Each year, 800-1,000+ young adults aged 18 to 21 age out of the foster care system in Tennessee (depending on your source).
In 2024, the number was 854, according to a report from WBIR News in Knoxville, Tn. This leaves many of these young adults with no safety net. Without a strong support system in place, many face overwhelming challenges including homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration.
A recent study conducted by Belmont University echoed these findings, stating that, “without proper support 70-80 percent of youth aging out of the system face homelessness, addiction, imprisonment or trafficking by age 21.”
Nathan Harmening realized this was an issue for one of the most vulnerable segments of our society while working as a social worker for Omni Vision assisting those aging out of the system to their next stop on their life’s journey.
Moved by what he saw, he wanted to do something about it.
The initial realization of Harmening’s dream came in 2018, when he broke off from Omni Family of Services to help start the nonprofit organization Omni Family Foundation, which later became I Am Next in July 2024.
I Am Next strives to assist young people between 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system. You can receive assistance even if you were only in the foster care program for a short time.
Even more endearing is the fact that they try to save space for youths who have made mistakes, rather than allowing such things to deny them entry into the program. Of course, this is determined on a case by case basis.
Harmening’s vision of acquiring safe housing for these individuals took a big step forward when in 2024 they received a grant from the Barnes Foundation in the amount of $7,551,529. This grant allowed them to purchase the Greenview Apartments, making the 400 sq. ft. studio apartments available for up to 60 individuals who qualified for the program. Approximately 20 of those units are occupied currently and they are waiting for MDHA to approve vouchers for the remaining units.
In addition to their housing initiatives they have other programs too. In an effort to ensure food security to their clients they’ve partnered with The Store, a non-profit founded by country superstar Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
The I Am Next Driving School takes their students from obtaining a permit to receiving hands on driver training until they obtain a driver’s license, thereby expanding the realm of possibility of what these individuals can accomplish in their lives.
In an effort to build community connections among those they serve, they host monthly workshops with speakers from various businesses in the area. Tractor Supply and Chase Bank are just two recent examples.
It’s not all work though. To build on the “family fun” vibe, they also host events like girls nights where they go see a “chick flick.” On another occasion, participants made their own ice cream and they got to eat what they made. In the upcoming hot summer months they hope to have a swimming event, possibly to local water park Wave Country.
So what are their goals for the future? They’d like to get something together with Workforce Development to to help young adults determine what they want to do with the rest of their lives, whether that involves vocational school or college courses. Additionally, they are currently working to establish a mentorship for those who are enrolled in the program.
With new executive director (as of a week ago) Eric Davis who came to them from Crossroads Campus, I’d say ANYTHING is possible. Especially considering that since 2023, they’ve helped 201 young ones. Now that’s impressive!
As for the guy who started it all he’s still very much involved in the process. He now woks with AGB real estate — the leasing agency for the Greenview community.
Are you interested in the program? Go Iamnext.org to learn more or to apply.
*Information for this article concerning I Am Next was obtained via phone interview from Lizzy Alignamath, Program Manager.