Husband-and-wife team, Ed and Tiah Grimes share a vision to build a facility in Rutherford County that offers shelter, support and a clear path forward. Their approach is active, structured and outcomes-driven - designed to help individuals move out of homelessness and reengage as stable, productive members of the community. Ed’s background as a former Director at the Nashville Rescue Mission played a key role in shaping that vision. While the Nashville Rescue Mission is a separate entity, it is considered a sister organization due to its shared mission and historical connection. Several foundational concepts for the Murfreesboro Rescue Mission were formed through Ed’s experience there, along with insights drawn from other successful programs across the country.

“We saw some deficiencies and identified the things we didn’t have here,” Ed shared. “I was with the one in Nashville when we started the one in Murfreesboro. This whole journey that Tiah and I are on is a God journey. It is something that God put into our hearts.”

When the couple first began exploring the idea of building a mission in Murfreesboro 13 years ago, the homeless population was estimated at 90 individuals. Today, that number has grown to approximately 360.

The reasons behind this increase are complex. A lack of affordable housing, combined with the rapid growth of the city, has been a significant factor. Local data also indicates that a large portion of individuals experiencing homelessness in Rutherford County are unsheltered, with many having long-standing ties to the community. There is also growing concern about the increasing average age within this population. From the beginning, Ed approached the work with a desire to understand the existing landscape - what services were already in place, where gaps existed and how to respond effectively.

“The best way to understand what is happening in rescue work is to begin walking alongside those in need and trying to connect them to available resources,” he explained.

That approach made one thing clear: meaningful impact would require collaboration, not duplication. The Murfreesboro Rescue Mission was built with a commitment to work alongside other local organizations - supporting and strengthening the network of care already serving the community.

Rather than replicating services, the mission seeks to complement what exists and fill in the gaps where needs remain, while maintaining strong partnerships with organizations such as The Journey Home and others.

At the heart of their vision is the desire to create a facility where individuals are encouraged to take an active role in their own path forward, while receiving shelter, and the support needed to move toward stability.

“What we want to add to what we are already doing is build a shelter where the homeless can transition through a life recovery program,” Ed said. “We are not building a flop house.”

The Grimes have found that the individuals who experience the most success are those willing to engage in that process.

“The most successful individuals we’ve worked with have been those willing to actively engage in their own path toward resolution,” they shared. “If you come to us, we ask that you be willing to participate in the process, invest in your growth and work toward a clear path forward. In return, we walk alongside you, offering shelter, services and supportive resources.”

That vision is already beginning to take shape. Four years ago, they purchased an apartment building off Bridge Avenue with plans for future growth. Two years later, they acquired the adjacent lot, where they now plan to build a 24-hour comprehensive shelter that will support life recovery and transitional living programs. The existing apartment complex will remain in place as part of that broader vision, serving as a supportive next step for individuals moving through the program and working toward long-term stability.

“We are calling the apartment complex a Christian Community Supporting Sobriety,” Ed noted. “This reflects our commitment to maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free environment that supports individuals seeking a healthier way of life. The current residents, who were living here prior to our ownership, contribute to a strong and positive community that we value and plan to continue.”

While the full facility is still in development, the Grimes are actively working alongside local partners - including The Journey Home, Cold Patrol, First Baptist Church (E. Main Murfreesboro) and Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church - to provide support, particularly during the coldest months of the year. These collaborative efforts help meet immediate needs, though seasonal programs often end when temperatures rise. Their long-term vision is different.

The Grimes are committed to coming alongside individuals as they pursue stability, with a focus on dignity, partnership and empowerment. Through shelter, services and supportive opportunities, individuals are encouraged to build a better life within the community.

Ed brings more than three decades of Christian service to this work, including 15 years in rescue ministry at the Nashville Rescue Mission. During his time there, he served in multiple leadership roles, including second shift supervisor for the Anchor Home, Director of Education, Head Chaplain and Director of Guest Services. He also served on the Mission’s Executive Leadership Team for more than five years.

Tiah plays a critical role in shaping the Mission’s programs through research and data. A public health professional with experience in epidemiology and mental health initiatives, she conducts independent research to inform program development. Her work with the mission includes analyzing shelter operations, client demographics and service utilization, as well as implementing systems for client management and data tracking.

At the Tennessee Department of Health, she previously worked within the Surveillance Systems and Informatics program, collaborating with program directors to update disease reporting guidelines. She now serves as an Epidemiologist in a Program Manager role with the Mental Health First Aid team and holds multiple certifications through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

In addition to her technical expertise, Tiah brings a perspective shaped by public health and a deep commitment to ensuring that the Mission’s approach remains both compassionate and structured focused not only on meeting immediate needs, but on helping individuals move toward lasting stability through intentional support and empowerment.

The Grimes know they are fighting an uphill battle because people fear that their dream facility will draw more individuals experiencing homelessness to the area. But across the country, approaches to addressing homelessness are shifting. Where past efforts often focused on temporary solutions, today’s models are centered on addressing underlying causes and creating pathways to long-term stability.

For the Grimes, that is the goal: developing programs that provide the skills, training and support individuals need to achieve stability - and sustain it. Because at the heart of their work is a simple belief: when people are given the opportunity, support and structure to move forward, lasting change is possible.