Hands On Nashville | Our Programs

Sustainability at Hands On Nashville

Hands On Nashville offers a variety of programs that help meet community needs and engage specific groups in volunteerism. HON established each of these programs upon identifying specific needs in the community that could be addressed through volunteerism.

Urban Farm

Hands On Nashville's Urban Farm serves as a resource for volunteers to grow gardening skills, learn about urban agriculture, and help provide nutritious food for others. To read more, click here.

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Home Energy Savings (HES)

The Home Energy Savings (HES) Program engages volunteers to improve the energy efficiency of homes owned by Nashvillians living on low incomes. Through HES, volunteers install improvements that increase comfort and decrease utility costs, resulting in an average savings of $390 per year* for HES residents. Since 2011, homeowners have saved more than $275,000 (based on utility bill analysis) thanks to Hands On Nashville volunteers.

Utility assistance is one of the greatest unmet community needs for Nashvillians: Metro Social Services reports that ‘housing-cost burdened’ homeowners dedicate more than 30% of their income towards housing related expenses. The HES Program seeks to address that need through volunteerism, serving homeowners earning an average of 50% below the city’s median family income.

HES PROJECTS: LEARN WHILE YOU SERVE

Volunteering is not only an opportunity to help a neighbor; it's an opportunity to learn something new. The HON team teaches both volunteers and homeowners simple ways to make homes more energy efficient. During HES projects, volunteers:

Insulate attics

Seal windows and doors

Install low-flow water fixtures, LED light bulbs, and more

Restoration Volunteer leaders

Restoration Volunteer Leaders manage environmental projects including waterway cleanups, invasive species removal, and tree planting with local nonprofits and community partners.