims
• 2008 Humanitarian Award for Wilson County Civic League
• Governor’s Volunteer Award for Wilson County
• Honored by the Red Cross for her work through Hurricane Katrina & Gusta
• Commended by the Wilson County Commissioner for her dedication to the community and citizens of Wilson County

With the compassion of Christ in her heart for others, Liz has been making a difference for women and children at Brooks House for many years. Liz Reese is fulfilling her dream of operating a homeless shelter. She has successfully provided housing and resources to women and children seeking a “hand up” not a “hand out.”