Mission and History 

Mission

The mission of the Woodbine Community Organization is to preserve the character of our neighborhood by:

• Improving living conditions of residents in the area, especially low- and moderate-income families.
• Improving communications and cooperation of area residents regardless of age, race or national origin.
• Providing residents of the area with access to decision-making processes of city, state and federal government.
• Eliciting input and assistance from members of the business and civic community. 
• Assisting in the provision of decent and affordable housing to low-and moderate-income persons.
• Helping new Americans become assimilated into the American culture without losing their native cultures.

History

The Woodbine Community Organization is a nonprofit organization that was chartered in 1985. Its history and purpose are in many ways tied to the vision of one of its

founders: Fannie Williams.

Fannie Williams was affectionately known simply as Miss Fannie. She is remembered for her long life of service to the Woodbine community and Nashville. She was 107 years old when she passed away in October 2001.

Through her eyes, Miss Fannie saw the world as a wonderful blend of people of different colors, of different means, of different classes and all were equal.

Her tenacity won food for the hungry and health services for the poor. Fed up with the lack of sewers and the consequent flooding problems in Woodbine, she once took a bucket of water to Metro and put it on an administrator's desk. Miss Fannie said defiantly, "I've lived with this for 90 years, now you live with it."

Through her determination, she founded the Woodbine Community Center in 1955. It was an outgrowth of an active sewing circle in which she participated. Miss Fannie was also a talented and accomplished quilt maker.

When the Woodbine community faced neighborhood deterioration in the 1980s, she led an integrated group of neighbors to form Woodbine Community Organization. This non-profit group is now housed in a school building that Miss Fannie helped save from the wrecking ball.

Most importantly, through her love and commitment, Miss Fannie showed us that anything is possible when a community works together.

Today, information about the many programs at Woodbine Community Organization is distributed in both English and Spanish. An estimated 350 Latinos and a total of 500 people a day receive support from programs at Woodbine Community Organization.

Board and Staff 2010

Steering Committee

Members:

Davy Heckman, Chair
Glen Page, Secretary
Don Ivancic, Treasurer
Bob Whitley, Membership Chair
Jessica Leveen-Farr, Housing Chair
Steve Olsen, Finance Chair
Mary Gormley, Personnel Chair

At Large Members:

Carla Jarrell
Jody Derrick
Floyd Shechter

Staff:

Cathie Dodd, Executive Director

Tony Woodham, Deputy Executive Director

Kim Bradshaw, Housing Specalist

Kiki Walker, Office Associate

Multifamily Housing:
Troy Fisher, Property Manager/ Maintenance
Steven Harrell, Property Maintenance
John Sharp, Property Maintenance

Housing Services:

Rod Williams, Senior Housing Counselor
Stephanie Rolark, Service Coordinator/ Counselor
Pattie Hall, Counselor
David Morales, Counselor

English as a Second Language Program:

Fred Linkenhoker, Advanced ESL Instructor
Monica O'Mally, Beginning to Intermediate ESL Instructor