FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Looking around the the ranch-style house in Franklin, Tina Edward sees possibility but she also sees a facility that is in desperate need of renovation.
For the better part of four decades, "My Friend's House," has offered support for at-risk boys ages 13 to 18. At any given time the facility is home to up to eight boys who are all under the care of DCS and have been taken out of their parents guardianship for a variety of reasons.
"Some of their backgrounds are horrific. The abuse, some of the things these kids have seen, it's bad," Executive Director Tina Edwards says.
Most kids who end up here stay for anywhere from three to six months. The goal is to eventually reunite them with their families or get them placed in foster care. But the house itself is in constant need of repair. The single pane windows aren't energy efficient and most of the boys sleep two or three to a room.
Ideally, Tina says, each boy would have their own room. Which is why the non-profit is about to break ground on a new house.
"We were just spending too much money to repair this place. It will be a new, bigger home that can accommodate more resources which we'll be able to bring to these kids," she said.
The new facility will cost around $600,000. So far "My Friend's House" has raised about half the cost needed.
"We're just excited, it'll bring a lot more energy to these kids."
