Blount County is largely rural, with a few small towns, and has no other shelter for families, despite ten families a month seeking shelter at the county's lone referral center for people in need of housing.

Robert Sliker and two young volunteers help to renovate the day center before opening day.

The Affiliate opens with 11 host congregations and a day center at Green Meadow Methodist Church, and director Mandy Atkins.  Sycamore Tree UMC of Maryville was the first host congregation to open its doors to guests, a couple with a teenaged son.  Caught in the middle of a dispute between the owner of the home in which they were living and the owner of the land the home was on, they were without a lease and were summarily evicted through no fault of their own.  They have been delighted at the extent of hospitality afforded them, and eagerly started job searches with the help of Affiliate staff. 

Volunteers participating in their first training session.